Introduction

Central banks occupy a unique and critical position at the heart of the national and international financial systems, making them prime targets for sophisticated and relentless cyber threats. Protecting national financial infrastructure, ensuring the integrity of monetary policy, and safeguarding vast amounts of sensitive financial data are not just IT concerns—they are matters of national economic security. The multifaceted nature of these challenges requires a holistic approach that integrates robust cybersecurity defense with proactive enterprise-wide supervision and stringent, enforceable compliance management.

This program provides a comprehensive and practical deep dive into the unique cybersecurity landscape of central banking. Participants will gain a fundamental understanding of how to build and maintain a resilient enterprise security framework, supervise the cyber posture of financial market participants, and implement effective compliance protocols to meet national and international standards. The course covers everything from threat modeling for critical financial infrastructure to the security implications of central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) and the role of the central bank as a supervisory authority for the broader financial sector. By focusing on real-world case studies and hands-on exercises, attendees will be equipped to protect their institutions from evolving threats and ensure the stability of the financial system.

Duration:

10 days

Target Audience:

• Central Bank IT and Cybersecurity Professionals
• Financial Sector Supervisors and Regulators
• Compliance and Governance Officers
• Risk Management and Audit Teams
• Financial Market Infrastructure (FMI) Professionals
• Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) Project Teams
• Legal and Regulatory Affairs Staff
• National Treasury and Ministry of Finance Officials
• Senior Management in Central Banks
• Professionals in Banking and Financial Services

Objectives:

• Master the core principles of cybersecurity for central banks.
• Learn to identify and mitigate cyber threats to critical financial infrastructure.
• Understand the methodologies for effective enterprise security supervision.
• Grasp the complexities of compliance with global and national standards.
• Develop proficiency in building a robust cyber resilience framework.
• Explore best practices in incident response and crisis management.
• Learn about robust approaches to securing Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs).
• Identify the critical legal, governance, and policy frameworks.
• Develop skills in conducting risk assessments and vulnerability management.
• Formulate strategies for building a culture of security and compliance.

Course Modules:

Module 1: The Central Bank Cyber Threat Landscape

• The unique threats faced by central banks (e.g., state-sponsored attacks)
• The impact of a successful cyber attack on financial stability
• Key attack vectors: ransomware, phishing, and supply chain attacks
• The role of a "clear and focused research question"
• The growing threat to financial market infrastructures (FMIs)

Module 2: Cybersecurity Governance and Strategy

• The role of the Board and senior management in cybersecurity oversight
• The three lines of defense model

• Developing a risk-based cybersecurity framework (e.g., NIST, ISO 27001)
• The importance of a "risk and mitigation" plan
• The role of a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)

Module 3: Enterprise Security Supervision

• The central bank's role in supervising the financial sector's cyber resilience
• Conducting IT and cybersecurity audits of supervised entities
• The importance of a simple scorecard and a dashboard
• Assessing the effectiveness of risk management practices
• Enforcing regulatory compliance and standards

Module 4: Financial Market Infrastructure (FMI) Security

• The critical role of payment systems, clearing houses, and securities depositories
• The cybersecurity risks to FMIs
• The importance of a "data story map"
• Implementing the Principles for Financial Market Infrastructures (PFMI)
• The role of a clear and consistent reporting style

Module 5: Compliance Management & Audits

• The importance of a program's theory of change
• Navigating global standards (e.g., GDPR, SWIFT)
• Internal and external audit processes
• The role of a "stakeholder analysis"
• The use of compliance management software

Module 6: Threat Intelligence & Incident Response

• Establishing a threat intelligence capability
• The importance of a clear and compelling KPI
• Developing a robust cyber incident response plan
• The role of a "risk and mitigation" plan
• Conducting tabletop exercises and simulations

Module 7: Securing Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs)

• The cybersecurity risks unique to CBDCs (e.g., counterfeiting, data theft)
• The use of a simple scorecard and a dashboard
• The security architecture of a CBDC system
• Cryptography and private key management
• The importance of a "data story map"

Module 8: Physical and Personnel Security

• The convergence of physical and digital security
• The insider threat and its management
• The importance of a "clear and consistent reporting style"
• Background checks and security clearances
• The role of a "program's theory of change"

Module 9: Network & Infrastructure Security

• Network segmentation and zero-trust architecture
• The importance of a "stakeholder analysis"
• Vulnerability management and patch management
• The use of intrusion detection and prevention systems
• The role of a clear and compelling KPI

Module 10: Supply Chain & Third-Party Risk Management

• The growing reliance on third-party service providers (e.g., cloud)
• Conducting due diligence on vendors
• The importance of a "risk and mitigation" plan
• The role of a simple scorecard and a dashboard
• Contractual risk allocation and oversight

Module 11: Data Privacy & Protection

• The role of a "data story map"
• Data classification and access controls
• The use of data encryption and anonymization
• The importance of a "clear and consistent reporting style"
• The privacy implications of CBDCs

Module 12: Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery

• The link between cybersecurity and operational resilience
• Developing a business continuity plan
• The importance of a "program's theory of change"
• Testing and validating recovery objectives
• The role of a "stakeholder analysis"

Module 13: Legal and Policy Frameworks

• National cybersecurity laws and regulations
• The importance of a clear and compelling KPI
• The role of a central bank in a national cybersecurity strategy
• International cooperation and information sharing
• The role of a "clear and focused research question"

Module 14: Emerging Technologies

• The security implications of AI and machine learning
• The importance of a "risk and mitigation" plan
• The use of quantum computing and post-quantum cryptography

• The role of a simple scorecard and a dashboard
• The future of financial cybersecurity

Module 15: Cyber Insurance

• The role of cyber insurance in risk management
• The importance of a "data story map"
• The types of cyber insurance policies
• The process of filing a claim
• The limitations of insurance coverage

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org Tel: +254 702 249 449

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org Tel: +254 702 249 449

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 7 working days before commencement of the training.