Closing the cyber protection gap in Asia-Pacific
At MWC Barcelona 2026, Philip Weiner, Chief Executive Officer, Asia-Pacific at bolttech, discusses why cyber risk has become one of the most urgent protection challenges facing consumers across the region – and what must change next.
As digital adoption accelerates and AI reshapes how people live, work and transact, cyber threats are becoming more frequent, more sophisticated and harder to detect. Asia-Pacific sits at the centre of this shift: one of the world’s most digitally engaged regions, yet increasingly exposed to scams, fraud and online harm.
Insights from the bolttech Asia-Pacific Cyber Safety Landscape 2026 reveal a critical perception gap. While a strong majority of consumers believe they practise good online safety, far fewer consistently follow the behaviours needed to stay protected. This disconnect is a key driver behind the growing number of cyber incidents – many of which result in direct financial loss.
The research also highlights a shift in expectations. Nearly half of consumers now view cyber safety as a shared responsibility, spanning governments, financial institutions, technology providers, telcos and individuals themselves. For telcos in particular, sitting at the centre of the digital ecosystem, this presents an opportunity to move beyond connectivity and embed protection directly into everyday digital experiences.
In this interview, Philip explains:
- why awareness alone is no longer enough
- why customers are ready to act
- and why collaboration across the ecosystem is essential to closing the cyber protection gap before risks escalate further
Watch the full interview from MWC Barcelona 2026 below.
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