BBVA has partnered with Telefónica Tech to strengthen its global cybersecurity operations.

The deal will see the global bank adopt “the most advanced” technologies in AI and automation to prevent cybersecurity threats.

Additionally, Telefónica Tech will set up a specialised centre in Mexico which will mirror BBVA’s existing Global Cybersecurity Centre in Spain.

The bank said the combination of the two centres will provide “comprehensive and uninterrupted” coverage for the whole Group.

The centre in Mexico will be fully operational from July and Telefónica Tech claims it will be one of the largest cybersecurity centres in the financial industry.

Around 200 cybersecurity professionals from Telefónica Tech will staff the centre, backed by a global network of more than 1,500 experts in cybersecurity operations in over ten security operation centres across Europe and the Americas to provide round the clock monitoring.

BBVA said it will incorporate the technology company’s latest advances to detect, identify and respond to potential threats, as well as to monitor the activity of cyber-attackers.

Telefónica Tech will provide almost fifty services aimed at providing a security response to each operational and business element of the bank.

This includes proactive anticipation of threats, definition of operational tactics as well as strategies to strengthen BBVA's resilience.

“These two hubs specialising in cybersecurity are unique in the financial industry and represent a new step towards protecting our infrastructures with the latest technological advances,” said Sergio Fidalgo, BBVA's global chief information security officer. “Our goal is to be a bank that is increasingly secure and prepared to respond to all types of attacks and to offer the best service to our customers with the best security guarantees in the market.”

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