HNB joined several internationally-renowned financial industry peers in contributing to the discourse on issues of key interest to the global banking industry at the Policy Advocacy Committee Meeting of the Asian Bankers Association (ABA).
Jonathan Alles, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, HNB, in his capacity as the current Chairman of the Asian Bankers Association, inaugurated the event.
At the same time, Dilshan Rodrigo, Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer, HNB, who also serves as the Chairman of the ABA’s Policy Advocacy Committee, served as the Session Chairman.
“Greater collaboration and knowledge sharing within the banking industry is critical in navigating the emerging risks and challenges of the new normal,” Dilshan Rodrigo, Executive Director and COO, HNB, said, commenting on HNB’s presence at the ABA Advocacy Committee Meeting. Adding further he said, “Given this pressing need, HNB takes pride in contributing to the much-needed discourse on such topics, as well as in representing South Asia’s commercial banking sector at this crucial gathering of industry leaders.”
HNB’s presentation to the distinguished forum, which included senior banking sector leaders from Asia and other regions, was delivered by Suresh Emmanuel, Chief Information Security Officer. In his presentation, Emmanuel highlighted the need for a holistic approach to cybersecurity that goes beyond mere technology and the need to employ a long-term view in evaluating the return on investment (RoI) of cybersecurity investments.
“An organization’s cybersecurity governance framework has to complement its business goals,” Emmanuel noted. “Creating awareness and initiating the cultural change required are key components of this framework. It is important to recognize that cybersecurity is more than pure technology and needs to consider people and process-related factors. In implementing changes in technology, the people factor is critical, since organizations can face resistance from within the ecosystem, as people would be used to how things have been done for many years.”
“In terms of ROI on cybersecurity investments, it is important to leverage a system to enjoy its full benefits fully. Organizations need to take a long-term view in evaluating ROI of such investments,” he added.
The other presenters at the event included the MD of Erste Group Bank AG headquartered in Austria, senior officials of Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation – a reputed Commercial Bank in the Philippines, a Member of the Board of one of Iran’s central banks – Bank Pasargad, the CEO of the global non-profit – European Financial Management Association (EFMA) and the MD of India’s financial sector advisory provider – Fintelekt Advisory Services. These presenters covered key issues of concern to the global banking industry ranging from the role of banks in supporting business survival following the pandemic to addressing heightened challenges about Anti-Money Laundering (AML)/Combating the Financing of Terrorism (CFT) in the ‘new normal.
Recently, Jonathan Alles, MD, and CEO, HNB, was a member of the ‘CEO roundtable’ panel at ABA’s 37th General Meeting and Conference. At the same time, Dilshan Rodrigo, Executive Director and COO, HNB, was the Session Chairman of the ‘regulator roundtable’.
