ChatGPT: Can it help AI-led Cyberattacks?

MANILA, PHILIPPINES—Science, technology and all its components have strongly benefited the human race over generations. By definition, it is the search for new knowledge to improve the quality of life.  However, everything has the potential of being good or bad depending on the people who are behind it.

The relentless quest to mimic and decipher the human mind has ushered an era of Artificial Intelligence. ChatGPT, a text-based artificial intelligence (AI) bot has made headlines for its use of advanced AI. From accurately fixing a coding bug, generating cooking recipes, creating 3D animations, to composing entire songs, ChatGPT has showcased the mindblowing power of AI to unlock a world of incredible new possibilities and new risks.

Since its launch on November 2022, tech experts and commentators worldwide have been concerned about the impact AI-generated content tools will have on cybersecurity. 

In the recent Black Hat and Defcon security conferences, a demonstration of hacking humans with AI-as-a-service revealed howAI can actually craft better phishing emails and devilishly effective spear phishing messages than people.

Researchers using OpenAI's GPT-3 platform in combination with other AI-as-a-service products focused on personality analysis generated phishing emails that were generated customised using their colleagues' backgrounds and characters. Eventually, the researchers developed a pipeline that refined the emails before hitting their targets. To their surprise, the platform also automatically supplied specifics, such as mentioning a Singaporean law when instructed to generate content for people in Singapore.

The makers of ChatGPT have clearly suggested that the AI-driven tool has the in-built ability to challenge incorrect premises and reject inappropriate requests. While the system apparently has inbuilt guardrails designed to prevent any kind of criminal activities, however, with a few tweaks, it generated a near flawless phishing email that sounded ‘Weirdly Human’. 

This could mean more trouble for markets that are highly vulnerable to phishing attacks such as the Philippines. In fact, the enormity of phishing campaigns in the country prompted the government to begin investigations. This resulted in the approval of the SIM Card Registration Act, a law that mandates users to register personal information upon SIM card activation and purchase in an effort to encourage responsibility and give law enforcement an identification tool for resolving crimes.

Sean Duca, Vice President and Regional Chief Security Officer for Asia Pacific & Japan at Palo Alto Networks, said, “Considering the looming threats of an ever smarter and technologically advanced hacking landscape, the cybersecurity industry must be equally resourced to fight such AI-powered exploits. In the long run, the industry’s vision cannot be that a swarm of human threat hunters try to sporadically fix this with guesswork.” 

The need of the hour is to take intelligent action to neutralise these evolving threats. On the positive side, Autonomous Response is today significantly addressing threats without human intervention. However, as AI-powered attacks become a part of everyday life, businesses, governments and individuals impacted by such automated malware must increasingly rely on emerging technologies such as AI and ML to generate their own automated responses.

As AI continues to be developed, businesses will continue to face a number of challenges in navigating the AI cybersecurity landscape. In particular, there is considerable focus on finding the balance between machines, humans, and ethical considerations. 

“Establishing corporate policies is critical to doing business ethically, while improving cybersecurity. We need to establish effective governance and legal frameworks that enable greater trust in AI technologies being implemented around us to be safe, reliable, and contribute to a just and sustainable world. The delicate balance between AI and humans will therefore emerge as a key factor towards successful cybersecurity in which trust, transparency, and accountability supplement the benefits of machines,” Duca concluded.

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About Palo Alto Networks

Palo Alto Networks is the world’s cybersecurity leader. We innovate to outpace cyberthreats, so organizations can embrace technology with confidence. We provide next-gen cybersecurity to thousands of customers globally, across all sectors. Our best-in-class cybersecurity platforms and services are backed by industry-leading threat intelligence and strengthened by state-of-the-art automation. Whether deploying our products to enable the Zero Trust Enterprise, responding to a security incident, or partnering to deliver better security outcomes through a world-class partner ecosystem, we’re committed to helping ensure each day is safer than the one before. It’s what makes us the cybersecurity partner of choice.

At Palo Alto Networks, we’re committed to bringing together the very best people in service of our mission, so we’re also proud to be the cybersecurity workplace of choice, recognized among Newsweek’s Most Loved Workplaces (2021), Comparably Best Companies for Diversity (2021) and HRC Best Places for LGBTQ Equality (2022). For more information, visit www.paloaltonetworks.com.

