New Delhi, May 9
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday convened a high-level meeting with the Managing Directors and CEOs of Public and Private sector banks and insurance companies amidst emerging security concerns arising from tensions at the western border.
Senior officials from the Department of Financial Services (Ministry of Finance), CERT-In, RBI, IRDAI and NPCI attended the meeting, which focused on reviewing the banking sector's operational and cybersecurity preparedness, including digital public-facing applications such as internet banking and UPI, as per a statement from the Ministry of Finance.
The Managing Directors and CEOs of all the Banks and Insurance Companies apprised the Union Finance Minister about the measures they are undertaking, given the ongoing tensions at the border.
Bank MDs and CEOs informed that cybersecurity measures have been reinforced throughout the banking system.
Anti-DDoS (Distributed Denial-of-Service) systems have been implemented by banks to protect against massive cyber-attacks.
To guarantee institutional readiness, mock drills have been held encompassing cybersecurity and disaster recovery scenarios at the highest levels.
They apprised that phishing attempts are being actively watched, and staff members have received several internal alerts to increase awareness.
Bank officials stated that their Security Operations Centre (SOC) and Network Operations Centres are fully operational and on high alert.
These centres are coordinating closely with CERT-In and the National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre (NCIIPC), facilitating real-time data sharing and threat monitoring.
During the meeting, the Finance Minister stressed the critical role of the banking and financial sector in ensuring economic stability during heightened geopolitical tensions and challenging times.
She directed all banks to remain fully alert and prepared to deal with any eventuality or crisis, ensuring uninterrupted access to banking and financial services for citizens and businesses across the country, especially in border areas.
She remarked that banking services, both physical and digital, must function without disruption and glitches.
The Union Finance Minister remarked that emergency protocols should be updated and tested to handle any arising contingencies.
The Finance Minister expressed deep concern about the safety of bank employees and their families working at branches around the border areas.
She directed banks to ensure their adequate safety by effectively coordinating with the security agencies.
She asked Banks to ensure that citizens and businesses do not suffer under any circumstances, and priority must be given to seamless cash availability at ATMs, uninterrupted UPI and internet banking services, and continued access to essential banking facilities.
Nirmala Sitharaman directed banks to conduct regular audits of their cybersecurity systems and data centres and ensure that all digital and core banking infrastructure is fully firewalled and monitored round the clock to prevent breaches or any hostile cyber activity.
The FM instructed banks to designate two dedicated senior officials identified at the headquarters, one for reporting all cyber-related matters and the other to ensure operational matters, including the functioning of bank branches and the availability of cash in ATMs. Both dedicated officers should report any incident to CERT-In / relevant agencies and DFS on a real-time basis.
In this regard, Banks were also asked to coordinate in real time with the Reserve Bank of India, CERT-In and relevant Government agencies to ensure robust and agile information exchange and response.
The Finance Minister also directed insurance companies to ensure timely claim settlements and uninterrupted customer service.
The Finance Minister mentioned that the Sponsor Banks should ensure that RRBs are well-supported during these times and hand-hold them for any issues that they are facing.
Nirmala Sitharaman reiterated that the Government is firmly committed to national security and economic stability, noting that the country's banking and financial system remains robust and resilient.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Good to see proactive measures being taken! In today's digital India, cybersecurity is as important as physical security. Hope banks implement these directives properly - last year my friend lost ₹25,000 in a phishing scam. Stay vigilant! 🇮🇳
While I appreciate the government's concern, why wait for border tensions to strengthen cybersecurity? These measures should be standard practice 365 days a year. Our digital infrastructure needs permanent protection, not just during crises.
As someone from Jammu, I'm relieved to see special attention for border areas. During tensions, ATMs often run dry and net banking slows down. Hope this time the plans actually reach ground level implementation. Jai Hind!
Madam Sitharaman is doing great work! 👠In these uncertain times, knowing our money is safe gives peace of mind. Small suggestion - banks should also educate common people like my parents about spotting fraud calls/messages.
Cybersecurity is important, but what about physical bank branches in border villages? Many still don't have proper facilities. Digital India is good, but we can't ignore basic banking infrastructure in remote areas.
Mock drills and alerts are good first steps, but banks need to invest more in tech talent. Many PSU banks still use outdated systems. Time to modernize completely rather than just putting band-aids during emergencies.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.