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2023-01-01

Network Infrastructure Upgrade for ZIPSS, CSD and eBOP Systems

The Bank of Zambia has initiated a comprehensive network infrastructure upgrade for the ZIPSS, CSD, and eBOP systems to enhance operational efficiency and strengthen cyber resilience. Partnering with Micronics Consulting Limited, the project deploys AI-powered security services, centralized operational visibility, and automated network management capabilities across all market infrastructure. Commercial banks must disseminate the upgrade details to their ICT personnel and participate in a virtual stakeholder orientation meeting scheduled for September 7, 2023.

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Bank of Zambia OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY GOVERNOR - OPERATIONS

BOZ/EXEC/DGO/ict/bp

August 25, 2023

CB Circular No. : 24/2023

To : All Heads of Commercial Banks

NOTIFICATION OF NETWORK INFRASTRUCTURE UPGRADE FOR THE ZAMBIA INTERBANK PAYMENT AND SETTLEMENT SYSTEM, CENTRAL SECURITIES DEPOSITORY AND ELECTRONIC BALANCE OF PAYMENTS SYSTEMS

Reference is made to the above subject matter.

In order to improve operational efficiency and build resilience to the ever-increasing cyberthreats, the Bank of Zambia is in the process of upgrading the network infrastructure for the Zambia Interbank Payment and Settlement System (ZIPSS), Central Securities Depository (CSD) and Electronic Balance of Payments (eBOP) systems. This upgrade is aimed at addressing the identified pain points with the existing network infrastructure and introducing new capabilities, such as:

  1. Delivery of consistent security, unified management, analytics, and artificial intelligence (AI)-powered security services across the entire market infrastructure;
  2. Centralised operational visibility to deliver insights to efficiently and proactively address operational issues and reduce time to remediation; and
  3. Advanced network capabilities to empower participant organizations with limited technical resources by simplifying and automating key network management and operational activities.

The Bank of Zambia has contracted Micronics Consulting Limited to work with all industry stakeholders in implementing this project which is currently at inception phase. Therefore, to help you plan for the upgrade, the Bank has arranged for a virtual meeting to be held on Thursday, September 7, 2023 at 09:00 hours to orient all stakeholders to the project.

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Bank Square, Cairo Road, P.O. Box 30080, Lusaka, Zambia Tel:+260-211-399303, 399300, E-mail: dgo@boz.zm. Web: http://www.boz.zm

CB Circular No. 24/2023 - 2 - August 25, 2023

The meeting agenda and details have been provided in the attached document. We recommend that this information be shared with individuals who work directly with ICT network infrastructure to ensure that communicated information and any related activities are received and actioned timeously by all stakeholders.

Please do not hesitate to contact Bank of Zambia at networkoperations@boz.zm for more information or support relating to this exercise.

[Signature]

Francis Chipimo (PhD) DEPUTY GOVERNOR – OPERATIONS

cc Governor Deputy Governor – Administration Director – Information and Communications Technology Director – Payment Systems Director – Financial Markets Director – Economics Director – Bank Supervision

Bank Square Cairo Road, P.O. Box 30080, Lusaka, Zambia Tel.+260-211-399303, 399300, E-mail: dgo@boz.zm. Web: http://www.boz.zm

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