Cybersecurity threats targeting global financial systems have grown to unprecedented levels over the last half-decade, and Haiti’s national financial infrastructure has not escaped this growing risk, according to the top official at the Bank of the Republic of Haiti (BRH).
In a public notice issued October 21, 2026, BRH Governor Donald Gabriel warned that local financial institutions have increasingly become primary targets for malicious cyber actors, amid a regional and global surge in large-scale attacks on banking and financial ecosystems. Despite the rising threat, Gabriel emphasized that Haiti’s financial sector already operates under structured regulatory frameworks that require the deployment of robust, secure information systems designed to mitigate the potential damage of cyber incidents.
Since 2023, the BRH has prioritized upgrading the nation’s financial cyber defenses through a multi-pronged strategy focused on capacity building, proactive training, and widespread awareness campaigns for sector stakeholders. The central bank’s approach combines investment in advanced defensive technologies with training to encourage responsible risk mitigation practices among financial sector leaders, with the ultimate goal of strengthening the resilience of core operational systems against evolving cyber threats.
As part of its regulatory oversight mandate, the BRH also enforces requirements for all licensed financial institutions to implement comprehensive safeguards for customer personal and financial data. A key new policy clarification issued in the notice bans all domestic financial bodies from engaging in ransom negotiations with cybercriminals, even in the aftermath of a successful breach that locks organizations out of critical systems.
Instead, the central bank mandates that any institution targeted by a cyberattack must immediately activate pre-approved contingency and business continuity plans to maintain essential services. At the same time, institutions are required to conduct detailed forensic analysis of digital traces left by attackers to identify vulnerabilities and strengthen system defenses against future incidents. The notice reaffirms the BRH’s commitment to protecting the stability of Haiti’s financial system and safeguarding customer assets amid growing global cyber risks.