Proximus Global, through its SMS business subsidiary 365squared, has launched an innovative AI driven solution called 365guard, aimed at protecting mobile network operators (MNOs) and their users from spam messages, fraud, and phishing attacks.
The scale of spam messages is shocking. According to the Global Anti Fraud Alliance, in 2024 alone, scammers stole $1.03 trillion from consumers worldwide. SMS and phone calls have become the main means of spreading fraud. In digital markets such as Brazil, Kenya, and the Philippines, text messaging has surpassed voice calls to become the most common form of fraud. Methods such as SMS phishing (phishing scams sent through SMS) are on the rise and have caused serious financial losses. Proximus Global reported through its international communication service provider BICS that a total of 331 million phishing messages were detected worldwide in 2024. According to the US Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), each victim of SMS phishing attacks loses an average of 800 dollars.
Proximus Global provides a disruptive solution to this increasingly pressing issue. This platform utilizes advanced AI driven analysis technology to provide a more intelligent alternative to outdated and static detection systems. Its dynamic threat detection engine can continuously learn and optimize to respond to regional spam messaging activities and increasingly complex network attacks.
365squared CEO Tonio Ellul stated that "spam messages are becoming an increasingly serious threat that must be addressed at the industry level. This should not be dealt with solely by consumers. 365guard provides operators with efficient full custody solutions to protect customers, comply with regulations, and prevent network congestion. Our system has been put into use and verified, capable of intercepting millions of fraudulent text messages every day. Its AI engine will continuously optimize over time to provide stronger protection services for everyone. ”
365guard adopts AI driven analysis and threat detection technology, providing a more intelligent alternative to traditional rule-based static systems. Its dynamic detection engine can continuously learn and adapt to regional threats. Against the backdrop of constantly evolving fraud techniques, varying regulatory policies across regions, and the escalating scale and complexity of AI based attacks, this capability is crucial. The solution is divided into three stages: recording suspicious activity, notifying mobile network operators (MNOs), and taking preventive measures. According to the preference of the operator, this solution can directly intercept suspected spam messages or add a warning prefix at the beginning of the message to alert consumers to potential fraud risks.
365guard also complements existing security solutions in the Proximus Global product portfolio, including products from Proximus Global's subsidiaries Telesign and BICS. This unified approach provides a flexible toolkit for mobile operators and enterprises to protect individual to individual (P2P) and application to individual (A2P) communication channels.
Rajdip Gupta, Business Head of Proximus Global, stated that telecom fraud poses an existential threat to the mobile industry. If left unchecked, it will weaken people's trust in SMS and mobile communication. 365guard is a powerful tool for mobile network operators (MNOs) to effectively reduce SMS fraud and strengthen secure communication globally. It works perfectly with Proximus Global's cloud solutions, providing operators with on premises or cloud deployment options for comprehensive protection. ”
As regulatory policies continue to evolve and fraudsters continue to use cutting-edge AI technology to carry out malicious activities, it is crucial for the world to adopt AI driven security tools such as 365guard. Proximus Global integrates the strengths of its Route Mobile, Telesign, and BICS, leading the way in shaping the future security communication landscape and development worldwide.
