TELECOM | PLDT Enterprise advances digital security, cloud partnerships for Philippine enterprises
The corporate business arm of PLDT Inc. recently announced key partnerships and innovations — including its SmartSafe SilentAccess authentication suite and collaborations with Daiichi Properties and Hong Kong–based Newbuy Group.
PLDT Enterprise is reinforcing its position as the country’s leading business technology provider with a series of strategic initiatives aimed at boosting cybersecurity, cloud resilience, and digital trust across industries.
The corporate business arm of PLDT Inc. recently announced key partnerships and innovations — including its SmartSafe SilentAccess authentication suite and collaborations with Daiichi Properties and Hong Kong–based Newbuy Group — to accelerate secure digital transformation for enterprises in the Philippines and the wider Asian region.
Moving beyond OTPs
In a move that could redefine online security standards in the country, PLDT Enterprise is introducing SmartSafe SilentAccess, a network-powered authentication technology designed to eliminate fraud linked to one-time passwords (OTPs). The system authenticates users directly and in real time through Smart Communications’ nationwide network, reducing dependence on SMS-based OTPs that are increasingly targeted by phishing and man-in-the-middle attacks.
“We envision PLDT to be the first to transition beyond OTPs in the country,” said Blums Pineda, senior vice president and head of the Enterprise Business Group at PLDT and Smart. “With SmartSafe, we are not just protecting enterprises and their end-users — we are shaping the future of digital trust in the Philippines.”
The technology is certified under the GSMA Open Gateway API framework, making Smart the first Philippine telco to achieve this global standard for secure network-based authentication. The initiative also supports Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Circular No. 1213, which encourages financial institutions to adopt stronger authentication systems beyond SMS OTPs.
According to Nico Alcoseba, first vice president and head of product management at PLDT Enterprise, SmartSafe SilentAccess “delivers certified authentication without OTPs, working invisibly in the background. It is about making security effortless for end-users, while giving enterprises the strongest and safest possible defense against digital fraud.”
Pineda said SmartSafe is just the beginning of a broader fraud management suite that will include solutions for SIM-swap detection, network location verification, roaming protection, and Know-Your-Customer (KYC) verification. “As the first telco to bring this level of authentication to the market, we are taking the lead in building the safest digital environment for every Filipino,” he said.
The initiative comes at a time when more than 60 percent of the country’s digital interactions happen via mobile devices, with online banking and retail transactions increasingly targeted by scammers. “This is about more than just telco innovation,” Pineda added. “By strengthening the security of every digital interaction, SmartSafe helps safeguard critical services, protect businesses and consumers, and ensure the continuity of our digital economy.”
Cloud-First transformation
Complementing its cybersecurity push, PLDT’s ICT subsidiary ePLDT has partnered with real estate developer Daiichi Properties to modernize the latter’s IT infrastructure and strengthen its data protection systems. The collaboration will see Daiichi Properties migrate its core data management to the ePLDT VITRO Cloud, supported by enterprise-grade cybersecurity tools and scalable storage solutions.
The partnership aligns with the growing trend of integrating cloud technology in property management and real estate operations, particularly as developers adopt data-driven sustainability and building automation systems.
“With the support of ePLDT, we are ensuring that our technology infrastructure is secure, resilient, and future-ready,” said a Daiichi Properties executive during the signing ceremony. “This upgrade allows us to continue serving our tenants and partners with the reliability they expect in a digital-first environment.”
ePLDT’s VITRO Data Centers — the largest carrier-neutral network of data centers in the Philippines — provide the backbone for the initiative. According to PLDT Enterprise, the partnership reflects the increasing demand for enterprise cloud adoption, driven by the need for both operational efficiency and stronger data governance.
The collaboration also supports the Department of Information and Communications Technology’s (DICT) national cloud-first policy, which encourages local enterprises to shift toward secure, locally hosted digital infrastructure.
Strengthening regional connectivity
Expanding beyond the domestic market, PLDT Enterprise has also teamed up with Newbuy Group, a Hong Kong–based cloud communications company operating across the Philippines, Vietnam, and Singapore. The partnership aims to enhance secure and real-time messaging solutions for SMEs and e-commerce businesses through the Smart Messaging Suite, a telco-grade platform that ensures reliability and compliance in digital communication.
Under the agreement, Newbuy will integrate PLDT’s Silent Authentication technology into its messaging services, replacing vulnerable OTP systems with SIM-based verification that meets regulatory requirements set by the BSP.
“This collaboration demonstrates how we work alongside industry innovators to deliver communication platforms that are not only scalable but also secure by design,” said Mitch Locsin, first vice president and head of Enterprise Core Business at PLDT Enterprise. “By enabling Newbuy’s real-time engagement with its customers, we are helping shape a safer and more seamless digital ecosystem.”
Newbuy Group President Joe Champ said the partnership ensures both speed and security in a region where digital transactions continue to surge. “As we expand our footprint in Asia, it is essential for us to work with partners who can guarantee the integrity of our services,” Champ said. “Through Smart Messaging Suite and Silent Authentication, we can assure our operator clients that every message sent is delivered securely, instantly, and compliantly.”
The deal highlights PLDT Enterprise’s expanding role in enabling cross-border digital services, particularly in the fast-growing Asia-Pacific e-commerce sector. By combining network-level security with regional connectivity, the company continues to position itself as a trusted partner for enterprises navigating the next phase of digital transformation.
Building a secure, sustainable digital future
Together, these initiatives underscore PLDT Enterprise’s integrated approach to enterprise modernization — combining cybersecurity, cloud resiliency, and regional collaboration. From strengthening real estate infrastructure with ePLDT’s data centers to securing e-commerce platforms through SilentAccess, the company is setting a benchmark for trusted digital transformation.
“As we provide these technologies to banks, retailers, healthcare providers, and government agencies, we also protect their end-users every time they log in, shop online, access records, or complete transactions,” Pineda said. “Our goal is a safer, more inclusive digital economy for all Filipinos.”
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