2017 Cybersecurity Conference attendees share a laugh during a presentation.

Leaders gather for the Boston Fed's 2017 Cybersecurity Conference

Leaders from New England financial institutions came together for the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston’s Cybersecurity Conference on May 1.The conference is part of the Boston Fed’s cybersecurity efforts aimed at mitigating risk to the financial system. Peter Davis/Federal Reserve Bank of Boston

First Vice President Ken Montgomery delivers opening remarks at the 2017 Cybersecurity Conference.

An opportunity for dialogue and collaboration

Boston Fed First Vice President and COO Officer Ken Montgomery offers welcoming remarks at the conference, now in its second year. In his remarks, Mr. Montgomery noted the continued rise in high-profile, high-intensity cyber-attacks. Peter Davis/Federal Reserve Bank of Boston

Senior Vice President and Payment Security Strategy Leader for the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, Todd Aadland presents on the work of the Faster and Secure Payments Task Forces.

Task force update

The Federal Reserve's Secure Payments Task Force is playing a key role to identify and address potential implications of faster payments. The Chicago Fed’s Todd Aadland guides a discussion on current task force work efforts and next steps. Peter Davis/Federal Reserve Bank of Boston

Information Security Officer Michael Rodehorst delivers remarks on the benefits of threat sharing.

Cyber-threat Sharing Forum brings institutions together

The Boston Fed’s Cyber-threat Sharing Forum was established in 2014 to help small to mid-sized financial institutions in New England, help each other. Information Security Officer Michael Rodehorst discusses the beginnings of the forum at the conference. Peter Davis/Federal Reserve Bank of Boston

Lead Security Systems Engineer Jasvinder Khera delivers remarks on the benefits of threat sharing.

Expanding outreach throughout New England

Lead Security Systems Engineer Jasvinder Khera details the Cyber-threat Sharing Forum’s biweekly convenings. Later in 2017, the group will expand its regional outreach through satellite locations and streaming across New England. Peter Davis/Federal Reserve Bank of Boston

A human intelligence model for cyberspace defense

Former intelligence officer Daniel Hoffman discusses the need to build a dynamic arsenal to protect against vulnerabilities and malicious risk. Mr. Hoffman offered insight into how a human intelligence model can protect data, reputation, and wealth. Peter Davis/Federal Reserve Bank of Boston

Boston Police Detective Steven Blair glances at an onscreen slide during his presentation on business email scams.

Impact on a local level

Boston Police Detective Steven Blair speaks to efforts of local law enforcement in handling cases specific to the banking industry. Re-encoded credit cards and business emails scams are two areas greatly affecting New England’s small business community. Peter Davis/Federal Reserve Bank of Boston

A woman in the audience of the 2017 Cybersecurity Conference sits in rapt attention.

Collaboration is fundamental

More than 100 leaders from New England financial institutions came together to connect and learn about cyber challenges facing the banking industry. Among the topics covered during the conference were the benefits of threat-sharing and leveraging peer networks. Peter Davis/Federal Reserve Bank of Boston

John Ayoh of the Nigerian Central Bank with an onscreen slide showing malware encounter and infection rates in Nigeria are significantly higher than the worldwide rate.

International perspective

John Ayoh of the Central Bank of Nigeria discussed the unique demographic challenges that place cybersecurity on the national agenda in Nigeria. The country has witnessed a marked shift towards electronic channels for financial services. Peter Davis/Federal Reserve Bank of Boston

The panelist group for Supervising Cybersecurity: Regulator Perspective including: Holly Chase of the Massachusetts Division of Banks, Peter Chiola of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, Michael Flynn of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and Roger Pittman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta

Regulator perspectives

Representatives from multiple regulatory agencies took part in a panel discussion on cyber regulation. Agencies have provided information and guidance to increase awareness of cybersecurity issues in the evolving world of information technology and cybersecurity examinations. Peter Davis/Federal Reserve Bank of Boston