A new global report from cybersecurity leader Fortinet has sounded the alarm for businesses in the Philippines, revealing that a critical shortage of skilled professionals is leaving organizations dangerously exposed to cyberattacks. This is happening even as companies race to adopt artificial intelligence (AI) for defense.
Alarming Breach Rates and Financial Impact
The 2025 Global Cybersecurity Skills Gap Report found that nearly every organization surveyed in the Philippines experienced at least one cybersecurity breach in 2024. More shockingly, over a third reported five or more incidents throughout the year.
Bambi Escalante, Country Manager of Fortinet Philippines, emphasized the direct consequence of this gap. "Organizations face rising breach incidents and greater financial impact when this gap remains unaddressed," she stated. The data proves her point: almost half of the organizations said cyber incidents cost them more than US$1 million last year.
Root Causes: Awareness Gaps and AI Hurdles
According to the findings, a lack of cybersecurity awareness and training remains the top cause of breaches, identified by nearly 50% of respondents. This issue extends to the highest levels, as boards of directors often lack sufficient cyber knowledge despite prioritizing the topic.
The report also highlights a double-edged sword with artificial intelligence. While all surveyed organizations in the Philippines are either using or planning to deploy AI for threat detection and prevention, its implementation is hampered. Nearly two-thirds of IT leaders cited a lack of staff with proper AI expertise as the biggest barrier.
Furthermore, understanding of AI-related risks lags behind its adoption. Only about two-thirds of respondents believe their boards fully grasp the risks posed by AI.
Certification Preference vs. Investment Decline
To combat the skills shortage, employers show a strong preference for certified professionals, with over 80% favoring candidates with credentials. However, a concerning trend has emerged: organizational willingness to fund these certifications for employees has declined compared to previous years.
Fortinet stresses that closing the skills gap is essential for business resilience. The company calls for increased investment in training, certification, and awareness programs, alongside deploying advanced security tech. Reinforcing this commitment, Fortinet reiterated its goal to train one million people in cybersecurity worldwide by the end of 2026.
