Fortifying the digital future: Inside HDB Financial Services’ cybersecurity transformation

In an era marked by relentless cyber threats and rapid digital adoption, HDB Financial Services (HDBFS) has emerged as a frontrunner in building a secure, resilient, and innovation-ready IT backbone. At the heart of this transformation is Harish Venugopal, Chief Risk Officer, whose multi-layered cybersecurity strategy is not just about protection—it’s about enabling sustainable innovation in the digital-first era of BFSI.

Resilience by design: Adapting to an evolving threat landscape

“The threat landscape has become increasingly complex, especially for financial institutions like ours,” says Venugopal. In response, HDBFS has architected a robust, layered cybersecurity ecosystem rooted in its Cyber Resilience Framework. A next-generation Security Operations Centre (SOC), equipped with advanced correlation engines, provides real-time monitoring and fast incident response.

The organisation has adopted a Zero Trust model—verifying every user and device before granting access—and routinely subjects its controls to third-party validations. With regular ...