Tech One Philippines recently hosted a pivotal cybersecurity event last May 8, 2025 —CISO Spotlight: The Intersection of AI and Cybersecurity. This exclusive session brought together security leaders and C-level executives to explore the growing need to adopt AI-driven security strategies to counter sophisticated threats and protect critical infrastructures across sectors.
The agenda was clear yet critical: to equip organizations with strategies for leveraging AI in cybersecurity and empower executives to tackle security challenges through an AI-centric lens, bringing these discussions to the boardroom. Here’s a closer look at what unfolded:
The Imperative of AI in Cybersecurity
The session began with a compelling keynote from Lars Jeppesen, CEO of Tech One Global Group, who highlighted the growing urgency of addressing cyber threats. As cyberattacks continue to become more sophisticated, defenses must evolve in tandem. AI is no longer merely a tool for analysis; it has become the foundation of a smarter, faster, and more proactive security strategy. Now, AI will be the differentiator between industry leaders and those left vulnerable.
From the start, it was clear: to protect their digital futures, organizations must integrate AI into their security infrastructure.
Live Hacking Demo: Red Hat vs. Blue Hat — Stopping a Phishing Attack in Real-Time
One of the most captivating moments of the event occurred during the live hacking demonstration — a high-stakes Red Hat vs. Blue Hat battle, which vividly illustrated the daily challenges security leaders face. The demonstration showcased how a phishing attack was swiftly neutralized using Microsoft’s security stack. What could have been a catastrophic breach was stopped in its tracks, underscoring the critical role of AI in cybersecurity for detecting, blocking, and neutralizing threats at lightning speed.
The demo emphasized more than just AI’s capabilities; it underscored the pressing need for organizations to incorporate AI into their cybersecurity strategies. The question is no longer whether to adopt AI, but how quickly it can be integrated to safeguard valuable data and digital assets.
AI-Driven Security Leadership
At the center of the discussion was a powerful roundtable led by Tech One Philippines’ Managing Director Lahiru Munindradasa and Microsoft ASEAN’s CTO Richard Koh, who also serves on the board of several organizations. TOGether, they explored how AI is reshaping cybersecurity — not just as a technical function, but as a strategic imperative.
Richard shared Microsoft’s forward-looking vision for AI-first security and drew from his boardroom experience to emphasize one key message: security must be elevated beyond operations; it now belongs in the boardroom. He stressed the need for leadership to view AI not as a buzzword, but as a critical enabler for building smarter, faster, and more resilient security strategies.
C-level attendees resonated with this call to action, raising questions around organizational alignment, board-level advocacy, and how to effectively communicate risk in terms that support executive decisions.
Key takeaways:
- Boardroom Buy-In — Security needs to be tied to business strategy to gain sustained leadership commitment.
- Business-Led Risk Conversations — Translating cybersecurity challenges into business outcomes is essential.
- AI as a Strategic Enabler — AI empowers executives to make faster, sharper decisions in an increasingly complex threat landscape.
The message was clear: if AI isn’t part of your security leadership conversation yet, it’s time to bring it to the table.
Security Way-Forward
Closing the event, Durrell Angco, Enterprise Digital Strategy Lead, emphasized the importance of taking proactive measures to strengthen digital ecosystems. He introduced Tech One’s three-tier security solutions, each designed to address the unique security needs of organizations at different stages of cybersecurity maturity:
- Security Foundations — Strengthening the fundamental security controls required to protect against common cyber threats.
- Advanced Security Posture — Implementing adaptive strategies to enhance security governance and improve responses to emerging risks.
- Resilient & AI-Driven Defense — Developing a self-healing, intelligence-powered defense system that proactively anticipates and neutralizes threats.
These solutions are designed to help organizations build a resilient, AI-powered cybersecurity posture, ensuring they stay one step ahead of cyber adversaries.
The Need for AI-Driven Cybersecurity Is Now!
The conversations throughout this event made one thing clear: AI and security are now inseparable. The question is no longer whether AI will shape the future of cybersecurity, but whether your organization is prepared to adopt it in time. Cyberattacks won’t wait for your wait for your next board meeting.
If you’re ready to explore how AI in cybersecurity can safeguard your organization, Tech One Philippines and Microsoft are here to help. Reach out today!
- +63287824968
- aliana@techoneglobal.com
