SWIFT CSCF Compliance
Secure Access for Financial Networks
What is SWIFT CSCF?
The SWIFT Customer Security Controls Framework (CSCF) defines mandatory and advisory security controls for financial institutions connected to the SWIFT network.
It focuses on securing local environments, managing identities and access, and detecting fraud to protect the global financial ecosystem from cyberattacks.
Key SWIFT CSCF requirements:
- Secure Authentication: Require multi-factor authentication for SWIFT-related systems.
- Access Control: Restrict and segregate roles for SWIFT operators and administrators.
- Audit and Traceability: Log all access and transactions on SWIFT-connected systems.
- Monitoring and Detection: Identify suspicious activities in real time.
- Least Privilege: Apply role-based restrictions to reduce insider risks.
How Visual Guard facilitates SWIFT CSCF compliance:
Strong authentication:
Enforce multi-factor authentication for SWIFT operators and administrators.
RBAC policies:
Define strict access separation and role-based access policies for SWIFT-related operations.
Audit logging:
Track all actions performed in SWIFT-connected systems for investigation and compliance purposes.
Real-time alerts:
Detect abnormal activity or unauthorized access attempts in real time.
Compliance reporting:
Provide auditors with compliance evidence and reports aligned with CSCF requirements.
Detailed technical capabilities
Authentication Security
- MFA using OTP, smart cards, or biometrics
Access Control Management
- RBAC with context-aware access policies
- Automated periodic access reviews
Audit & Monitoring
- Immutable audit logs covering all SWIFT system activities
- Real-time anomaly alerts integrated with SIEM platforms
Identity Federation
- Single sign-on and identity federation with secure directories
Use case
Protecting SWIFT operations in a financial institution
A bank must comply with SWIFT CSCF controls to ensure the integrity and security of international financial transactions.
How Visual Guard helped:
- Required MFA for all SWIFT operators and administrators.
- Enforced RBAC to segregate roles and reduce fraud risks.
- Provided immutable logs and compliance-ready reports for auditors.
- Detected suspicious behavior through real-time monitoring.
Result: The bank secured SWIFT-related operations, reduced fraud risks, and complied with SWIFT CSCF requirements.