BPI hosts Cybersecurity and Consumer Protection Conference

The Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) spearheaded the Cybersecurity and Consumer Protection Conference on July 31, 2024, in partnership with different government offices and private organizations. This initiative is part of BPI’s effort to help further strengthen the country’s cybersecurity efforts in the age of artificial intelligence (AI).

Aptly themed as “Securing Consumer Trust and Fortifying Cyber-Resilience in an AI World,” the conference also underscored the importance of involving both public and private sectors in the conversation to effectively foster policies that promote consumer protection and cybersecurity.

“At BPI, one of our main thrusts is digitalization. We understand that as we embrace the digital age, it is necessary that we shield our digital systems from the ever-evolving cyber threats that endanger our operations and the trust of our customers,” said TG Limcaoco, BPI President and CEO. “This commitment to safeguarding our digital infrastructure is not just a business imperative but a responsibility we owe to our stakeholders and to the nation.”

The conference featured experts from the Senate of the Philippines, House of Representatives, Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), National Privacy Commission (NPC), the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC), the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Asian Institute of Management (AIM), USAID Better Access and Connectivity (BEACON) project, and Secure Connections.

Sharing their expertise and knowledge, the roster of speakers included Chairperson of the Committee on Banks, Financial Institutions and Currencies, Senator Mark Villar; DICT Secretary Ivan Uy; Privacy Commissioner John Henry Naga, NPC; Undersecretary Alexander Ramos, CICC Executive Director; Undersecretary Amanda Marie Nograles, DTI Consumer Affairs and Legal Services Group; Asst. Secretary Renato Paraiso, DICT Legal Affairs; Atty. Glory Grace Arugay, SEC; and Col. Francel Margareth Padilla-Taborlupa, AFP Spokesperson. From the private sector and the academia, speakers included Prof. Philip Kwa, AIM Clinical Professor and Academic Program Director for Master in Cybersecurity and Engr. Pierre Tito Galla, USAID BEACON Cybersecurity Lead.

The panel discussions were moderated by Atty. Richard Leo Baldueza, House of Representatives Banks and Financial Intermediaries Committee Secretary; Mary Grace Mirandilla-Santos, Secure Connections ICT Policy Analyst; and Dr. William Emmanuel Yu, Secure Connections Network Security Expert.

“We are thankful to have benefitted from the wealth of essential information shared by the government, the private sector, and international organizations. Their perspectives on the opportunities and challenges that come with AI allow banking institutions like BPI to make better-informed decisions on ensuring safer and more secure digital banking services for the public,” said Ginbee Go, BPI Consumer Banking Head.

“We at BPI have made it a point to continue working closely with various stakeholders to create a more resilient and secure environment through better technology, supportive regulations, strong enforcement and sustained education. Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility of public and private sectors with the active vigilance and participation of every citizen,” she added.

The BPI Cybersecurity and Consumer Protection Conference saw nearly 200 in-person participants, including industry leaders, government officials, media, students, and cybersecurity professionals. Highlights of the conference included calls for stronger legislative measures, enhanced inter-agency cooperation, and the adoption of advanced cybersecurity technologies to protect consumers in the digital age.

“We are proud to support the government’s cybersecurity initiatives aimed at protecting Filipinos from various scams and cyber threats. The collaborative efforts of our government and private sector partners are crucial in creating a secure and resilient cyber environment for all,” Limcaoco said.