Course Content

Section 1: Understanding the BFSI Cyber Threat Landscape

– Overview of cyber threats targeting financial institutions, fintech, and payment platforms.

– Case studies on bank fraud, identity theft, and payment system breaches.

– The impact of cyberattacks on customer trust, financial losses, and regulatory penalties.

Section 2. Modern Cyber Threats, Prevention, and Incident Response

– Recognizing real-world financial cyber threats, including phishing, AI-driven scams, and payment fraud.

– Proactive fraud prevention strategies, including secure authentication and transaction monitoring.

– Incident response essentials: detecting, reporting, and responding to unauthorized transactions and security breaches.

Section 3. Key Standards and Frameworks in the BFSI Industry

The BFSI sector is heavily regulated to ensure the security of financial transactions, customer data, and digital banking operations. This module provides an overview of key security standards, compliance frameworks, and regulatory requirements, helping organizations mitigate cyber risks and prevent financial fraud.

– PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) – A global standard ensuring the security of payment card transactions and customer financial data.

– ISO 27001 & GDPR – International standards for information security management and data privacy compliance – adopted by financial institutions.

– FFIEC (Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council) – U.S. cyber security guidelines for banks and financial institutions.

– MAS TRM (Monetary Authority of Singapore Technology Risk Management Guidelines) – A security framework ensuring fintech and banking resilience in Singapore.

– BNM RMiT (Risk Management in Technology, Malaysia) – Cyber Security and risk management guidelines issued by Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) to strengthen financial institutions’ technology risk management and operational resilience.

– RBI Cyber Security Framework for Banks (2016) – Issued by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), this framework mandates cyber security controls for Indian banks, including risk assessment, fraud monitoring, secure authentication, and incident response protocols.

Section 4. Cyber Security Best Practices & Incident Preparedness in BFSI

This section covers 10 critical cyber security best practices, tailored to employees working in banking, financial services, and payments:

4.1. Secure Authentication

Strengthening authentication processes with multi-factor authentication (MFA) and biometric verification to prevent fraudulent account access.

4.2. Identifying and Avoiding Phishing & AI-Driven Scams

How fraudsters use email scams, fake financial portals, and social engineering tactics to steal customer data and banking credentials.

4.3. Preventing and Responding to Ransomware Attacks

Understanding the risk of ransomware attacks targeting financial databases, and implementing secure backups and incident response protocols.

4.4. Identifying and Reporting Cyber Security Incidents

The importance of real-time fraud detection, monitoring suspicious transactions, and reporting anomalies to prevent financial loss.

4.5. Safe Internet and Email Practices

Avoiding malware infections by identifying fraudulent emails, preventing unauthorized downloads, and securing financial communication channels.

4.6. Preventing Data Mishandling & Unauthorized Access

Ensuring secure handling of customer financial data, encryption of transaction records, and compliance with GDPR and PCI DSS.

4.7. Securing Your Mobile Devices

Protecting mobile banking applications, payment processing devices, and remote financial workstations from unauthorized access and fraud.

4.8. Securing Remote Work Environments

Ensuring secure VPN access for remote financial employees, reducing the risk of data interception and unauthorized transactions.

4.9. Safe Social Media Use

Preventing fraudsters from gathering intelligence on financial institutions, employees, and VIP clients through social engineering and data leaks.

4.10. Safe AI Usage Practices

Using AI-driven financial services and automation tools responsibly, ensuring compliance with security and regulatory frameworks.

5. Summary and Results

– Recap of key cyber security practices for BFSI professionals.

– Review of learner progress and assessment results to measure knowledge retention.

– Reinforcing the importance of continuous cyber security awareness in financial services.