PLDT, Smart train future cybersecurity professionals

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PLDT and Smart engage the next generation of cybersecurity professionals in the fight against cyber threats and cybercrime. PLDT and Smart’s Cybersecurity Operations Group (CSOG) trained graduating Computer Science, Computer Engineering, and Information Technology students from Asia Pacific College (APC) on cybersecurity under a six-month internship program called the Cyber Warrior Course (CWC).

“Cybersecurity is an advocacy. You need discipline to survive the industry. I’ve had 27 years of experience but I am still learning. You have to constantly push yourself to be better because the enemy is getting more sophisticated,” encouraged Angel Redoble, FVP and Chief Information Security Officer at PLDT and Smart.

“Our students spend two terms on internship. It has been a working success for us and our partner-institutions. Internship lets students experience the workplace and the importance of why they are choosing this particular career,” said Rhea-Luz Valbuena, Executive Director of APC School of Computing and Information Technology.

Out of the 40 students who passed the interviews conducted by CSOG, 19 of them chose the CWC and were onboarded into the program. Guided by CSOG trainers and subject matter experts, the interns, also called cadets, were immersed into the group’s daily operations – analyzing real-world situations and using scientific and empirical approaches to solve cybersecurity challenges.

“Every minute counts. You should be quick in addressing issues. We’re glad that our mentors from PLDT and Smart helped us with our tasks,” said Information Technology major Melo John Lorenzo, the Top 2 cadet of his batch.

The interns were assigned to the different CSOG subgroups called ‘pillars’ to learn their specific functions and how they contribute to the PLDT Group’s overall efforts in defending the companies’ data, networks, systems and infrastructure and protecting customers against cyber attacks.

“The world has seen a dramatic increase in cybercriminal activities. Together, let us push back against these nefarious actors who undermine people, organizations, even nations, and help ensure a safer internet for all,” said Francisco Ashley Acedillo, AVP and Head of Cyber Security Strategy and Innovation at Smart.

Developing cybersecurity warriors is part of PLDT and Smart CSOG’s active drive to fortify and ensure the resiliency and sustainability of their cybersecurity systems, which is fundamental to the PLDT group’s much broader program to elevate the quality of customer experience by protecting them from cyberthreats.

Green Run at Vermosa encourages outdoor activity, nature appreciation for physical, mental health

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After two years of quiet and confinement, it’s time to celebrate the green outdoors and have fun in the sun.

Vermosa, an Ayala Land Estate in Imus Cavite, is front running the event. It is a modern, suburban community that promotes healthy and active living. On July 3, Sunday, everyone is invited to lace up and run for a greener tomorrow with the staging of Green Run. It will be a one-day, multi-level run within its 750-hectare property that is fast gaining fame as the new sports and fitness hub down south.

Consisting of 21K, 10K, 5K and 3K distance categories, the Green Run is targeting elite athletes, fun runners, fitness enthusiasts, athletes in training, weekend athletes, families, barkada, and just about anyone who is eager to run. Various running routes winding through wide open spaces and abundant greenery punctuated with wide pedestrian walkways, bicycle and jogging lanes, and enhanced greenways will make this Run a truly pleasant experience.

Vermosa’s famous Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub, a state-of-the-art professionally–managed sports facility that has already hosted various national and international sports events will be the center of activities for registration and information. Featuring a FINA-standard Olympic size swimming pool, a warm up pool, an IAAF standard 400m track oval, field with natural tiff grass, an Athletes Lounge, and a gym operated by Sante Fitness Lab, a premier training ground for amateur and professional athletes.

Vermosa has partnered with Pinoy Fitness, the running, fitness and multisport event organizer, to conduct the Run. A beautiful medal created by artist Cynthia Bauzon-Arre of Forest Foundation Philippines, will be among the perks that runners will get for their participation. Proceeds of the Run will go to Haribon Foundation’s Adopt-a-Seedling Program, to build a greener tomorrow.

