SBI Launches CyRIS Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence to Strengthen Financial Sector Defences

New Cybersecurity Hub Inaugurated in Mumbai

The State Bank of India (SBI) has inaugurated a Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence named CyRIS. The facility aims to bolster cyber defence mechanisms and threat intelligence capabilities within the financial sector. Department of Financial Services Secretary Sanjay Lohiya inaugurated the centre alongside SBI Chairman CS Setty and other senior officials.

According to the announcement, CyRIS brings together cyber policy, training, research, innovation, threat intelligence, and defence operations under a unified framework.

Core Pillars and Focus Areas

The initiative is structured around three primary pillars:

• THINK: Concentrates on policy formulation, talent development, and public awareness campaigns.
• INNOVATE: Focuses on research initiatives, development of new solutions, and cybersecurity benchmarking.
• DEFEND: Prioritizes threat detection, incident response readiness, and overall preparedness.

The centre's designated focus areas encompass several technical domains:

• Digital forensics and malware analysis
• Ethical hacking and fraud analytics
• Artificial intelligence (AI) security
• Quantum-safe technologies

Additionally, the facility is intended to encourage collaboration between government bodies, regulatory authorities, commercial banks, fintech companies, academic institutions, and technology partners.

Leadership Statements on Digital Resilience

SBI Chairman CS Setty stated that maintaining robust cybersecurity is fundamental to preserving customer trust and supporting the broader digital financial ecosystem. He noted that the new centre is designed to improve the institution's capability to anticipate emerging threats.

Sanjay Lohiya emphasized that cyber resilience must advance in parallel with the rapid digitisation of financial services, describing the launch as a timely step toward enhancing ecosystem-wide preparedness.

Existing Security Measures and Training

Alongside the launch of CyRIS, SBI highlighted its ongoing security framework, which includes:

• Layered security controls and regular security audits
• Vulnerability assessments and incident-response mechanisms
• Scheduled cyber drills and continuous employee training

The bank reported that nearly 1.81 lakh employees completed mandatory cybersecurity e-learning courses during the financial year 2026. Furthermore, the institution conducts public awareness programs concerning digital safety and fraud prevention.

How to Verify

Readers can verify official announcements and updates regarding this initiative by checking press releases directly on the official State Bank of India corporate website or through statements published by the Department of Financial Services.