Swiss regulator urges faster tech adoption to counter AI-driven cyber risks

Switzerland's top financial regulator urged banks and watchdogs to accelerate the adoption of new technology to patch system vulnerabilities, warning that artificial intelligence is dramatically escalating cybersecurity risks. Marlene Amstad, president of Swiss market regulator FINMA and chair of an international forum on supervisory technology, spoke following a hackathon this week that brought together around 100 policy and technology specialists to build joint tools for crypto-market supervision. "As hackers move faster, banks must adapt by patching vulnerabilities more rapidly," Amstad told Reuters in an interview. She noted that models designed to detect software vulnerabilities have exposed surging cyberattacks and national security risks, raising safety and accountability questions inside financial institutions.

Regulators push for shared AI tools

FINMA helped create a forum within the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO), a global standard setter for market regulation, to promote AI adoption among watchdogs covering roughly 95% of global financial markets. The forum's work underscores the growing demand for AI for Cybersecurity Analysts to help institutions identify and close gaps before they are exploited. Amstad chairs the forum on supervisory technology. This week's hackathon aimed at creating joint tools for crypto-market supervision, and regulators are exploring ways to embed safeguards directly into digital asset systems, Amstad added.

Model vulnerabilities trigger export controls

Experience with advanced models such as Anthropic's Mythos has exposed vulnerabilities inside financial firms, revealing AI-related operational risks, Amstad said. The U.S. government this month ordered Anthropic to suspend exports of its latest Mythos and Fable AI models, citing national security concerns. Chinese cybersecurity firm 360 Security Technology said this week it has developed a domestic answer to Mythos. "Switzerland must retain access to the most advanced AI models," Amstad said, adding that AI will be instrumental to toughen up systems before they are deployed.

Why this matters for finance professionals

The speed of cyber threats now demands a proactive approach to patching, and the integration of AI for Finance is central to both defense strategies and regulatory compliance. Amstad's stance signals that watchdogs expect institutions to not only adopt AI-driven security tools but also participate in shared technical efforts that shape how digital assets and financial systems are supervised globally.