Globe and its IT solutions subsidiary, Yondu, have taken a stand against mobile communication threats by supporting the Cellular Assault Village at RootCon 2024, one of Southeast Asia’s premier hacker conferences.

RootCon 2024’s theme, “Connected Realities,” highlighted the convergence of the physical and digital worlds, where every action, transaction, and interaction leaves a traceable footprint.

“We are proud to support this important initiative at RootCon 2024. By collaborating with Yondu and highlighting the risks associated with unsecured cellular networks, we aim to contribute to a more secure digital ecosystem. As mobile technology continues to advance, we are committed to protecting our customers from the growing threats that come with it,” said Anton Bonifacio, Globe’s Chief Information Security Officer and concurrent Chief AI Officer.

“Cyber threats are evolving at an alarming rate, especially in the realm of mobile communications, where the risks are often underestimated. At Yondu, we believe that by supporting initiatives like the Cellular Assault Village, we can educate the public and empower them to take control of their mobile security. We are dedicated to helping safeguard both our corporate clients and individual users from malicious actors,” said Dennis Paul Nino Sanchez, Chief Information Security Officer of Yondu.

In its 18th year, the two-day conference brought together top cybersecurity experts, hackers, students, researchers, and enthusiasts to explore the latest advancements in digital security.

The Cellular Assault Village was a special feature of the conference, offering attendees invaluable insights into risks posed by unsecured cellular networks while equipping participants with the knowledge to enhance mobile security.

It revealed the vulnerabilities in everyday mobile communications, showing how voice calls and SMS can be intercepted through advanced techniques, and how passive and active interceptors are used to eavesdrop on seemingly secure conversations.

The session also covered Smishing (SMS phishing), with live demonstrations of spoofed number attacks and other deceptive tactics used by cybercriminals to manipulate users.

Seasoned cybersecurity expert Henry N. Caga, led the discussion.  Caga is a certified Lead Penetration Tester holding CEH, ECSA, LPT (Master), and eCPTXv2 credentials whose expertise was recognized by top tech companies like Google, Yahoo!, and PayPal.

Frisco de Leon, Manager for Signaling NetOps at the Threat Response and Intelligence team under Globe’s Information Security and Data Privacy Group, talked about Globe’s initiatives against spam and scam SMS and malicious websites through proactive blocking and awareness campaigns. He also walked the audience through how to report spam and scam SMS through Globe’s Stop Spam portal.

Globe and Yondu have been at the forefront of raising awareness about the dangers of unsecured mobile communications. By sponsoring this event, both companies reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening their cybersecurity posture and enhancing the security of mobile users in the Philippines.

Globe has been implementing stringent security measures against threats to mobile users, including proactive blocking of spam and scam messages and voice calls to protect customers against phishing and vishing attacks.

To learn more about Globe and Yondu’s cybersecurity initiatives, visit www.globe.com.ph  or www.yondu.com.