Vermosa Estate Head Jay Teodoro, a sports and fitness enthusiast himself, says “As more places begin to reopen, we can now enjoy the outdoors with more activities to engage in. I personally advocate sports and spending time outdoors as it helps boost physical and mental health. Physical activities, like running, provide a change of scenery and help reduce stress. This is why we organized the Vermosa Green Run. We want people to rediscover their surroundings, appreciate nature, enjoy the fresh air and boost their health. With an abundance of wide-open spaces and the state-of-the-art sports facilities at Vermosa Sports Hub, Vermosa provides one of the best venues to engage in physical activities.”

Those interested to join Green Run may go to ayalaland.myruntime.com to register.

Reloadly partners with PLDT Global to enable migrant Filipinos to support their loved ones from abro

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Reloadly has partnered with PLDT Global to make international top-ups available to migrant Filipinos



PLDT Global has partnered with Reloadly, an international airtime top-up and digital goods solution, to give businesses and their developer teams plug-and-play access to PLDT Global network.

Under this partnership, digital businesses can integrate seamlessly to the PLDT Global network all over the world through Reloadly APIs, supporting the growing demand from the global developer community for innovative airtime solutions for the fintech, NGO, cryptocurrency, e-commerce, and customer rewards industries.

Reloadly is also one with PLDT Global on the mission to transform the lives of its clients globally, accelerating the deployment of high-speed data networks, closing the digital divide in the countries where it operates by deploying digital highways for millions of people who today are taking advantage of the new digital economy.

Acting as an airtime aggregator, Reloadly provides the world’s first dedicated platform for connecting to the global mobile network. Within this platform is a growing toolkit of airtime software, including Reloadly’s airtime API, widget, plugin, SDK, GitHub projects and more, as well as a vast multilingual library of developer documentation to build open-source airtime solutions.

“We are delighted to join forces with Reloadly for its airtime solutions to strengthen our Vortex platform. Our partnership reflects PLDT Global’s commitment to make digital solutions more accessible to Filipinos wherever they are in the world. This will uniquely position PLDT Global to offer a more convenient option for our customers to securely and seamlessly make digital transactions, including paying bills and sending load to their loved ones. This fosters our vision of enhancing connectivity for migrant Filipinos and their families back home,” said PGC Global CEO Albert Villa-Real.

Michel Francis, CEO of Reloadly, says that “Reloadly is a startup with global ambitions that enables users of our airtime software toolkit to easily integrate with top mobile operators like PLDT Global.”

“The vast majority of the world -- about 78% -- still depend on prepaid plans,” Francis adds. “Our mission is to reinvent and break down barriers in the global telco industry by empowering developers and brands to fuel mobile access in markets across the world, most of which have been underserved for far too long.”

Reloadly’s partnership with PLDT Global is an important step to seizing the untapped potential that mobile phone ubiquity has ushered in the global economy. Through this alliance, creating, customizing, and integrating airtime services for creative and innovative new business lines will become more possible than ever.

Reloadly, Inc.: RELOADLY provides simple, intuitive, and flexible APIs to send Airtime, Data Bundles, Gift Cards, and Bill Payments across the world. As the world’s first developer platform for connecting to global telcos, Reloadly provides better building blocks for integrating digital mobile payments. Reloadly built several open source solutions for the developer community, taking the complexity out of integrating with telcos. With a transparent system and direct connection to +800 operators worldwide, Reloadly offers a “pay as you go” platform with plug-and-play technology, being the only company that provides SDKs in the industry.

PLDT Global: PLDT Global Corporation (PGC), the international arm of the Philippines’ largest integrated telco network PLDT Inc., is a technology services company that provides high quality communications infrastructure and innovative platforms to its network of carriers, enterprise customers, and distribution partners enabling them to achieve their desired connectivity, reach, and market relevance. For over 20 years, PLDT Global has built its strong international presence by providing meaningful connectivity and data solutions to a growing network of partners. To find out how PGC can help you achieve your digital acceleration goals, please visit pldtglobal.com