VIA GRAPHIC PLUS — As cyber threats grow more sophisticated and interconnected, the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) is calling on government, law enforcement, industry leaders, and consumers to unite in strengthening the country’s defenses against digital fraud.
At the CyberProtect Conference, themed “Defend as One: Building a United Front Towards Consumer Protection,” held on July 30 at Fairmont Makati, BPI convened more than 250 leaders from across government, law enforcement, the banking industry, the academe, students, senior citizens, and the private sector.
Recognising that no single institution can address today’s cyber risks alone, the summit advanced a shared agenda for consumer protection by fostering the exchange of actionable insights, proven practices, and coordinated approaches that strengthen the country’s collective cyber resilience.
In time for BPI’s 175th anniversary celebration, this year’s conference expands its impact through a dedicated CyberAcademy session for law enforcement and specialized industry discussions, reinforcing the importance of coordinated action in addressing cyber risks.
BPI President and CEO TG Limcaoco said a resilient digital ecosystem rests on three pillars of defense: strong institutions, informed consumers, and active collaboration.
“Strong institutions continuously invest in systems and safeguards. Informed consumers serve as the first line of defense. Active collaboration brings together government, regulators, law enforcement, industry, and communities to address threats that no organization can solve alone. That belief has guided CyberProtect from the very beginning,” Limcaoco said.
“Cybersecurity today is not simply an IT issue. It is a consumer issue, a business issue, and increasingly, a national issue. Our response must be just as interconnected as the risks we face,” he added.
The conference featured a distinguished lineup of speakers from government, regulatory agencies, law enforcement, and the private sector. Among them were BPI President and CEO TG Limcaoco; BSP Deputy Governor Bernadette Romulo-Puyat; DICT Secretary Henry Rhoel R. Aguda; and National Privacy Commission Chairman Atty. Johann Carlos S. Barcena. Discussions focused on bridging the gap between policy and practice, strengthening national cybersecurity, advancing data privacy protection, and enhancing collaboration among stakeholders to safeguard consumers in the digital economy. The event also included specialized breakout sessions for the industry leaders and representatives, bank employees, and law enforcement officers covering scam awareness, fraud prevention, cybercrime investigation, and consumer protection.
Since its launch, the conference has grown from 183 attendees in 2023 to 215 in 2024, reaching a record 250 participants in 2025. The steady growth reflects the increasing urgency of protecting consumers from evolving cyber threats and reinforces BPI’s call for government, industry, law enforcement, and consumers to work together in strengthening cybersecurity awareness, promoting shared responsibility, and building a safer and more resilient digital future for every Filipino.
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