Bank Jakarta Director, Strengthening Cybersecurity Becomes a Key Focus

JAKARTA – Strengthening cybersecurity will be one of the key priorities in the banking industry's digital transformation strategy. This initiative is considered essential to ensure that operational systems, identity management, and digital infrastructure remain relevant and resilient against the growing threat of cyberattacks.

Bank Director Agus Haryoto Widodo said that the ongoing transformation is aimed not only at driving regional growth but also at strengthening various supporting aspects, including data transportation systems, identity management, and protection against cybersecurity risks.

"Going forward, strengthening cybersecurity and other aspects of digital security will be among the next strategic initiatives we undertake," he said following the discussion titled "Shaping the Next Era of Indonesia's Capital Market" at Investor Day 2026, held at the Indonesia Stock Exchange Building in Jakarta on Tuesday (June 30, 2026).

According to Agus, the company's transformation extends beyond business development alone. The company is also establishing new divisions and functions dedicated specifically to digital security as part of its strategy to address the challenges of an increasingly digitalized banking industry.

He explained that this move is a response to the various challenges arising from the rapid advancement of information technology. By creating more specialized functions, the company expects to enhance risk mitigation while strengthening its overall system security governance.

"So, it is not merely about business development, but also about ensuring that we have dedicated functions capable of anticipating various challenges, particularly those related to cybersecurity," Agus said.

Optimizing cybersecurity has become one of the banking industry's key priorities as financial services continue to undergo rapid digitalization.

In addition to ensuring smooth operations, investment in security systems is essential to protect customer data and maintain public trust in digital banking services.

Previously, Indonesia's financial industry was assessed as still having strong fundamentals despite various global economic challenges.

However, shifts in the business landscape and market behavior have made it necessary for industry players to transform in order to remain relevant and achieve sustainable growth.

Bank Jakarta President Director Agus H. Widodo stated that, fundamentally, Indonesia's banking sector remains in good condition.

This is reflected in continued positive credit growth, strong capital adequacy, sound liquidity, and a relatively low non-performing loan (NPL) ratio.

"The real issue is not the fundamentals—the playing field has changed," Agus said during the discussion "Shaping the Next Era of Indonesia's Capital Market" at Investor Day 2026, held at the Indonesia Stock Exchange Building in Jakarta on Tuesday (June 30, 2026).

Over the past several years, he continued, the banking industry has faced increasingly unpredictable dynamics, ranging from the COVID-19 pandemic and global geopolitical conflicts to changes in international trade policies.

These conditions have made it impossible for banks to continue operating under a business-as-usual approach. Agus also noted that the banking industry has been experiencing pressure on its cost of funds.

According to him, deposit interest rates in interbank funding auctions had reached as high as 11.5 percent, signaling rising funding costs across the banking industry.

In response to these changes, Bank Jakarta has been implementing transformation initiatives across various aspects of its business. These efforts include strengthening its business model, accelerating service digitalization, enhancing risk management, and fostering a stronger corporate culture.

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