Observed Signal · Apr 22, 2026 · Executive Interview · Source: CNBC Technology · Impact: 2/5 · Sentiment: Negative
DBS CEO Warns Cyber and AI Risks Keep Her Up
DBS Group CEO Tan Su Shan told CNBC at the CONVERGE LIVE event in Singapore that her primary concern is cyberattacks, calling cyber the "new war" and urging perpetual vigilance. She described DBS’s security posture as “assume nothing, trust nothing, trust nobody,” driven by continuous red‑teaming and stress tests. Tan also warned that generative and agentic AI increase efficiencies but expand the attack surface, requiring strict guardrails and robust data lifecycle management for systems touching production and core banking infrastructure.
Highlights rising cyber and AI-related risks for a major regional bank and underscores operational and data-governance practices (red teaming, guardrails) that are relevant to financial institutions and organizations handling sensitive user data, but is not a platform policy or technical release that would broadly reshape AdTech.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- Tan Su Shan, CEO of DBS Group, said cyber threats are her top concern and described cyber as the "new war."
- DBS employs continuous red‑teaming and stress tests and promotes a "trust nothing" mindset for cybersecurity.
- Tan warned that generative and agentic AI expand attack surfaces and require guardrails when deployed in production systems.
- DBS has built frameworks for data lifecycle management to govern access, auditability and deletion of sensitive data.
- Remarks were made on the sidelines of CNBC's CONVERGE LIVE event in Singapore.
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