Cybersecurity governance frameworks for fintech product managers

Abstract

The rapid growth of financial technology (fintech) has introduced unprecedented levels of innovation alongside heightened cybersecurity risk. Fintech products operate in environments characterized by real time transactions, sensitive financial data, regulatory scrutiny, and complex third-party dependencies. While technical security controls are critical, many cybersecurity fAIlures in fintech arise from weak governance, unclear accountability, and misalignment between product strategy and security decision making. This paper examines cybersecurity governance frameworks from the perspective of fintech product managers, who increasingly serve as key decision-makers at the intersection of business, technology, compliance, and risk. The study analyzes existing governance standards, including iso/iec 27001, nist cybersecurity framework, cobit, and regulatory guidance such as psd2, dora, and pci dss, and evaluates their applicability to fintech product lifecycles. Based on this analysis, the paper proposes a product-centric cybersecurity governance framework that embeds security accountability, risk-based decision-making, and compliance alignment into product management processes. The framework clarifies roles, decision rights, and metrics, enabling product managers to systematically govern cybersecurity risks while sustAIning innovation velocity. The findings emphasize that effective cybersecurity governance is not solely a technical or compliance function but a strategic product management capability essential for trust, resilience, and long-term fintech success.