The fast transformation of the banking and financial sector is creating a completely new cybersecurity threat landscape, according to a recent report. It highlights that traditional security systems are no longer enough for today’s highly connected financial world.
The Digital Threat Report 2025–26, released on Monday, explains that older cybersecurity models were built for centralized systems with clearly defined trust boundaries.
However, today’s financial ecosystem is very different. It is based on interconnected platforms, embedded finance, AI-driven decisions, and real-time payments, which significantly increase the risk of cyberattacks. The report was published by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), CERT-In, CSIRT-Fin, and SISA.
According to the report, cyberattacks are evolving. Instead of direct system breaches, attackers are now targeting the “trust chain” — including biometric onboarding, partner apps, AI systems, APIs, real-time payments, and third-party networks. They exploit gaps between different systems where no single entity has full control or visibility.
As a result, cyber threats are becoming more complex. A security breach is no longer limited to just stolen passwords or transactions, but can affect identity systems, AI models, APIs, payment processes, and entire supply chains.
business-standard