Microsoft Azure Virtual Hackathon to Create Innovative Solutions using Artificial Intelligence

While avoiding crowded places like schools and workplaces and staying-at-home to avoid coronavirus infection, making innovative projects and solutions can be a unique opportunity at the comfort of your own home.

Technology allows people to connect with each other despite physical distancing and can make lives more comfortable and productive by exactly knowing when the next ride arrives or minimize crop losses in urban farms. Artificial intelligence mimics human behavior and thinking, while cloud computing allows access to system resources and data storage without owning and managing expensive servers. Combining AI with the cloud enables developers and engineers to use and access cutting-edge technologies and resources to solve complex problems affecting people and society.

Microsoft, ride-hailing app Grab, and the United Nations Development Programme partner with AngelHack to bring together talented developers, engineers, designers, technologists, and entrepreneurs to solve real-world business challenges from the Asia-Pacific region. This free "virtual" hackathon enables teams to collaborate online and use Azure technologies like computer vision and natural language processing to create innovative and transformative solutions.
 
"We are teaming up with Microsoft to organize this virtual hackathon to engage our talented developers community across APAC to code for a meaningful cause. We are excited about what our community will innovate," according to Asia-Pacific regional manager Jasmine Nguyen of AngelHack.

Surface tablets, job opportunities, visit to Singapore, and $ 3,000 are waiting for those who will create best applications and solutions.

This virtual hackathon is open for residents in Singapore, Korea, New Zealand, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, Bangladesh, Maldives, Nepal, or Brunei. Age should be 18 years or older and part of a team up to five participants.

The first phase starts on April 17 until May 17 where ideas has to be formed and, solution design and architecture has to be submitted. Prototypes must be submitted on the second phase on May 25 to June 14 addressing the challenges presented.

Register for free at https://www.msazurevirtualhack.com/ to join the virtual hackathon.

Deadline of registration is on May 17.

This competition is powered by AngelHack. Visit the website at https://angelhack.com/

About AngelHack

AngelHack is an organization founded with the desire to connect the tech-loving community to make new ideas come true. Within 7 years, AngelHack has been a pioneer in innovative promotion programs, co-organized and helped organize hackathons, digital-based competitions, accelerators, meetups, and ideas developed in more than 20 cities worldwide.

With a diverse community of more than 160,000 programmers, designers and entrepreneurs, AngelHack is a trusted bridge for individuals and groups who want to find innovative solutions. Arriving in Vietnam from January 2019, AngelHack Vietnam has successfully organized two Hackathons in Hanoi & Ho Chi Minh City and opened many new and effective ideas and solutions for sponsors and businesses. The goal of 2019-2020 is to focus on building the community, improving the quality of human resources, and working with other businesses to find new solutions.

Converge ICT cited as Philippines' Fastest Growing Fiber Internet Service Provider

Converge ICT Solutions, the broadband services provider behind the country’s first pure end-to-end fiber internet network, has been cited as the ‘Fastest Growing Fibre Internet Service Provider’ by the International Finance Awards.

The recognition comes from London-based global business and finance magazine, International Finance. According to the publication, Converge ICT is recognized to be true to its mission to upgrade the overall digital experience of the country. International Finance also lauded the company’s growth from the grassroots to become a budding powerhouse provider of pure end-to-end fiber internet.

Since the launch of Converge ICT’s fiber packages, the Philippines saw a steady and noticeable internet speed improvement. According to the world-renowned digital delivery network Akamai, the Philippines’ average internet speed in the third quarter of 2016 was only at 4.2Mbps. By the first quarter of 2016, the average download speed in the Philippines has increased by 135.90 percent to 18.66Mbps, Akamai reported.

One of the most recent milestones of Converge ICT is the introduction of the country’s first 400Gbps backbone to augment existing domestic network capacity. This allows 400G per channel at 64 channels or the equivalent of 25.6Tbps at capacity.

The backbone is considered a boost to major businesses and institutions such as business process outsourcing companies and financial institutions, which require high capacity connectivity or bandwidth. The rollout also allowed individual subscribers and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to enjoy faster connection without any data cap for high bandwidth capacity.

Converge ICT has received the award last January 31, 2020 at Waldorf Astoria, Bangkok, Thailand.

