Kaspersky brings on-demand cybersecurity services for computers, phones to local

KASPERSKY LAB is bringing its on-demand cybersecurity solutions for computers and smart phones to the Philippines, with a partnership with Zed Philippines and Smart Communications, Inc.

The Russia-based cybersecurity firm said its will offer weekly and monthly subscriptions to its security services, which are available for a price range of P10 to P120.

“We’re excited to pilot this program in the Philippines…. We are confident that the flexibility of the pricing options will encourage more Filipinos to try the award-winning digital protection products from Kaspersky Lab,” Daewan Ku, Kaspersky Lab Asia Pacific head of xSP Project Development, said in a statement.

Kaspersky said last year that during the third quarter, the Philippines was the 10th most attacked country in the world with total malware incidents at 8.1 million.

Yeo Siang Tiong, the company’s general manager for Southeast Asia, said during a media launch on Tuesday that the Philippines is more vulnerable to threats because of its young economy, big population, higher proportion of mobile phone usage and social media usage.

“Our digital lifestyle compels us to stay connected in the World Wide Web to do almost each and every day-to-day tasks. Because of this, we have to embrace the reality that it is now more difficult to keep our personal information confidential and our money safe,” he said in a statement.

Kaspersky offers three types of services through Zed Philippines: Kaspersky Anti-Virus (KAV) for occasional, home internet users; Kaspersky Internet Security (KIS) for highly-active internet users; and Kaspersky Total Security (KTS) for heavy internet users with various devices.

Prepaid and postpaid subscribers of Smart and TNT may apply for a weekly or monthly subscription through www. kaspersky.zed.ph. Mr. Ku told reporters they are also in talks with other potential telecommunications partners.

“We already have launched in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and this is our fourth launch in Southeast Asia,” he said. “As long as our partner will successfully bring over 70% of the sales forecast, we consider it as a successful project,” Mr. Ku added, refusing to disclose the sales forecast. —