Banks have been advised to enhance their security after the US National Security Agency ( NSA ) accessed the Swift global banking platform by exploiting vulnerabilities in Microsoft Windows . Securing software and systems by immediately installing security updates, patches and software is key to protecting against exploits such as these," it continued, adding: "Swift regularly releases security updates reinforcing our products, thereby protecting against known exploits." Hacking group Shadow Brokers published documents last week claiming the NSA accessed the Swift network by compromising third - party banking service providers in North America and the Middle East . Swift , which manages money transfers between more than 10,000 financial institutions worldwide , urged banks to immediately install any software updates and patches , and pay close attention to security when working with third - party providers .
Banks have been advised to enhance their security after the US National Security Agency ( NSA ) accessed the Swift global banking platform by exploiting vulnerabilities in Microsoft Windows . Hacking group Shadow Brokers published documents last week claiming the NSA accessed the Swift network by compromising third - party banking service providers in North America and the Middle East . Swift , which manages money transfers between more than 10,000 financial institutions worldwide , urged banks to immediately install any software updates and patches , and pay close attention to security when working with third - party providers .