BPI Strengthens Cybersecurity and AI Governance

BPI Strengthens Cybersecurity and AI Governance to Combat Scams

Cybersecurity as a Shared Responsibility

The Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) is doubling down on its cybersecurity efforts as scams and digital threats continue to evolve. With the holiday season approaching—a time when online transactions spike and fraudsters get bolder—BPI is reminding Filipinos that cybersecurity is not just a technical issue. It’s a community concern. BPI Strengthens Cybersecurity and AI Governance to Combat Scams

BPI’s Chief Technology Officer, Alex Seminiano, emphasized that while the bank invests heavily in advanced technologies and partnerships with regulators, the public’s role is equally important. “Education and awareness are just as critical,” he said. And he’s right. Even the most sophisticated firewalls can’t protect someone who willingly clicks on a fake link or shares their OTP with a scammer.

This is where the balance between technology and human vigilance comes in. Banks can build the walls, but users need to lock the doors.

The Rise of Smarter Scams

The threats we face today are no longer the clumsy phishing emails of a decade ago. We’re talking about AI-driven phishing attacks, SIM swap fraud, deepfake scams, and IMSI catcher devices that can intercept mobile communications. These aren’t just buzzwords—they’re real, active threats designed to bypass traditional defenses.

Take deepfakes, for example. Imagine receiving a video call from someone who looks and sounds exactly like your boss, asking you to transfer funds. Or a cloned voice message from a family member requesting urgent help. These scams are engineered to exploit trust, not just technology.

For readers, this means the old advice of “just don’t click suspicious links” isn’t enough anymore. You need to be aware of how advanced these scams have become.

 

Practical Steps for Everyday Protection

BPI’s Enterprise Information Security Officer and Data Protection Officer, Jon Paz, laid out simple but powerful steps that every Filipino can take:

• Stay informed about common scams and how they work.
• Use strong, unique passwords and enable multi-factor authentication.
• Be cautious of unsolicited messages and suspicious links.
• Report any unusual activity to your bank immediately.

These may sound basic, but they’re effective. Think of them as the seatbelts of digital life. You don’t notice them most of the time, but when things go wrong, they can save you.

From my perspective, the biggest challenge isn’t the lack of tools—it’s complacency. Too many people still think, “It won’t happen to me.” But scams don’t discriminate. Whether you’re a student with a GCash account or a business owner managing payroll, you’re a target.

AI Governance: Beyond Compliance

One of the more interesting aspects of BPI’s strategy is its focus on AI governance. Every generative AI use case undergoes bias reviews, internal controls, and regulatory checks before deployment. This ensures that AI is used responsibly, securely, and transparently.

As Paz put it, “Our responsibility goes beyond compliance. We want to make sure every AI use case is secure, transparent, and fair.”

This matters because AI is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it can detect fraud patterns faster than any human. On the other, it can be weaponized by scammers to create more convincing attacks. By putting governance at the center, BPI is acknowledging that AI isn’t just a tool—it’s a responsibility.

For readers, this means the bank isn’t just reacting to threats. It’s proactively shaping how AI is used in financial services, ensuring that innovation doesn’t come at the cost of security.

 

Industry-Wide Initiatives

BPI isn’t fighting this battle alone. Its cybersecurity leadership extends across the industry through several initiatives:

• BPI CARES: Helps clients navigate the process of reporting cybercrime cases.
• CyberAcademy: Builds cross-sector knowledge with law enforcement and financial institutions.
• CyberProtect 2025: An annual flagship conference uniting public and private sectors to strengthen national digital defenses.
• #BPICybersecuriTips: An award-winning campaign that educates Filipinos on the latest scams, from IMSI catchers that mimic cell towers to voice cloning scams and fake bank payment links.

These programs show that BPI isn’t just protecting its own customers—it’s contributing to a stronger national defense against cybercrime.

And honestly, that’s refreshing. Too often, companies treat cybersecurity as a competitive advantage rather than a shared responsibility. BPI’s approach feels more collaborative, and that benefits everyone.

 

My Take: Why This Matters to You

I’ve covered enough tech stories to know that cybersecurity doesn’t always grab headlines. It’s not as flashy as a new smartphone launch or as exciting as a billion-peso startup valuation. But here’s the truth: none of those things matter if your digital life isn’t secure.

The rise of AI-driven scams means that anyone can be fooled. Even tech-savvy users. Even journalists like me. That’s why I appreciate BPI’s dual approach: investing in advanced defenses while also educating the public.

For readers, the benefit is clear. You’re not just getting a bank that processes your transactions—you’re getting a partner that actively works to keep you safe. And in today’s digital world, that’s worth more than any interest rate.

And let’s face it—nobody wants to spend their holiday season arguing with a scammer over a fake payment link.

 

Building a Culture of Digital Confidence

At the end of the day, cybersecurity isn’t just about technology. It’s about trust. It’s about making sure that when you open your banking app, you feel confident that your money and data are safe.

BPI’s message is simple but powerful: cybersecurity is not just about firewalls—it’s about people. By combining innovation, governance, and public awareness, the bank is building a culture where Filipinos can embrace digital banking without fear.

For me, that’s the real story here. Technology should empower us, not intimidate us. And when banks, regulators, and consumers work together, we can make sure it does exactly that.

Stay informed through BPI’s official social media pages and visit the BPI Cybersecurity Page for the latest tips and updates.