Cyber and Data Security
Cybersecurity and data protection are fundamental to preserving trust and resilience in the U.S. banking system. Safeguarding the sensitive financial information customers entrust to their community banks is a top priority.
As digital banking channels expand and threats become more sophisticated, protecting data, systems, and infrastructure continues to be a core business imperative.
Effective cyber and data security strategies help community banks strengthen resilience, manage risk, maintain compliance, and confidently serve their customers and maintain their confidence.
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ICBA Expert Contact
ICBA Community Group: IT
Engage with the ICBA Community peer group specific to community bank security.
Overview: Why It Matters and What's Happening Now
The cyber threat landscape continues to evolve rapidly, with community banks facing growing risks from ransomware, data breaches, fraud schemes, and AI-enabled cyberattacks.
Cyber incidents in both the private and public sectors can expose personally identifiable information (PII), undermine consumer confidence, and create significant operational and reputational challenges for financial institutions.
Cybersecurity Awareness Month
New technologies, including artificial intelligence, are creating both opportunities and risk considerations, making proactive cybersecurity governance, risk mitigation, employee training, and incident response planning more critical than ever.
Community banks are facing growing cybersecurity and data protection requirements. Regulators are paying close attention to how institutions identify and manage cyber risks, share threat intelligence, and handle security incidents.
Simultaneously, the banking industry is advocating for flexible, risk-based approaches that recognize the unique size and operating environments of community banks.
FS-ISAC Risk Summary Reports
Mark Your Calendar: Fraud & Cybersecurity Awareness Dates
Safer Internet Day
Tuesday, February 10, 2026
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
Monday, June 15, 2026
Cybersecurity Awareness Month
October 2026
ICBA Resources Available for Community Banks
Treasury and ICBA Cyber Tabletop Exercise Webinar
In partnership with the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of Cybersecurity and Critical Infrastructure Protection (OCCIP), ICBA will co-host tabletop exercises designed to help community banks strengthen cyber and operational resilience.
Through realistic scenarios—ransomware, a third-party incident, and an AI-enhanced cyberattack—participants will stress-test decision-making, incident coordination, and communications, and leave with practical takeaways to enhance preparedness and response. Community bank technical staff, as well as senior leadership, should participate as a team.
Other Cybersecurity Exercises and Training
Peer-to-peer insights
Tap into the collective expertise of community bankers nationwide by joining ICBA's online community for discussions on cyber risk, fraud prevention, data security, and emerging technologies.
Cyber and Data Security Policy Position
Community banks are navigating an increasingly complex cybersecurity landscape, shaped by evolving regulatory expectations, emerging threats, and industry best practices.
AI Policy Position
Artificial intelligence is transforming community banking and creating new opportunities to better serve customers while introducing new risks that must be managed.
Cyber Security and Breaches Policy Position
Data breaches in the private and public sectors jeopardize consumer financial data and increase the chances of financial fraud of all types.
Cyber and Data Security evolves quickly. Our educational opportunities help you keep up.
Build your team's cybersecurity knowledge and preparedness with ICBA Education's expert-led training, on-demand courses, webinars, and certificate programs focused on today's most pressing cyber and data security challenges.
Key Certification: Certified Community Bank Technology Officer (CCBTO)
ICBA CRA Solutions Cyber-Savvy Seniors resources
Help protect older adults from scams and fraud with ICBA's Cyber-Savvy Seniors resources, featuring ready-to-use educational materials your bank can share to strengthen cybersecurity awareness in your community.
The following links will lead you to cybersecurity assessment tools to help you better understand where your bank stands.
Share these cybersecurity resources with your customers to help them protect their businesses and data.
- CFPB - Fraud Prevention Resources
- CISA - Cyber Awareness Tips
- CISA - Cyber Essentials Toolkit
- DOJ - Money Mule Initiative
- FBI - Common Scams and Crimes
- FBI - Elder Abuse Brochure
- FTC - Identity Theft Resources
- NCSA - Cyber Resources
- NSCA - Privacy Tips
- NIST - Small Business Cybersecurity Corner
- SSA - Scam Awareness Materials for Groups and Organizations
- USA.gov - Scams and Frauds
The risk of breaches, ransomware and other cyber threats and events continue to grow, but through preparation and training your bank can mitigate the disruption and minimize the impact. Properly managed communications, during an incident, play a key role in minimizing damage to reputation and operations.
Effective incident response involves the processes of preparation, detection, analysis, containment, eradication, recovery, and post-incident activities. Planned and managed communications are integral to each of those phases.
Ransomware and Breach Customer Communications
Cyber incident response communication plans allow for the rapid notification of internal and external stakeholders, coordination of the response message, and the minimization and mitigation of reputational and operational risk.
Identity Theft Resources for Consumers
How ICBA Supports Community Banks
ICBA serves as a trusted advocate, educator, and resource for community banks navigating today's cyber and data security challenges. Through advocacy efforts, ICBA promotes risk-based cybersecurity policies, supports stronger protections for consumer financial data, encourages bi-directional threat intelligence sharing between government and the financial sector, and works to ensure regulatory requirements remain practical and proportionate for community banks.
Beyond advocacy, ICBA provides community banks with practical resources to strengthen cybersecurity and operational resilience. Through training, guidance, assessments, and planning tools, ICBA helps banks prepare for cyber threats, respond effectively to incidents, and adopt industry best practices. These efforts keep community banks informed about emerging risks, regulatory changes, and technology trends that affect the industry.