About Converge ICT Solutions

Converge ICT Solutions is the leading fiber internet and digital consumer-centric services provider in the country. It is the first to run a pure end-to-end fiber internet network, providing Filipinos simple, fast, and reliable internet connection. Converge ICT Solutions is ISO and CE2.0 Certified.

Converge ICT Donates to Oriental Mindoro Provincial Hospital

Converge ICT Solutions Inc, the country’s premiere provider of pure end-to-end fiber connectivity, has always been committed to empowering the Filipino nation to “Experience Better.”

In line with the advocacy to uplift people’s quality of life via upgrading their online experience, the company has been upscaling their efforts to contribute in nation-building from more than just the digital aspect. As part of its corporate social responsibility efforts, the company adopted a Surgical Ward with the intention to uplift the healthcare services of the Oriental Mindoro Provincial Hospital in Calapan City. With this donation, the hospital can procure needed equipment to aid in the improvement of their operations.

Private sector-initiated efforts like this enables public institutions like the Oriental Mindoro Provincial Hospital to improve surgical healthcare service and take better care of their patients.

As Converge ICT expands its services south of the country, its efforts to upgrade experiences, both online and offline will surely be felt by more Filipinos.

Converge ICT Earmarks $250M Investment to Nationwide Expansion

Converge ICT, the country’s premier pure end to end fiber internet service provider, received a multi-million-dollar investment from Warburg Pincus, a private equity firm based in the United States.

Converge ICT has been aggressively expanding its fiber infrastructure with the aim of providing Filipinos access to the more reliable fiber internet connection. The $250 million or P12.8 billion investment will be earmarked on rolling out more fiber connections nationwide.

"Since going full throttle with our fiber network roll-out and package offerings, the change in overall Philippine performance has been noticeable," said Dennis Uy, founder and president, Converge ICT. "In 2018, the average connection has risen to 18Mbps. We don't take full credit but the company’s contributions have been undeniable."

This is the Warburg Pincus' first investment in the Philippines. One of the world's biggest equity firms has $20 billion invested in Asia and about $65 billion in assets under management.

"We are excited about the country’s young, digital-savvy population and its thriving services industries, which have created an outsized need for connectivity and will create explosive growth in the broadband space," said Saurabh Agarwal, managing director, Warburg Pincus. "Converge ICT is a remarkable business and growth story and I am confident that it will continue to achieve significant growth milestones and solve the ever-increasing connectivity needs of the country."

Converge ICT is looking at capturing 30% of the country's broadband market in the next few years. With this investment, Converge ICT will be able to fastrack the construction of its $1.8-billion nationwide internet backbone. The current rollout includes a $70-million domestic submarine cable with 20 landing stations across the Philippines. The Luzon backbone is expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2020.

"Converge ICT is the only pure end-to-end fiber internet provider in the country with all-in house capabilities," said Uy. "We have been investing heavily on innovations that would move the broadband market forward so we can be on par with our neighbors. We have rolled out 400Gbps per channel in the past."

At present, Converge ICT is looking at doubling its half-a-million subscribers by next year. Seventy percent of the company's customer base are first-time fixed broadband service users and Uy plans to increase that with more expansions in the coming months.

Converge ICT Extends Expansion in Baguio

Converge ICT Solutions (Converge ICT), a major provider of telecommunication and cable television services in the Philippines, had expanded its reach in the urban landscape Baguio.

Its partnership with Benguet Electric Cooperative Inc. (BENECO), Converge ICT has always wanted to provide a faster and more reliable connection in the northern part of Luzon. BENECO is an electric cooperative which provides electricity to the city of Baguio and Benguet Province. It is the first electric cooperative to enter into a partnership with a company such as Converge in order to provide internet to its member-consumers. Plans for Baguio expansion has already been in place since 2017.

Converge ICT has been operating in Baguio since 2018 and further expansion is in the works since the first half of 2019.
"Customers in Baguio have long been waiting for an alternative internet provider that can give them a better service," said Chief Operating Officer Jesus Romero. "Converge ICT's partnership with BENECO is equitable as well because BENECO’s electric poles are infrastructure-ready for use, which means that we can easily fast track the expansion."

