With cyber threats becoming more sophisticated, the British Chamber of Commerce Philippines (BCCP) is taking action by hosting its latest Trade & Connect event, “Building Cyber Trust: Cybersecurity and Innovation for a Resilient Future,” on 25 March 2025 at 4 p.m. via Zoom. The event will address emerging digital security challenges and highlight innovative solutions to strengthen cybersecurity in the Philippines.

The forum will serve as a platform for discussions on policy advancements, digital trust, and cross-sector collaboration. This comes as the Philippines moves up to 53rd place in the 2024 United Nations Global Cybersecurity Index, reflecting strides in its cybersecurity initiatives.

Leading cybersecurity experts will take center stage, including Roberto Tayag, CEO of CyberQ Group in the Asia-Pacific, who will discuss the country’s cybersecurity landscape and strategies for cloud security and data protection. Paul Jackson, CEO of THEOS Cyber, will also join the panel to explore ways governments, industries, and businesses can work together to enhance digital security while driving innovation.

BCCP has been a strong advocate for cybersecurity policies, actively supporting the Cybersecurity Act, which aims to mitigate cyber threats and protect digital transactions. The Chamber has also collaborated with the British Embassy and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) in previous cybersecurity initiatives, reinforcing the UK’s expertise in the field.

BCCP Executive Chairman Chris Nelson stressed the importance of legislative support and public-private partnerships in strengthening the country’s cyber defenses. “Cybersecurity is a worldwide issue and is not just impacting the Philippines. In that context, I would stress two key points, the first is the Cybersecurity Act and the Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act are both priorities of the government… It is a key issue, particularly, for the financial sector — but also across the whole area. We strongly urge the passage of those key legislation which will reinforce and make the companies and the public even more aware of this,” he said.

Nelson also highlighted the UK’s leadership in cybersecurity, citing BCCP’s partnerships with industry players such as CyberQ. “We are doing this in partnership with one of our key members like CyberQ, they are a UK company with a Philippines affiliate. I would just emphasize cybersecurity is also a key expertise from the UK. We had a cybersecurity reception here. This is about making continued awareness and actions,” he added.

As the digital economy continues to expand, the need for robust cybersecurity measures grows. The upcoming Trade & Connect event aims to provide valuable insights on fortifying digital defenses and ensuring a secure future for businesses and institutions in the Philippines.