The UK and US’ biggest banks will simulate a cyber-attack as officials investigate the sector’s strength in resisting threats of computer hackers targeting the financial industry.
Operation Resilient Shield, as the operation has been named, is intended to be the most sophisticated test of network infrastructure and communications yet. Previous tests have tested banking personnel and institutions in the UK alone – the new dimension is adding US institutions to the trial, to assess how well communications across the Atlantic would be maintained and co-ordinated in response to a cyber-attack.
CERT, the Computer Emergency Response Team, will be in charge of the operation in both countries, as the UK and US work on closer cyber co-operation after an announcement made by leaders in January.