The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) certified the Bank of Bhutan’s (BoB) information security management system. It means the bank adopted the best global security practices.
The Lead Auditor of Bhutan Standards Bureau, Sangay Yeshi, said, “ISO 27001:2013 certification is an indication that the bank is trying to secure its clients’ information based on cyber threats.”
The certification comes at a time when digital banking in the country is gaining momentum.
Today, BoB has over 400,000 customers, and half of them use the bank’s mobile application, mBoB. Besides, the bank provides credit card and internet banking facilities, which show that more and more clients’ information are stored electronically.
BoB’s head of information security division, Bharat Gurung, said, “Gradually, they (hackers) will understand the way we do businesses online and start attacking the country’s systems. But, before they do so, we have to raise the defence in our system. We must ensure that our customers, as well as the bank, are secure.”
Despite getting the certification, Dorji Kadin, BoB’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), said that the bank would continue strengthening its information security management system.
“Millions of people may be trying to get into our system daily. So, we have to be prepared and aware of what’s happening across the world. Accordingly, we have to update our security systems.”
BoB is the second bank in the country after the Bhutan National Bank Limited (BNBL) to receive the international certification for its information security management system.
Samten Dolkar, Thimphu
Edited by Sonam Wangdi