Protect 2025

PROTECT 2025: Doing Business Amidst New Threats

Introduction

While the global security risk and threat in 2024 may be described as “unprecedented”, 2025 may be described as “unconventional”. We see this in geopolitical tensions, gray zone warfare actions, AI arms race, rising insider threats, fragmented extremism, and other developments.

PROTECT 2025 conference on Doing Business Amidst New Threats will deep dive into the security challenges affecting business today.

AGENDA

8:30 – 9:30 | Opening Ceremonies

Opening Address

Secretary Eduardo Año
National Security Adviser, National Security Council

Keynote Address

Gen. Romeo S. Brawner, Jr. PA
Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines

The Shift From Internal Security To Territorial Defense

Professor Rohan Gunaratna
S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies

SECURITY IN THE NEW GLOBAL ORDER: A WORLD OF GEOPOLITICAL, TECHNOLOGICAL AND NATURE UPHEAVAL

SESSION 1 – DIGITALIZATION AND CYBER THREATS (Panel Discussion)

Digital technology has been transforming business operations every year. Meanwhile, cyber threat actors are applying more advanced and sophisticated technologies to challenge cybersecurity. Understanding what is happening in the world now is an absolute necessity.

For discussion:

9:30 – 10:05 | A. Digital Identity

  • Digital identity to prevent digital fraud
  • De-centralized identity
  • Passwordless authentication
  • Passkeys

Invited/Confirmed Panel Members:

  • Mr. Tim Scyner, Senior Director for Fraud and Compliance, InTouchCX
  • Mr. Shaibal Saha, Asia Pacific Digital Trust Leader, IBM

10:05 – 10:35 | B. Cyber Threats

  • Use of AI for threat management
  • Managing supply chain-related cyber-threats
  • Building cyber resilience for ransomware

Invited/Confirmed Panel Member:

  • Mr. Niel Pandya, APAC Cyber Digital Trust Lead, IBM

10:35 – 11:15 | C. Cybercrime: The Legal Aspects

  • Cybercrime Prevention Act: What crimes can be filed?
  • Available legal warrants
  • Preserving and presenting digital evidence
  • Cybercrime statistics and trends

Invited/Confirmed Panel Members:

  • Mr. Rodan G. Parrocha, Senior Assistant State Prosecutor, Office of Cybercrime - DOJ
  • Atty. Jeremy Lotoc, Chief of Cybercrime, NBI
  • Brig. Gen. Bernard Yang, Acting Director, Anti-Cybercrime Group - PNP
  • Undersecretary Alexander Ramos, Head of Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center - DICT

SESSION 2 – HUMAN AND HEALTH ISSUES

This session aims to raise awareness of human health security and its interactions with key issues across health, education, and security.

For discussion:

  • Human resource for health – Addressing misalignment between education, regulatory qualifications, and industry needs. Will AI affect human development and employment?
  • New forms of epidemics – Global outbreaks, TB resurgence, new virus strains, and the ongoing HIV crisis in the Philippines. Do we have a plan?
  • Food security and nutrition – Addressing malnutrition and preparing business leaders for its long-term effects on human capital.
  • Rising healthcare costs – How will this impact business and society?

Invited/Confirmed Panel Members:

  • Dr. Dexter Galban, RN, MPA, MPM, Assistant Secretary for Operations – Learner Support Services, Department of Education
  • Dr. Daisy Tagarda, Infectious Diseases Specialist, Philippine Society for Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
  • Ms. Justine Raagas, Executive Director, Philippine Business for Education

12:30 – 2:00 | Lunch

SESSION 3 – ENVIRONMENTAL/CLIMATE ISSUES

Environmental changes affect business operations, from resources, supply chains, logistics, energy sources, customer behavior, and demographics.

For discussion:

  • Policy and governance
  • Food waste management
  • Energy conservation and efficiency
  • Climate change adaptation and mitigation

Invited/Confirmed Presenters:

  • Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga, Department of Environment and Natural Resources
  • Secretary Robert E.A. Borje, Vice Chairperson & Executive Director, Climate Change Commission
  • Undersecretary Ariel F. Nepomuceno, Administrator, Office of Civil Defense & NDRRMC
  • Mr. Alexander Ablaza, President, Philippine Energy Efficiency Alliance (PE2)
  • Dr. Jose P. Leviste, Jr., PCCI Chairman of Committee on Environment and Climate Change
  • Mr. Augustus Caesar Esmeralda, President & Managing Director, Ace And Associates Risk Management, Inc.
  • Dr. Alfredo Mahar Francisco A. Lagmay, Executive Director, UP Resilience Institute & UP NOAH Center

SESSION 4 – TRANSNATIONAL ISSUES

Cross-border threats impact both international and domestic security. Businesses often become instruments or victims of such crimes.

For discussion:

  • Organized crime and national security
  • Penetration of state institutions, corruption, and governance threats
  • Economic threats and strategic market risks
  • Crime-terror-insurgency nexus
  • Expansion of drug trafficking and smuggling
  • Human smuggling and weapons trafficking
  • Intellectual property theft

Invited/Confirmed Panel Members:

  • Secretary Jesus Crispin S. Remulla, Chairperson, Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking - DOJ
  • Undersecretary Isagani R. Nerez, Director General, PDEA
  • Atty. Ernesto V. Perez, Director General, Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA)
  • Atty. Brigitte M. da Costa-Villaluz, Director-General, Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHIL)
  • Dr. Rommel Banlaoi, Chairman, Philippine Institute for Peace, Violence & Terrorism Research

SESSION 5 – NATIONAL ISSUES

Two major security issues confronting the Philippines today:

  1. Cyber Attacks – Proximity to China and North Korea, known cyberattack sponsors, makes the Philippines highly vulnerable. Government, healthcare, education, and retail are prime targets.
  2. US-China Relations – Impacts on security, trade, and foreign policy.

Invited/Confirmed Speaker:

  • Gen. Benjamin P. Defensor, Former Chief of Staff, AFP and Commanding General, PAF
  • Former Chairman, APEC Anti-Terrorism Task Force