(Press Release)
The Bankers Association of the Philippines (BAP) has teamed up with the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) for an information dissemination campaign on cybersecurity and data protection in the country. A memorandum of understanding was signed on November 17, 2021.
The partnership kicks off the banking industry organization’s aggressive Anti-Scam Campaign, a wide-ranging information program that aims to promote cybersecurity, cybersafety, and awareness among the Filipino banking public. The launch also coincided with the observance of the International Fraud Awareness Week, which highlights the importance of cybersecurity and cyber education to global citizens.
“Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility,” said BAP President Wick Veloso. “With this partnership with KBP, we are able to keep the public informed and educated on the latest trends and scenarios on cybercrime, considering the growing threats of cybercriminals. They have clearly stepped up their game as they try to take advantage of the rapid online migration of essential activities amid Covid-19 pandemic.”
The Anti-Scam Campaign intends to help Filipinos prevent falling as victims of cybercrimes. At the same time, it aims to help those who have fallen as victims to manage the situation. Veloso added, “We also want to provide information about what to do when you get victimized. How do you approach the police and the authorities? What laws and regulations could put cybercriminals to justice?”
Key officials of the BAP and KBP show the heart symbol, which also appears as an “X”, to demonstrate their commitment to helping protect consumers against cyber fraud through the CybersecurityX program. From left, 1st row: BAP Cybersecurity Committee Vice Chair Ramon L. Jocson, BAP President Jose Arnulfo “Wick” Veloso, and BAP Cybersecurity Committee Chair Edwin R. Bautista; 2nd row, BAP Executive Director Benjamin P. Castillo, KBP Chairman Ruperto “Jun” S. Nicdao, Jr., and KBP EVP Noel C. Galvez; 3rd row, KBP President Herman Z. Basbaño
Collaboration with broadcast media
“We believe that this collaboration will result in a more intensive consumer awareness and education as a strong first line of defense against cyber threats,” said KBP Chairman Jun Nicdao.
The partnership with KBP will also cover the rollout of the campaign across the digital space as all of the group’s broadcast members also run their digital assets. “We have been undergoing a digital transformation so that most of our members are not just on terrestrial but also on digital and even social media,” said Nicdao.
Aside from the mainstream broadcast media, the campaign will also involve other stakeholders—including government agencies and social media influencers—throughout the country. BAP would soon sign a memorandum of agreement still for this program with the Department of Justice (DOJ) with the goal to further train cybercrime enforces and prosecutors in holding cybercriminals accountable for their deeds.
Additional initiatives
The Bank Marketing Association of the Philippines (BMAP) will also serve as an official partner in unifying the execution of the Anti-Scam Campaign through the social media assets of some of BAP’s 21 local member-banks.
Prior to the campaign’s launch, BAP also rolled out the BAP #Cybersafe page on Facebook on November 14. This is also aimed at increasing public awareness of cybersecurity by urging netizens to remain vigilant against different types of cyberattacks.
“BAP, together with its partners, will work towards equipping Filipinos with the necessary information and tools they need to stop cybercriminals from harming the public and stealing their hard-earned money,” Veloso concluded.
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