Seminar: "Cybersecurity challenges for central banks"Rome, 16-18 May 2018

Cyber-attacks, vulnerabilities affecting the confidentiality of sensitive data and cyber-ransoms highlight how one of the most significant risks faced by corporations and public institutions today is that connected to information technology (IT). It is, therefore, key to ensure that these specific IT risks are properly managed by engaging with all possible stakeholders.

Central banks are particularly concerned about cybersecurity because of their role in preserving the stability of the entire financial system. Together with other authorities and operators, central banks are working to increase cyber-resilience at both internal and system-wide level.

The seminar discusses how the Bank of Italy is dealing with this strategic issue from a policy, operational and audit point of view, as well as from the overseer's perspective.

The Directorate General for Information Technology illustrates how the Information Security and Cyber Resilience Infrastructure management framework is being developed and implemented, while the Internal Audit Directorate describes how controls and audit practices are changing in order to strengthen the ability to address cyber risks. The Market and Payment System Oversight Directorate then provides an overview of the implementation in the Italian marketplace of the international guidelines for banks, fund-transfer providers and financial market infrastructures, whose goal is to make the global financial system safer.