In an era where digital innovation propels the financial sector forward, Singapore stands at the forefront, championing a fintech journey characterised by innovation, inclusion, and inspiration.
This journey, aimed at enhancing lives and fostering an inclusive society, has positioned the nation as an economic powerhouse.
The advent of cross-border electronic payments is a prime example of this technological evolution, offering companies and individuals the ability to conduct instantaneous transactions not only within Singapore but also with partners in Malaysia, Indonesia, India, and Thailand. This breakthrough in financial technology epitomises convenience and efficiency, yet it also inadvertently expands the digital attack surface, exposing financial organisations to increasingly sophisticated cyberthreats.
Recent statistics from the Singapore Police Force and the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA) highlight a worrying trend: a significant rise in scam cases and ransomware incidents, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced cybersecurity measures. In response, the Singapore government has introduced initiatives such as the Shared Responsibility Framework and the CSA’s Safe App Standard, aiming to bolster consumer protection and apportion greater responsibility for cybersecurity to financial and telecommunication institutions.
Digitalisation increases compliance costs
In the fast-evolving landscape of finance, banks grapple with the delicate balance of meeting and exceeding customer expectations while staying on top of cybersecurity risks and navigating stringent data privacy regulations. As they strive for increasing digitalisation to maximise operational efficiencies, the expanding digital realm adds complexity, resulting in increased operating costs, particularly in compliance for both retail and corporate banks.
As with many other sectors, under-resourcing of IT and security operations (SecOps) teams in banking and finance further complicates the fulfilment of security and compliance obligations. A recent Fortinet SecOps survey found that only 44% of businesses have dedicated IT resources for security and 92% of respondents find it challenging to keep their team’s skills updated with the rapidly changing threat landscape.
However, it’s essential to view security requirements not as check boxes to be ticked off for mere compliance, but as catalysts for innovation and risk management. They present an opportunity for banks and other financial institutions to strengthen their cybersecurity measures while adhering to evolving regulations.
To navigate these challenges and ensure cyber resilience, financial institutions must prioritise five key security practices:
- Visibility: In an era dominated by mobile, Internet of Things (IoT), and cloud technologies, banks require comprehensive surveillance across all environments to effectively combat cyberthreats.
- Security Automation: To alleviate the burden on security teams, automating routine tasks and implementing policy-as-code measures are essential. Strategically, organisations should focus on leveraging automation tools to streamline response triage, accelerate incident containment, and minimise recovery time.
- Operational Efficiency through Automation: Integrated cybersecurity solutions that automate tasks can minimise the need for constant vigilance and manual configurations, enhancing efficiency. With at least 25% of security alerts in Singapore being false alarms, automation can help reduce the time taken to detect and respond to real threats.
- Flexibility: An adaptable security infrastructure capable of enforcing policies across various architectures is crucial for robust protection against evolving threats.
- Compliance Reporting: With an emphasis on cyber resilience by central banks, maintaining compliance while proactively defending against cyberthreats is essential.
Cybersecurity risk management for banks
Cyber risk management in today’s banking landscape extends beyond technical measures to encompass a holistic, organisation-wide approach. However, many institutions grapple with limited tools to gauge cybersecurity risks, especially when integrating new features and technologies.
Recent regulations emphasise operational resilience, advocating for a globally aligned risk management framework. This international convergence seeks to standardise practices, reducing fragmentation.
As banks evolve digitally, a harmonised approach to risk management that considers global regulations and third-party integrations is essential for a secure and progressive banking sector.
With the financial sector continuing to integrate software-as-a-service solutions and unify networking and protection platforms, the importance of advanced defence mechanisms and compliance considerations cannot be overstated. Banks that successfully implement these strategies will not only safeguard their operations but also foster enhanced customer trust and loyalty, proving that in the face of digital advancement, security remains paramount.
This journey towards cyber resilience is both a challenge and an imperative for the financial sector. By embracing these practices, banks can achieve a secure and trustworthy environment, essential for thriving in the digital age and reinforcing Singapore’s position as a fintech leader on the global stage.
