Securing the future monetary system

Cybersecurity for Central Bank Digital Currencies, 8-9 November 2023

On 8-9 November 2023, the BIS Innovation Hub Nordic Centre and the BIS Cyber Resilience Coordination Centre will host the first Cybersecurity for Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) conference.

As central banks explore the possibilities of issuing CBDCs, cybersecurity is emerging as a paramount concern. The CBDC ecosystem adds new attack surfaces and risks to an already complex cybersecurity landscape for central banks. The ability to manage these risks effectively is a key factor for ensuring the robustness, resilience and adoption of CBDC systems. For the first time the BIS is hosting a conference on safeguarding CBDC and strengthening cyber defenses to provide a unique platform for central banks, the public sector, the private sector and academia to share their findings from research and real-world experience, to exchange best practices and to build a stronger community for a secure and resilient future monetary system.

Through keynote speeches, panel discussions, thematic tracks, breakout discussions, and project demonstrations, the following are among the topics that will be covered: 

  • The evolving cyber threat landscape
  • Digital transformation and automation for cybersecurity 
  • Application of existing security frameworks for CBDCs
  • Novel attack patterns for DeFi that could apply to CBDCs
  • Cyber risk management and governance for CBDCs
  • Design considerations for a secure CBDC system
  • The threat from quantum computing and roadmap for quantum safety
  • Offline payments and associated security and risk areas
  • Data privacy and compliance in CBDC systems
  • Presentations of Innovation Hub projects with a cybersecurity focus.

This is an in-person only event held at the Bank for International Settlements in Basel.

Places are limited and we invite interested parties to express their interest in attending this event by emailing NordicCentre@bisih.org. When confirmed, you will receive a registration link and further logistical details.

Attendance to the conference is free of charge, however delegates would need to cover their own travel expenses.

We look forward to welcoming you to the conference.

8 November 2023 (08:15-18:30 CET)

08:15-09:00

Registration and morning coffee

09:00-09:15

Welcome and opening remarks

09:15-10:00

Opening keynotes

  • Cyber threat landscape
  • Managing cyber risk and protecting critical assets
10:00-10:30

Roundtable Discussion
10:30-11:00

Break
11:00-11:30

Project showcase: Polaris – A framework for secure and resilient CBDC systems
11:30-12:00

Panel: CBDC information security and operational risks to central banks
12:00-13:15

Lunch
13:15-13:45

Showcase: Project Sela - An accessible and secure retail CBDC
13:45-14:15

Panel: CBDC and security - lessons from the field
14:15-14:45

Showcase: Project Tourbillon
14:45-15:15

Break
  Governance Track Technical Track
15:15-15:45

CBDC Governance considerations

 Quantum safety and readiness
15:50-16:20

CBDC Cyber Risk Management

  Offline CBDC Technical Considerations
16:25-16:55

CBDC & System Resilience

DLT and Smart Contract Security
17:00-17:30

CBDC & Cloud Risk & Security

Closing the CBDC Security Threat Modelling Gaps
17:30-18:30

Apero

9 November 2023 (08:30-16:30 CEST)

08:30-09:00

Morning coffee

09:00-09:50

Facilitated breakout sessions - Round 1 
(additional sessions may be added)

  • Topic 1 - CBDC and risk management
  • Topic 2 - CBDC and threat modelling
  • Topic 3 - Quantum safety and readiness
  • Topic 4 - CBDC and cloud risk/security
  • Topic 5 – Generative AI and security implications
  • Topic 6 – CBDC and Privacy
  • Topic 7 – Demystifying BIS IH projects
  • Topic 8 – CBDC and machine-to-machine payments
  • Topic 9 – Offline payments with CBDC
  • Topic 10 – Public-private partnership for CBDC development

10:00-10:50

Facilitated breakout sessions - Round 2
(repeat of the same breakout sessions)
10:50-11:20

Break
11:20-12:00

Breakout session recap
12:00-13:15

Lunch
13:15-14:15

Showcase: Project Leap
14:15-15:00

Panel: Cybersecurity and CBDC projects on the horizon
15:00-15:30

Break
15:30-16:15

Final keynotes:

  • Innovation in cybersecurity
  • Payments, CBDC and cybersecurity
16:15-16:30

Closing Remarks