With the banking industry rapidly digitizing its operations, cyber threats have become more sophisticated, frequent and impactful. Recognizing this, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has mandated banks to adopt a robust cybersecurity framework that goes beyond basic IT controls and addresses cyber risks holistically. For banks, this isn’t just about protection—it’s about resilience, reputation and regulatory responsibility.
Our expertise helps banks implement, audit and optimize cybersecurity frameworks aligned with RBI guidelines, ensuring both technical soundness and compliance readiness.
✅ How We Can Help
As a trusted cybersecurity audit and compliance partner, we offer:
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Cybersecurity gap assessments against RBI frameworks
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Policy drafting, review and implementation assistance
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SOC and threat monitoring setup or audit
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Third-party risk assessment services
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Source code and VAPT audits aligned with banking security needs
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Training programs for board members and IT/security teams
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Incident response planning and tabletop exercises
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End-to-end audit readiness and support
🛡️ Benefits of Implementing a Cybersecurity Framework
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Improved cyber resilience against evolving threats
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Alignment with RBI mandates to avoid penalties or compliance gaps
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Protection of customer trust by safeguarding personal and financial data
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Operational continuity through robust backup, DR and response plans
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Stronger internal controls through consistent policy enforcement
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Higher audit scores and readiness for inspections or supervisory reviews
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Enhanced reputation with regulators, partners and customers
📋 Key RBI Guidelines Banks Must Comply With
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RBI Cyber Security Framework for Banks (2016)
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RBI Master Directions on IT Framework for NBFCs
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Circular on Digital Payment Security Controls (2021)
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Advisories on Ransomware, API Security and Cloud Adoption
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Guidelines for Data Localization and Storage
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Periodic Cyber Drill Participation (with IDRBT)
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CERT-IN and CSIRT Reporting Requirements
🧠 Key Components of the RBI-Mandated Cybersecurity Framework
✅ IT Governance
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Establish strong leadership and accountability through board oversight,
information security committees and defined roles for CISOs and risk teams.
✅ Risk-Based Approach
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Conduct risk assessments to identify critical assets and prioritize cybersecurity
controls based on the level of risk exposure.
✅ Cybersecurity Policy and Procedures
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Develop a bank-wide cybersecurity policy that defines controls, acceptable use,
access management, monitoring and more.
✅ Security Operations Center (SOC)
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Set up or integrate with a Security Operations Center to monitor, detect,
and respond to cyber threats in real time.
✅ Threat Intelligence and Sharing
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Stay updated with threat advisories from RBI, CERT-IN and industry peers.
Incorporate threat intelligence into monitoring and defense strategies.
✅ Network and Endpoint Security
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Implement firewalls, intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS),
anti-malware and endpoint protection systems.
✅ Cyber Incident Response Plan (CIRP)
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Establish a formal incident response process with defined roles, playbooks,
and communication protocols for cyber incidents.
✅ Secure Configuration and Patch Management
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Maintain system integrity through regular patching, vulnerability scanning,
and secure baseline configurations.
✅ User Access Control
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Ensure access to sensitive systems is granted based on roles and regularly
reviewed.Implement MFA and least privilege access.
✅ Data Protection and Encryption
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Encrypt sensitive data at rest and in transit, especially customer
records and financial transactions.
✅ Vendor Risk Management
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Assess and monitor the cybersecurity posture of outsourced service
providers, cloud vendors and fintech partners.
✅ Audit and Compliance Reviews
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Conduct regular internal and third-party audits to evaluate cybersecurity
effectiveness and compliance with RBI norms.
