SBI Launches CyRIS: New Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence to Strengthen Cyber Safety

State Bank of India has inaugurated CyRIS, a Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence. It brings cyber policy, training, research, threat intelligence, and cyber defence together on one platform.

What Is the SBI CyRIS Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence Initiative?

Who inaugurated it?

Sanjay Lohiya, Secretary, Department of Financial Services, inaugurated the Centre. SBI Chairman Challa Sreenivasulu Setty and senior government and bank officials were present.

What is its main aim?

CyRIS aims to make SBI’s cyber safety “anticipatory” and intelligence-led. This means the bank tries to spot new threats early, respond faster and stay ahead of changing cyber risks. It also supports a safer digital financial system.

CyRIS Built Around Three Complementary Pillars

1. THINK (Shape the Cyber Future): Covers cyber policy, a cyber academy and citizen-focused initiatives to build policy, talent and awareness.
2. INNOVATE (Create What’s Next): Covers innovation, research and benchmarking, so new solutions can be built and cyber maturity can be compared with global practices.
3. DEFEND (Protect What Matters): Covers cyber defence, threat intelligence and resilience, so threats are found early and the bank is better prepared.

Which areas will the CyRIS focus on?

It will work on threat intelligence, cyber defence, digital forensics, malware analysis, ethical hacking, fraud analytics, AI security and quantum-safe technologies. It will also work with government and regulators, banks, fintechs, universities and technology partners, since cyber threats cross organisational boundaries.

Importance of the CyRIS Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence

As India’s finance goes digital, cyber safety must grow along with it. Lohiya called CyRIS a timely step to build capability, cooperation and preparedness. SBI says cybersecurity is the base of customer trust.

SBI uses multi-layered security controls, regular audits, vulnerability checks and incident-response systems. It also runs cyber drills and staff training. In FY 2025-26, nearly 1.81 lakh employees completed mandatory cybersecurity e-learning, and the bank ran customer awareness drives on digital safety and fraud prevention.