Traditional cybersecurity obsolete — Tech firm chief

Traditional cybersecurity systems are no longer sufficient to combat today’s increasingly sophisticated cyber threats, according to Gogolook Philippines Country Head Mel Migriño.

Speaking at the Gen AI Summit Philippines 2025 held at the Sheraton Hotel in Parañaque City, Migriño emphasized the need for companies to invest in advanced cybersecurity solutions.

“Cybersecurity is another critical domain where AI is proving indispensable,” she said, noting the rising incidents of scams, fraud, disinformation, and deepfakes.

The summit focused on how artificial intelligence is reshaping enterprise transformation, national security, and economic development. Migriño explained how AI can strengthen cybersecurity by analyzing network traffic in real time, detecting anomalies, and automatically responding to threats—making it a constant and proactive defender of digital systems.

The Department of Information and Communications Technology recently reported blocking 5.4 million malicious attempts against 32 government agencies linked to national security, further underscoring the urgency of cybersecurity upgrades.

Migriño also backed the government’s efforts to turn the Philippines into a regional AI hub through the National AI Strategy Roadmap (NAISR 2.0). Launched in 2023 by the Department of Trade and Industry and supported by the Asian Development Bank, NAISR 2.0 builds upon the 2021 roadmap and integrates developments like generative AI, while emphasizing ethics and governance.

“As we embrace the transformative power of AI, we must also confront the ethical challenges it presents. These are not merely technical issues — they are fundamental questions about the kind of future we want to create,” Migriño said. “The choices we make today will determine whether AI becomes a force for good or a source of new problems and inequalities."

In a related development, global cybersecurity firm Kaspersky has warned that cybercriminals are increasingly using anime and Gen Z favorites like Naruto and Attack on Titan as bait to distribute malware.

Between Q2 2024 and Q1 2025, Kaspersky recorded over 250,000 cyberattack attempts using fake content themed after popular anime. Naruto alone was used in 114,216 attempted attacks, followed by Demon Slayer and Attack on Titan. Kaspersky attributed the trend to the high level of trust and interest that younger users have in these shows.

Cybercriminals also targeted Gen Z-favorite films and series like Shrek, Stranger Things, Twilight, and Inside Out 2, with 43,302 attack attempts, including a surge in activity related to Shrek in early 2025.

The findings reflect a broader trend in which attackers are exploiting pop culture and emotional engagement — underscoring Migriño’s point that while emotions are not enough to combat cybercrime, they remain a powerful force in raising awareness.