Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), a global leader in IT services and consulting, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with NOW Corporation’s telecom arm, Now Telecom, to advance the Philippines’ digital sovereignty, bolster cybersecurity, and promote financial inclusion. Under the agreement, TCS will provide expertise in sovereign cloud infrastructure, cyber-defense systems, and citizen-focused digital services, supporting the development of secure, scalable networks and resilient national digital infrastructure. The partnership aligns with the principles of the Trusted Network Initiative (TNI), a global effort to ensure secure telecommunications systems.
Mel Velarde, Chairman of the NOW Group, described the collaboration as a major milestone in reducing the Philippines’ reliance on foreign technologies, emphasizing that the project will help safeguard national data, improve interoperability between agencies, and fortify defenses against cyber threats. Shiju Varghese, Country Head of TCS Philippines, said the initiative underscores TCS’s commitment to the country’s digital transformation and its ambition to help build a robust, secure digital ecosystem.
The key priorities center on safeguarding national interests in the digital domain. Data sovereignty remains a critical focus, ensuring that sensitive national data is protected from external control or influence. Alongside this, operational interoperability is essential to enable smooth coordination between government agencies and industry partners during critical events, ensuring an agile and unified response.
Equally important is the development of infrastructure resilience, with systems designed to withstand and adapt to evolving cyber threats. Reducing foreign dependency in critical technology systems further strengthens self-reliance, enabling the nation to maintain control over essential capabilities and safeguard against potential vulnerabilities in the global supply chain.
The project will use TCS’s SovereignSecure Cloud™ to deliver locally controlled cloud infrastructure, AI capabilities, and operational continuity. It will also implement the TCS Cyber Defense Suite to protect critical systems with advanced security protocols, cyber intelligence, vendor risk management, and identity protection. Citizen services will span areas such as digital infrastructure, healthcare, and digital banking, supporting the Philippines’ vision for broader financial inclusion.
TCS has operated in the Philippines since 2008, serving industries including telecom, banking, real estate, and aviation. NOW Corporation, a publicly listed firm specializing in Telecommunications, Media, and Technology, is recognized by the US. government as its Cyber Digital partner in the country and is developing secure 5G and national broadband plans with support from the USTDA.
