In its compliance and commitment to implement data privacy and data protection policies as mandated by Republic Act 10173 or the Data Privacy Act of 2012, UnionBank of the Philippines (UnionBank) has partnered with National Association of Data Protection Officers of the Philippines (NADPOP), a non-stock, non-profit organization of data protection officers around the country to hold a data privacy forum.

With the theme “Global Privacy and Security by Design and its Impact on the Enterprise,” the “SELYADO 2019–Executive Forum” drew top industry executives and thought leaders on data privacy and security to discuss relevant issues and measures that impact the landscape of the finance industry.

A publicly listed universal bank and consistently lauded for its digital transformation efforts, UnionBank is recognized as one of the leaders in data privacy protection, having won seven awards in the first-ever Datos Privados Awards for Excellence, Leadership Innovation, Transformation, Experience and Service in Data Privacy organized by NADPOP early this year.

“Data privacy and protection is a salient, crucial aspect in assuring continuity and sustainability of enterprise viability, more so in a financial environment,” said Henry Aguda, chief technology and operations officer and chief transformation officer of UnionBank. “The SELYADO 2019–Executive Forum reflects UnionBank’s passionate adherence to these helpful policies and commitment to protecting customers and the public against data breaches and fraud by training and empowering not only our employees but also provide the public the necessary pointers in keeping their data safe.”

Topics discussed at the forum directed at data protection officers and chief information security officers include global standards in data privacy, privacy by design for the enterprise, building a culture of privacy in the enterprise, anatomy of data breaches, data privacy-driven business continuity strategies, and anti-financial crimes. A workshop on data protection peer-to-peer exchange for DPOs and CISOs in the banking industry was also held after the forum.

The “SELYADO 2019–Executive Forum” is just the beginning of UnionBank and NADPOP’s advocacy as it would spur academic initiatives and community engagement activities. Those in the pipeline are a Youth Leaders’ Summit that is set to launch the Junior Privacy Organization of the Philippines, and employee training and certification.

“The Philippines is poised to become a global center of excellence for data privacy and security,” said Sam Jacoba, NADPOP founding president. “By producing world-class data privacy professionals, offering privacy services through BPOs, and developing privacy and security solutions for the local and global privacy industries.”

The “SELYADO 2019–Executive Forum” is organized by UnionBank’s Data Privacy and Compliance Group in cooperation with the NADPOP’s Alliance and Partnership Group.