BENECO also benefits from the use of Converge ICT's fiber-optic infrastructure. This allows them to comply with the directive from the National Electrification Administration and the Department of Information and Technology to tap electric cooperatives to bring internet to clients assisting the government in achieving its goals with National Broadband Plan.

Baguio may be a challenging location for laying down fiber-optics because of its terrain, which makes the partnership with BENECO feasible. The combined expertise of Converge ICT's technical team and BENECO’s familiarity with the terrain made the work more manageable.

The plans and packages Converge ICT is offering to Baguio residents and establishments include the Converge fiber plans FiberX 1500, 2500, 3500, and Fiber Xtreme 4500 and 7000.

Converge ICT also offers reasonable plans specially geared towards the small and medium enterprise segment. These include the iBiz 10mbps at Plan 4000, iBiz 20mbps at Plan 6000, iBiz 30mbps at Plan 9000, iBiz 40mbps at Plan 12,000, and iBiz 50mbps at Plan 15,000.
The enterprise segment will get dedicated internet access with business broadband and wholesale IP transit. For value added services, enterprises will have data center services at two co-locations in Luzon.

Converge ICT has been providing Baguio with a faster connection than before in the following areas: Apugan-Loakan, Atok Trail, Bakakeng Central, Bakakeng North, Balsigan, BGH Compound, Camp 7, Camp 8, Dontogan, DPS Compound, Engineer’s Hill, Engineer’s Hill-Teachers Camp, Ferdinand, Gabriela Silang, General Luna – Salud Mitra, General Luna Upper, Green Water Village, Hillside, Imelda Marcos, Liwanag-Loakan, Liwanag Proper, Loakan Proper, Marcoville, Military Cut-off, Philam, Poliwes, San Vicente, Santo Tomas Proper, Scout Barrio, Sta. Escolastica, Sto. Rosario, and Upper & Lower Dagsian.

The start of operations in the remaining areas are already in the works and will be fully serviceable in the coming months.

For more information on Converge ICT, visit https://www.convergeict.com/.


About Converge ICT Solutions

Converge ICT Solutions is the leading fiber internet and digital consumer-centric services provider in the country. It is the first to run a pure end-to-end fiber internet network, providing Filipinos simple, fast, and reliable internet connection. Converge ICT Solutions is ISO and CE2.0 Certified.

Converge ICT Rolls Out Partnership with Secure64, Ensures More Secured Internet Connection

Converge ICT Solutions, the country’s leading local fiber internet provider, rolls out best-in-class domain name system (DNS) solution for its subscribers through a partnership with Secure64, a leading provider of genuinely secure DNS servers that are purpose-built to be highly-protected and immune to malware.

Imagine going to a site only to be redirected to a malicious page. This happens through DNS cache poisoning where a compromised DNS causes denial of service (DoS) which redirects users to malicious sites. The DNS acts as a directory of the internet which matches web addresses with an IP address.

“All of us are vulnerable to cyber-attacks. Every day, DNS server attacks pose threats to companies and customers – from theft of customer data to loss of access,” says Converge ICT CEO and President Dennis Anthony Uy. “We, at Converge ICT, want to protect our Network and, hence, our users from these cybercrimes with the roll-out of our DNS infrastructure powered by Secure64.”
Malicious traffic also has a significant effect on a business’ internet security.
By partnering with Secure64, Converge ICT shields its network from security threats. It also ensures network scalability, prevents infections, and identifies infected devices.

“DNS attacks get bigger every year and anyone can be exposed to it. Our partners, like Converge ICT, turn to us because online safety is their topmost priority especially for the Pinoy netizens,” says Thad Dupper, CEO of Secure64. “With our mechanism and technology, customers are assured of secured DNS guaranteed to block illegal attempts that will compromise your network.”

“Converge ICT is committed to giving Filipinos better and more secured internet services. From faster and more efficient connection to more trusted internet security, we pride ourselves with the topnotch technology by partnering with the world’s best,” adds Uy.

For more information on Converge ICT, visit https://www.convergeict.com/.

About Converge ICT Solutions

Converge ICT Solutions is the leading fiber internet and digital consumer-centric services provider in the country. It is the first to run a pure end-to-end fiber internet network, providing Filipinos simple, fast, and reliable internet connection. Converge ICT Solutions is ISO and CE2.0 Certified.