Cambodia & Cybersecurity Day 2025: Banking Sector Unites to "Prevent and Protect"

In response to the escalating threats of cybercrime in the financial sector, the Association of Banks in Cambodia (ABC) organized “Cybersecurity Day 2025” under the theme "Prevent and Protect" at Sokha Phnom Penh Hotel.

This full-day event brought together over 150 participants attending in person and another 100 attending virtually, including government officials, bankers, heads of IT, cybersecurity, risk management, and compliance from member banks, along with representatives from key strategic partners, government agencies, and private sector leaders. The initiative aimed to raise awareness, strengthen inter-agency collaboration, and promote best practices in cybersecurity.

“Cybersecurity is no longer a back-office function; it is now a boardroom priority. It is not simply the responsibility of IT departments—each one of us in the financial sector has a role to play. Every click, every transaction, and every data exchange matters. The threats are real, constantly evolving, and unyielding,” said Mr. Rath Sophoan, Chairman of the Association of Banks in Cambodia during the welcome remarks.

He continued, “with cyber threats like phishing, ransomware, and fraud becoming more sophisticated, this event is crucial to safeguard our financial infrastructure and build customer trust.”

Cambodia, like many nations, is not immune to these challenges. In recent years, there has been a notable increase in sophisticated online scams and phishing attacks—often perpetrated through email, SMS, and messaging applications—designed to extract sensitive information. Alarmingly, some criminal actors have employed fake base transceiver stations (BTS) to disseminate malicious messages containing links that redirect users to fraudulent websites or install harmful software. These incidents underscore the urgent need for comprehensive cybersecurity awareness and robust protective measures.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Long Vibunrith Deputy Director General of Central Banking Operation, National Bank of Cambodia, appreciated the Association of Banks in Cambodia for organizing this important event, which serves as a vital platform for fostering collaboration between financial institutions and regulatory authorities to prevent cybercrime, enhance consumer protection, strengthen public trust, and raise awareness of cybersecurity within the banking sector.

"At the National Bank of Cambodia, our core mandate remains the preservation of price and financial stability. A resilient financial system must be inclusive, diversified, and secure. We recognize the pivotal role of cybersecurity in maintaining confidence in digital financial services," said Mr. Long Vibunrith.

He added that NBC also calls upon all stakeholders—regulators, financial institutions, technology providers, and consumers—to advance cybersecurity awareness, invest in innovation, and work collectively to safeguard Cambodia’s digital future.

“Mastercard works closely with public and industry partners to share threat intelligence, deploy advanced cybersecurity solutions, and support policy development that enhances national cyber resilience. In Cambodia, the collaboration with regulators and financial institutions is key to strengthening cybersecurity measures, from securing digital identities to building resilient payment infrastructures. Cybersecurity is a strategic priority that requires strong public-private collaboration to stay ahead of and address evolving threats,” said Ms. Winnie Wong, Country Manager, Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, Mastercard.

The day featured three high-level panel discussions focusing on cybersecurity policy development, fraud prevention, and secure digital banking. Key institutions such as the National Bank of Cambodia, the Ministry of Interior’s Anti-Cyber Crime Department, Mastercard, and the Cambodia Financial Intelligence Unit (CAFIU) have shared insights and strategies to combat evolving threats.

Breakout sessions in the afternoon delved deeper into innovative technologies, legal frameworks, and defense mechanisms against cyberattacks. Cybersecurity Day 2025 not only fosters dialogue among stakeholders but also aims to enhance digital literacy among banking professionals and promote a culture of proactive cyber defense. This milestone event reflects Cambodia’s commitment to securing its digital economy and protecting consumers in an increasingly connected financial world.

The Association of Banks in Cambodia extends our deepest gratitude to our Strategic Partners, Mastercard and Smart, for their unwavering support in making Cybersecurity Day 2025 a resounding success. Special thanks go to our Diamond Sponsors — ACLEDA Bank, Chip Mong Bank, and Visa — and our Gold Sponsor, ABA Bank, for their generous contributions. We also sincerely appreciate our Silver Sponsors: KB Prasac Bank, Canadia Bank, Sathapana Bank, and the Institute of Banking and Finance, whose support helped bring this important initiative to life.