Building a Safer Financial Future: Why BPI’s Cyber Commitment Should Be a National Standard

In a digital economy that grows more complex and interconnected by the day, the threat of financial cybercrime has become an ever-present concern. The recent National Cybercrime Summit 2025, organized by the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG), highlighted this urgency, bringing together leaders across sectors to address emerging digital threats. The Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), a long-standing pillar in the financial industry, stepped forward at this summit to reaffirm its commitment to cybersecurity and consumer protection a move that reflects both foresight and leadership.

Held at Camp Crame in Quezon City, the summit gathered stakeholders to explore a shared vision of a cyber-resilient Philippines. BPI’s contribution to the event was not just symbolic but deeply strategic. Atty. Victorino Lazaro, Jr., head of BPI’s Cybercrime – Legal unit, showcased the bank’s evolving approach through its BPI CARES initiative, which assists customers in navigating cybercrime cases and collaborating with law enforcement. In an age where phishing, fraud, and account takeovers are increasingly sophisticated, such mechanisms are no longer optional they’re essential.

What sets BPI apart is its recognition that cybersecurity is a shared responsibility. From its active support of the newly passed Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act (AFASA) to the development of standardized training modules under its CyberAcademy program, BPI is not just defending its digital perimeter it’s elevating the cybersecurity ecosystem as a whole. AFASA, in particular, is a timely legislative measure, creating unified protocols that foster greater coordination across financial institutions and streamline the process for resolving cybercrime cases.

As Elena Torrijos, BPI’s Public Affairs and Communications Head, rightly noted, the journey toward cyber resilience depends as much on cooperation and communication as it does on technology. This blend of public-private collaboration is exactly what’s needed to shift from a reactive posture to a truly resilient cybersecurity culture.

For other businesses and institutions especially those navigating sensitive digital environments BPI’s efforts offer a blueprint worth following. At Directpath Global Technologies (DGT), we support this vision by helping organizations build their own layered defenses through services like MTD, XDR, VAPT, SOC2 compliance, VRMaaS, WAF, and vCISO support. Our AI division also empowers clients to tailor strategies that go beyond cybersecurity, optimizing broader operational resilience.

Cyber threats won’t wait, and neither should the response. As BPI leads by example, the call to action is clear: it's time for every organization to elevate its cybersecurity commitment from reactive protection to proactive partnership. Source: Malaya Business Insight