Staff Reports
When It Rains, It Pours: Cyber Risk and Financial Conditions
Number 1022
June 2022

JEL classification: G12, G21, G28

Authors: Thomas M. Eisenbach, Anna Kovner, and Michael Junho Lee

We analyze how systemic cyber risk in the wholesale payments network relates to adverse financial conditions. We show that at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, payment activity increased, became more concentrated, and showed intraday liquidity stress. Cyber vulnerability was elevated in late February and early March 2020, with the potential impact of a cyberattack about 40 percent greater than in the remainder of 2020. Policy interventions to stabilize markets mitigated cyber vulnerability, particularly corresponding to large increases in aggregate reserves. We observe that cyber vulnerability and other financial shocks cannot be treated as uncorrelated risks and policy solutions for cyber security need to be calibrated for adverse financial conditions.

Available only in PDF
AUTHOR DISCLOSURE STATEMENT(S)
Thomas M. Eisenbach
The author declares that he has no relevant or material financial interests that relate to the research described in this paper.

Anna Kovner
The author declares that she has no relevant or material financial interests that relate to the research described in this paper.

Michael Junho Lee
The author declares that he has no relevant or material financial interests that relate to the research described in this paper.
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Statement. You can learn more about how we use cookies by reviewing our Privacy Statement.   Close