CBI Favors Synergy With Cyber Police

The Central Bank of Iran is eager to increase the banking system's interaction and collaboration with the Iranian Cyber Police, as this would help electronic banking, CBI's governor said.

"We are seeking to promote cooperation between the banking system and Cyber Police in order to create more synergy and better control matters pertaining to electronic banking, safety of information and operations," Valiollah Seif was also quoted as saying by Banker.ir.

The official, who was speaking during a visit to the Cyber Police headquarters, said the central bank does not view the banking system and the Cyber Police unit as "two separate organizations", adding that a healthy platform can be created with the resources of CBI to increase the validity of transactions in the banking system and prevent any potential violations.

"The central bank, Cyber Police andthe Ministry of Economic Affairs and Finance-affiliated FIU [Iran Financial Intelligence Unit] can provide suitable services to each other and create good synergy," he said.

Established in 2008, FIU is affiliated to the Iran High Council on Anti-Money Laundering and headed by the economy minister. FIU is mandated with reviewing cases of suspicious money transactions, among other things.

Referring to a bill passed by the Iranian Parliament in the last Iranian year (ended March 20, 2017), Seif decreed that 2% of all revenues generated by the banking system from servicing fees are to be allocated to Cyber Police to strengthen its infrastructure.

"Cyber Police plays an important role in ensuring the health of banking transactions, which is very valuable," he said, adding that CBI has had and will have a positive view of supporting Cyber Police through the directive.

Stressing the legality of the bill and its obligatory nature, the CBI governor said it has yet to be implemented, because of the fundamental problem of a lack of funds in the banking system.

Seif, who is also the head of the Money and Credit Council, noted that "if we design the system well", the capital approved for Cyber Police will be allocated and noted that the central bank has encouraged banks to help implement the law.

"We must move toward rationalizing this kind of investment, not weaken the system by making it free of charge and using it excessively," he said.