Union Bank of the Philippines (UnionBank)’s data privacy officer and head of AI and Data Policy Maria Francesca Montes was cited as among the Philippines’ Top 10 Women in Security by SecurityMatters Magazine (SMM), the Philippine Women in Cyber Alliance (PCWA), and the Women in Security and Resilience Alliance (WSECRA) in a recent virtual ceremony.
The accolade aims to recognize women who have been empowered in security across the Philippines and who have made significant contributions to advance the security industry, as they shape the path for future generations of professionals, among other vital contributions.
Montes joined UnionBank in 2018 as its data protection officer, and now heads its Artificial Intelligence and Data Policy, a growing field in the Philippines where she blazes new trails for the others to follow.
She co-authored “Data Privacy & Cybercrime Prevention in the Philippine Digital Age,” a book that seeks to help Filipinos who wish to become fully acquainted with their online rights and responsibilities under Philippine law.
Prior to joining UnionBank, Montes was a pioneer in self-regulatory body in television broadcasting network with campaign for child protection and responsible media contents in mass communication.
She worked in government posts focused at international and domestic humanitarian law, coastal and marine protection, and environment conservation.
She later joined a telecommunications company as contracts manager, while studying law in the evening.
