Vice Chairman Speaks on Importance of Financial Information SecurityNov 07, 2019


Vice Chairman Sohn Byungdoo attended the Financial InformationSecurity Conference 2019 hosted by the Financial Security Institute on November7, and delivered congratulatory remarks on the theme of financial information securityand maintaining innovation in the financial sector.

 

The following is a summary of Vice Chairman Sohn’s remarks:

 

The advancement of digital technologies has made hyperconnectivitypossible where individuals are able to get connected with devices in multipleways. In personal finance, too, opening a bank account to wire transferring moneyand managing assets can all be done in the palm of your hands using a mobiledevice. The blurring of boundaries between different industries has broughtsignificant changes.

 

Amid these changes, the government has been promoting digital innovationin the financial services industry. First, the implementation of financial regulatorysandbox has encouraged fintech firms and financial institutions to testinnovative ideas. Second, the government introduced open banking system, andhas been working on revising the relevant laws, such as the Credit InformationAct, to provide greater access to financial services.

 

The accelerating convergence between financial services andinformation technologies has expanded the type and scope of potential cyberthreats. Due to an increased dependence on non-financial sectors, such as ICT,the financial services sectors are exposed to greater risks from non-financialsectors. Digital transformation has led to increased interconnectedness betweenfinance and telecommunications, which makes financial information security a highpriority.

 

In order to continue digital innovation in the financial sectors,a proper mix of stability, harmony and innovation is required. Financialinformation security should be considered as investment toward innovation, insteadof cost and regulation. Financial institutions and fintech firms should be ableto take primary responsibility in protecting information and guaranteeingsecurity. Amid digital transformation, financial information security is anecessary condition for ensuring stability in our financial system.