CYBERSECURITY AND DATA INTEGRITY IN FINANCIAL SYSTEMS: A REVIEW OF RISK MITIGATION AND COMPLIANCE MODELS

Abstract

Cybersecurity and data integrity have become central to financial stability as institutions increasingly depend on digital infrastructures. Cyber incidents such as data breaches, payment disruptions, and manipulation of trading systems generate not only direct financial losses but also systemic contagion, reputational harm, and loss of consumer trust. This review evaluates organizational, governance, and compliance models designed to mitigate such risks, highlighting cybersecurity as a structural determinant of resilience in modern financial systems. The study adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A comprehensive database search initially identified 1,486 records, of which 127 met inclusion criteria after screening and quality assessment. These studies covered domains including enterprise risk management (ERM), board-level accountability, incident response strategies, regulatory frameworks, and cyber insurance. Together, they accounted for more than 24,000 citations, reflecting the scholarly and policy relevance of this research area. Findings revealed five key themes. First, cyber incidents consistently disrupt liquidity and settlements, triggering systemic ripple effects. Second, case studies such as the Bangladesh Bank SWIFT attack and the Capital One breach illustrate vulnerabilities in governance and third-party reliance. Third, breaches of data integrity significantly damage consumer trust and institutional reputation, often persisting beyond financial recovery. Finally, regulatory and compliance models, including GDPR, Dodd-Frank, and TIBER-EU, enhanced transparency, accountability, and systemic learning when embedded into organizational culture. In conclusion, cybersecurity and data integrity represent systemic imperatives. Integrated approaches combining governance, compliance, resilience planning, and risk transfer are vital to securing financial stability in the digital era.