Deputy CISO SBI Appointment 2025: Babitha B P, ex-ReBIT and CSB Bank official, joins SBI to lead infrastructure security and special digital projects.
Babitha B P Joins SBI as Deputy Chief Information Security Officer
Appointment Highlights
In June 2025, the State Bank of India (SBI)—India’s largest public sector bank—appointed Babitha B P as its new Deputy Chief Information Security Officer (Deputy CISO), holding the rank of General Manager in charge of Infrastructure Security & Special Projects
Leadership in Cybersecurity
Babitha brings over two decades of experience in cybersecurity and risk management. Before joining SBI, she held key roles such as Vice President of System Audit at Reserve Bank Information Technology (ReBIT) and Chief Information Security Officer at CSB Bank. Her background includes a B.Tech in Electrical & Electronics Engineering from TKM Engineering College, which she completed in 2000, and then embarked on her professional journey in 2001
Strategic Role & Responsibilities
As Deputy CISO and General Manager, Babitha will lead critical responsibilities including:
- Strengthening SBI’s cybersecurity infrastructure
- Managing strategic initiatives to mitigate cyber threats
- Overseeing special projects aimed at digital security enhancement
She officially stepped into this role in June 2025 and shared her excitement and gratitude via LinkedIn, acknowledging colleagues and mentors for their support
Digital Security in Banking: A Growing Priority
With the rapid digitisation of banking—ranging from UPI to digital lending—the threat landscape has grown complex. Appointing seasoned professionals like Babitha highlights SBI’s proactive commitment to protecting user data and financial transactions. Additionally, this move emphasizes promoting women in senior tech roles, which sets a powerful precedent in India’s BFSI sector.
Why This News Matters
Safeguarding Digital Finance
India’s banking sector is increasingly vulnerable to cyber attacks—ranging from data theft to ransomware. Appointing a highly qualified Deputy CISO like Babitha strengthens SBI’s digital defences and builds trust among millions of its customers.
Industry-Wide Implication
SBI’s move signals a broader shift: top financial institutions now prioritize cybersecurity leadership. This trend underscores the strategic importance of cyber governance in the BFSI sector, boosting career scope for aspirants in tech and security roles.
Empowerment and Representation
Babitha’s appointment also serves as a notable milestone in gender representation within the tech domain, inspiring more initiatives to increase female leadership in cybersecurity and IT governance.
Historical Context: Evolution of Cybersecurity in Indian Banking
The Genesis
Cybersecurity in Indian banking began gaining momentum in the early 2000s, as ATMs and online banking became mainstream. The focus initially was on building secure networks and data privacy frameworks.
Regulatory Frameworks & Rising Threats
Institutions like RBI and IBA gradually introduced guidelines for IT governance and cyber resilience. However, post-2010, cyber threats escalated—ransomware incidents, data leaks, and fraudulent transactions became more frequent.
Rise of Dedicated Security Roles
As threats diversified, banks began creating senior cybersecurity roles like CISO and Deputy CISO. RBI also advocated for appointment of senior-level cyber experts. Large banks like SBI started focusing on infrastructure resilience, third-party audits, and incident response protocols.
The recent addition of Babitha B P, with her rich experience and leadership in ReBIT and CSB Bank, reflects SBI’s commitment to evolving its cybersecurity defenses.
Key Takeaways from “Babitha B P Joins SBI”
| S. No. | Key Takeaway |
|---|---|
| 1 | Babitha B P was appointed as Deputy Chief Information Security Officer (General Manager – Infrastructure Security & Special Projects) at SBI in June 2025. |
| 2 | She has over 20 years of experience in information security, including roles at ReBIT (Vice President, System Audit) and CSB Bank (CISO). |
| 3 | Babitha holds a B.Tech in Electrical & Electronics Engineering from TKM Engineering College and began her career in 2001. |
| 4 | Her responsibilities include overseeing cybersecurity infrastructure, leading strategic defense projects, and ensuring secure digital banking operations. |
| 5 | SBI’s strategic move underscores the growing importance of cyber resilience in banking and promotes female leadership in tech roles. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who is Babitha B P?
Babitha B P is a seasoned cybersecurity professional with over two decades of experience. She was appointed as the Deputy Chief Information Security Officer (Deputy CISO) of the State Bank of India in June 2025.
2. What is the role of a Deputy CISO in a bank?
A Deputy CISO is responsible for overseeing information security policies, safeguarding IT infrastructure, mitigating cyber risks, and implementing security strategies across the bank’s digital systems.
3. Why is cybersecurity important in banking?
Cybersecurity ensures the protection of customer data, financial transactions, and sensitive digital infrastructure from threats like hacking, phishing, and ransomware attacks, especially in the era of online and mobile banking.
4. What was Babitha B P’s role before joining SBI?
Before joining SBI, Babitha served as Vice President of System Audit at ReBIT (Reserve Bank Information Technology) and as Chief Information Security Officer at CSB Bank.
5. How is this appointment relevant for government exam aspirants?
This appointment highlights current trends in banking recruitment, cybersecurity leadership, women in tech, and digital transformation—all important topics for exams like SBI PO/Clerk, IBPS, SSC, UPSC, and other public sector recruitment.
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