The Philippines Herald |Copperstone Lending Backs Whole-of-Nation Push Against Cybercrime at CyberConvergence 2026 | Co-sponsor Copperstone joins law enforcement, industry leaders, academe, and students at UMak to strengthen the country’s cyber defenses
MAKATI CITY, October 20, 2026 — As online scams, impersonation schemes, and digital fraud grow more sophisticated, government, industry, and academe gathered at the UMak Performing Arts Theatre for CyberConvergence 2026, a full-day summit held under the theme “A Whole-of-Nation Approach in Building a Resilient Cyberspace.” Copperstone Lending Inc. took part as a co-sponsor, reaffirming its commitment to protecting Filipino consumers from cyber threats.
A Summit Built on Collaboration
The event brought together cybersecurity experts, law enforcement officials, industry practitioners, educators, and students. Dean Joel Mangaba of the College of Computer and Information Sciences (CCIS) at the University of the Makati opened the program with welcome remarks, followed by an inspirational message from Angel T. Redoble, Chairman and Founding President of the Philippine Cybersecurity Professionals Society (PICSPro).
The keynote was delivered by PMGEN Andre P. Dizon, Acting Director of the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group, who spoke on “The State of Philippine Cyber Security: Building National Resilience Through a Whole-of-Nation Approach.” His message was that no single agency or company can face cyber threats alone. Protecting cyberspace takes the government, the private sector, schools, and ordinary citizens working together.
Understanding the Threat Landscape
The first plenary session, The National Cybersecurity Landscape, gave attendees a close look at what is happening online. PCOL Jay D. Guillermo, Chief of the PNP-ACG Investigation Division, presented “Emerging Cyber Threats 2026.” Redoble followed with a talk on cyber-enabled cognitive grooming, which examines how online manipulation can influence the way people think, trust, and make decisions.
For a lending company, these topics are close to home. Fake lending applications, brand impersonation, and fraudulent promotions are among the schemes that target borrowers, and the people behind them often depend on deception rather than technical hacking.
Copperstone’s Voice in the Conversation
During the morning plenary, David Balamon, CEO of Copperstone, shared the company’s perspective on the digital landscape. He spoke about how fast the online lending environment is changing and the responsibility that comes with serving customers in a digital space. In his view, fighting cybercrime requires more than strong systems. It also requires informed consumers who can tell legitimate lending channels from fraudulent ones.
Balamon stressed that the simplest habit is often the most effective defense: always check and verify information before acting on it.
“Before you click a link, download an app, or share your personal details, stop and verify. Check if the source is legitimate, confirm it through official channels, and never take a message, offer, or promotion at face value,” Balamon said.
He added that vigilance and public awareness are as important as technology, and that companies, regulators, and law enforcement must share intelligence and respond together. He also pointed to Copperstone’s continuing efforts to educate the public on how to recognize unauthorized platforms and protect their personal information.
Strengthening Organizational Resilience
The afternoon sessions focused on practical defense. Engineers from ATRA led a Cybersecurity Challenge, with sessions on the Enterprise Security Risk Assessment Program (ESRAP) by Engr. Jeanne Manrique and End-to-End Cyber Defense by Engr. Justine Kyle Alitao. John Rey Liwaliw of PICSPro-La Union discussed “Cyber Security Beyond Technology: Building a Resilient Digital Nation,” a reminder that people, habits, and culture matter as much as software and hardware.
The sponsors then joined a panel discussion, “Whole-of-Nation Cyber Security: From Strategy to Action,” on how private-sector partners can turn policy commitments into real protections.
Investing in the Next Generation
Students and young professionals took part throughout the day. The CyberConvergence 2026 Awards recognized Cybersecurity Leadership in the Public Sector, Academe, and Student categories, honoring those who are building a safer digital environment. The program closed with the presentation and adoption of the CyberConvergence 2026 Declaration, A Whole-of-Nation Commitment to Building a Resilient Cyberspace, followed by a Commitment Ceremony.
Why It Matters to Copperstone
Copperstone joined fellow co-sponsors Fortinet, VSTECS Phils., Maya, PDAX, Sekuro, GCash, and UCCSI in supporting the summit, a reflection of its belief that financial services providers have a role in keeping the public safe online.
“Responsible lending doesn’t stop at the loan itself,” the company said in supporting the event. “It also means helping our customers and the wider public stay safe from the scams and threats that exploit digital platforms.” Copperstone reminds the public to always check and verify before transacting: use only its official, verified channels, and report suspicious applications, messages, or promotions that claim to represent the company.
