PHILIPPINE businesses should accelerate their adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and automation as cyberthreats in the country continue to increase, California-based cybersecurity firm Fortinet said Tuesday.

Fortinet officials highlighted the importance of quickly detecting and addressing cyberattacks through automation and AI-assisted tools, noting that they are the "cornerstone of an enhanced cybersecurity posture."

"In the ever-evolving threat landscape, organizations grapple with a spectrum of cyberthreats targeting their digital assets," Rashish Pandey, vice president for marketing and communications at Fortinet, said in a media briefing.

"Fortinet's security operations solutions, underpinned by advanced AI, not only address the pressing need for automation but also provide a comprehensive strategy for incident detection and response," Pandey added.

For his part, Fortinet Philippines country manager Alan Reyes emphasized that automation plays a crucial role in "promptly identifying and responding to cyberthreats, minimizing the window of vulnerability."

"This signifies a fundamental step in fortifying cybersecurity defenses, where time to detect and respond is paramount. Automation... emerges as the linchpin in navigating the challenges of today's dynamic threat landscape," he said.

According to an International Data Corp. (IDC) survey commissioned by Fortinet, over 50 percent of organizations in the Philippines have ranked phishing and ransomware as the "most predominant cyberthreats" in the country.

Incidents of ransomware — described as cyberattacks that limit users from accessing their system unless a ransom is paid — have doubled across the Philippines last year compared to 2022, the survey revealed.

The report, which surveyed some 550 organizations from October to November 2023, said unpatched vulnerabilities, identity theft and insider threats were included in the top five cyberattacks that harm businesses in the country.

However, only 50 percent of Philippine businesses have integrated information technology (IT) resources for their security teams, augmenting the challenges faced in "strengthening their security measures," it said.

In a statement, Simon Piff, research vice president of IDC Asia-Pacific, stressed that continuous commitment to vigilance, proactivity and adaptability is necessary to secure modern IT infrastructures.

"The integration of AI-assisted tools, reassessment of staffing, potential outsourcing and increased automation emerge as imperative facets highlighted by the survey, emphasizing the urgency for organizations to embrace automation strategically," he said.