Cybersecurity in Municipal Bond Issuance: Protecting Transactions, Funds, and Public Trust

Cybersecurity in Municipal Bond Issuance: Protecting Transactions, Funds, and Public Trust

Conference Registration

Session Details

Date: Monday, June 29

Time: 8:55 am - 10:10 am CT

1.5 CPE credits

Level: advanced

Field of Study: Information Technology

Cybersecurity has become one of the most urgent emerging risks for governments, including in the municipal bond market. All governments—especially small and medium sized issuers with limited IT capacity—are increasingly targeted by sophisticated cybercriminals who understand the mechanics of public finance transactions.

Recent events have demonstrated that attacks are no longer hypothetical disruptions but real threats with the potential to derail financings, jeopardize bond proceeds, expose issuers to litigation, and damage public trust. Speakers in this session will provide practical strategies to help finance officers plan for and mitigate risks related to bond transactions.

Learning Objectives

  • Identify common cyberattack methods that target municipal bond transactions, including email compromise, impersonation, and fraudulent wiring instructions
  • Apply practical cybersecurity safeguards during a debt issuance, including multi‑step verification for wiring instructions, secure communication channels with underwriters and trustees, and internal protocols to detect attacks
  • Implement governance and oversight practices that reduce vulnerability—such as reviewing IT policies, training staff, coordinating with advisors, and conducting pre‑issuance cyber readiness assessments
  • Determine what cybersecurity‑related disclosures may be material to investors, including prior incidents, preparedness measures, and internal controls relevant to protecting bond proceeds