By Rei Salud | Contributor
ONE would imagine that, for most Filipinos, the idea of cyber security still remains relatively a thing of the future. Or, an esoteric concept only the tech-savvy could wrap his or her mind around.
In discussing computers or technology, the average “Juan” would most likely gripe about the generally dismal Internet speed, than become concerned about whether an individual’s private information online is properly protected. After all, as long as there is an antivirus or a firewall installed in one’s computer, the chances of getting hacked or acquiring a virus isn’t very likely—or so many believe.
The majority of the general population also still go about their everyday lives doing things manually, unplugged from the digital sphere. Being online typically translates to being on social media, checking e-mails, and maybe doing a bit of “cyber shopping.” Nothing really too serious, too complicated, or too important that one should become worried about data privacy.
That being said, Filipinos would perhaps think it baffling that a foreign cyber-security company would choose to set-up shop here. The initial reaction would often be one of curiosity, citing other Southeast Asian nations as more beneficial areas for such an enterprise. But for Bluedog Security Monitoring CEO Paul Lomax, setting up shop in the Philippines made perfect sense.
“I [was able to work] with some Filipinos in Saudi Arabia in the early 1990s. Frankly, I was really amazed by their work ethic—they could think for themselves, you know. So, when I was looking to go offshore with the programming and the customer service, my first thought was [that of] the Philippines.”
Spreading awareness
BACK in 2007, Paul first ventured into the Philippines with an extension of another business he ran as a CEO, which is Freeparking Domain Registrars Inc., one of the first fully automated domain-name registrars in the United Kingdom since 1998.
It could be easily assumed that he established the office in a key city. He actually opened shop in the heart of Nasugbu in Batangas.
Quite the unlikely place, the Englishman said that setting up their office in the municipality happened through the help of a friend—another British national involved in information technology (IT) —who was a resident. There, they rented two small shops and turned them into a working space with a simple setup. Eventually, they expanded in Makati City, mainly to hire for the skillsets their business needed.
Before long, Paul saw his customers’ needs shift toward cyber security. This prompted him to create “Bluedog” by pulling a joint venture with a contact in Europe, who happens to be a well-known cyber-security expert. But instead of focusing on larger companies, Bluedog’s services are mainly meant for small to medium firms, many of which not only lack the necessary online protection, but also are typically unaware of the huge amount of data that is at risk.
Private data, the CEO explained, is usually the main target of the security attacks that his company has encountered. “A lot of small to medium businesses either don’t know about it, or are not taking it seriously enough,” he said.
Other than customer data, it is also employee data that is endangered. “If somebody gets hold of an employee data file, [the said person now has] social security numbers, dates of birth and bank account numbers…somebody could completely steal your identity from [a very simple piece of information].”
One doesn’t even need to do anything complicated to put his or her data at risk: As simple as writing passwords on notepads and saving them on the computer—by itself, an innocent act—can result in something as grave as having one’s identity stolen.
As new private-data policies and attitudes toward technology constantly change, Lomax believes that there is a need for education and awareness when it comes to cyber security. In endeavoring to reach as many people as he could, he is currently working closely with several organizations, like the Call Center Association of the Philippines, as many of them are involved in handling sensitive bits of information.
“It’s really been [there] wherever we can; where there’s pocket small- to medium-enterprise-type events. We to try and get the word out that way.”
Going the distance
BUT it isn’t all work for Paul and his wife Deborah, who are in the country not only for business, but also to spend time in the country as tourists. They don’t live here on a permanent basis, but only stay around for six weeks, then another in Spain, near Malaga.
Shuttling in-between the Philippines and in the European country isn’t much different, they said, as both nations share quite a few similarities with the way businesses are run, as well as the attitude of the people.
They said that what enamored them about the Philippines—aside from the warm weather—was the people’s very friendly disposition in whatever place or island destination they head on to.
Deborah declared: “Everywhere we’ve been, to any island, the people are just lovely. In fact, we tell everybody in England that you have to go to the Philippines.”
Aside, of course, from Batangas, they have been to Coron and El Nido, Puerto Galera, Siquijor, Sagada, Banaue and Vigan. They still feel though that they’ve got a long way to go in exploring the whole archipelago.
One of their most enjoyable experiences was joining the Tao Philippines sailing expeditions, where they went on a deserted island in Palawan, “away from Wi-Fi, away from technology.”
There, she said, they experienced what it’s like to live for a few days, “sleeping on little huts by the beach and setting fire to a sock inserted in a bottle of Tanduay,” which basically served as their lighting.
Of the Tao Philippines trip, which they’ve already experienced thrice, Deborah described that there were 10 to 16 people on one boat. They met at 8 o’clock on a Sunday morning, then proceeded to the deserted islands. “When we left the boat, everybody just became friends for life.”
“One of the boats they used is a replica of a paraw [a double-outrigger sail boat native to the Visayas region of the Philippines—Wikipedia]. It was awesome,” exclaimed Paul.
On the issue of safety, Bluedog’s CEO said that they feel perfectly in good hands in the Philippines, contrary to what other foreigners might feel about coming over here. A lot of the Lomaxes’ friends have expressed concerns over their stay, but the couple actually encourages them to visit and come see the country for themselves.
“It gets bad press, unfortunately; [but] we feel perfectly safe,” Paul assured.
As for their favorite food, husband and wife have developed a liking for local seafood and adobo, though admittedly they have yet to try balut.
Apart from traveling, the Bluedog bigwig is into car racing in the Batangas and Clark City circuits. He used to race in the Vios Cup, and is competing in mini championships this year.
Fostering education
APART from managing their business, the couple is also active in running The Lomax Foundation, which provides underprivileged teens excelling in IT the opportunity to obtain a university degree.
With each candidate carefully chosen, the institution shoulders the students’ school expenses.
The main thrust for the foundation is to help and give the deserving teens the opportunity to study and further hone their skills. Paul and Deborah hope to employ the future graduates in their company, though they insist the students are not obligated to work for them after obtaining their degrees.
“It makes a big change for a family,” Deborah noted, as she recalled how a mother of one of their graduates was able to adopt a neighbor’s baby as they had more financial leeway—thanks primarily to the help the foundation extended to their child.
“They just thanked us for that. And I’m like saying, ‘You made it happen.’ [But the beneficiaries replied]: ‘It’s because you gave us the opportunity.’”
In all, Paul and Deborah Lomax have safeguarded their places not only in the realm of cyberspace security, but also in the hearts of the Filipinos whose lives they have touched.
That’s a secure spot no hacker could compromise.
Image credits: Jimbo Albano