BPI, DICT team up for specialized cybersecurity training for public sector officers

As cybercrime continues to pose risks to the country’s digital and financial ecosystems, the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) and the Department of Information and Communications Technology-ICT Literacy and Competency Development Bureau (DICT-ILCDB) have forged a partnership aimed at strengthening cybersecurity capabilities across government institutions.

BPI and DICT-ILCDB signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on January 20, 2026, formalizing their collaboration on cybersecurity capacity building. Under the partnership, DICT-ILCDB will work with BPI in identifying and selecting government officers who will undergo specialized cybersecurity training to help strengthen institutional readiness and resilience against cyber-enabled financial crimes.

“Protecting our clients and communities extends beyond banking services. It includes contributing to national efforts that build digital trust and resilience,” said Cathy Santamaria, Chief Customer and Marketing Officer at BPI.

“Through our partnership with DICT-ILCDB, we aim to help strengthen the cybersecurity capabilities of government institutions and support a safer digital environment for all Filipinos,” she added.

The partnership builds on the BPI CyberAcademy, a public-private cybersecurity training initiative designed to support national efforts to combat financial cybercrime. Through a structured and standardized curriculum, the program provides participants with practical tools, shared terminology, and applied knowledge in cybersecurity, digital fraud, and cybercrime prevention.

This partnership comes amid rising cybercrime complaints recorded in recent years. Data from the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) show that over 10,000 cybercrime complaints were lodged in 2024, over three times the 3,300 cases reported in previous years, with total losses reaching close to PHP 200 million, largely driven by online scams and fraud cases. These trends underscore the urgent need to equip government personnel with the skills and knowledge required to address increasingly sophisticated digital threats.

In 2024, BPI successfully implemented the CyberAcademy in partnership with DICT, the United States Agency for International Development-Better Access and Connectivity (USAID-BEACON), and Trends Academy. The initiative supported the national agenda to build cyber resilience among public sector employees, particularly those handling financial transactions and digital operations.

As part of the program, 17 government officers from various agencies completed the CompTIA Security+ training and certification program, enhancing their skills in cybersecurity and digital forensics, with 12 participants earning a certification. The program concluded with ceremonial awarding activities at participants’ respective offices, reflecting strengthened collaboration between the public and private sectors.

Through the recently signed MOU, BPI and DICT-ILCDB reaffirm their shared commitment to digital trust, cybersecurity awareness, and nation-building by investing in the skills and preparedness of the public sector in an increasingly digital economy.