ePLDT unveils sovereign cloud infrastructure at PH Digicon

ePLDT, the ICT unit of PLDT Inc., recently unveiled its sovereign cloud infrastructure, known as the ePLDT Pilipinas Cloud (ePPC), at PH Digicon 2023. This platform is to primarily host crucial and sensitive government data, aiming to streamline online public services, cut expenses of legacy systems, and enhance collaboration.

Department of Information and Communications Technology Secretary Ivan John Uy stressed the significance of cooperation between the government and private sector in propelling the Philippines' digital transition during the conference. He praised ePLDT's initiative as key in tackling challenges and fast-tracking the country's growth of a digital ecosystem.

In his keynote speech, Secretary Uy acknowledged private sector initiatives like the ePLDT's development of a sovereign cloud infrastructure could help the country quickly and smoothly build a digital ecosystem. "The journey for the country's digital transformation will be quite challenging," said Uy, but added "your collaboration in the private sector such as ePLDT's launching of Pilipinas Cloud will surely complement our digital transformation initiatives."

Sec. Uy confirmed that the ePLDT sovereign cloud infrastructure would be implemented across all agencies in order to aid and spur on digital transformation. He opined that the sovereign cloud by ePLDT would help to bolster and facilitate digital transition in the country by improving collaboration, minimising the cost of legacy systems, and improving online public services.

During the PH Digicon 2023 conference, ePLDT launched its sovereign cloud infrastructure programme which will host sensitive and mission-critical government data and applications. The ePLDT Pilipinas Cloud (ePPC) is touted to help secure and expedite the digital transformation initiatives of the government.

Victor Genuino, President and CEO of ePLDT, outlined that their group-owned and operated ePPC demonstrates the Philippines' capability to keep pace with the global innovation in cloud computing technology. According to him, this digital infrastructure delivers a secure, flexible, and cost-effective platform for data storage and processing, complementing other initiatives of the PLDT Group aimed at encouraging the country's digital revolution.

Secretary Uy conveyed the government's desire for further collaboration with the private sector to maintain the country's digital transition, particularly in defending Filipinos against cyber threats. He said, "We cannot afford to have distrust and fear of digital technologies due to cybercrimes and scams derailing our digital transformation efforts." In order to tackle this issue, he divulged the national cybersecurity plan for 2023-2028 which details planned steps for enhancing the nation's cyber resilience."

Secretary Uy affirmed that the development of the DICT initiatives to strengthen cyber resiliency involves protecting essential information infrastructure, enhancing the local workforce's cyber security skills, enhancing international cooperation, and improving the national emergency response teams' capabilities for incidence monitoring and penetration testing. "The work to leave a lasting legacy for Filipinos has just begun," Uy said.