Scenarios library acts as a repository for generic, real-life severe but plausible scenarios that can be used to design business service-specific scenario tests. The scenarios contained within this library benefit from taking into consideration the known risks and threats affecting your organisation’s important business services, the organisation itself and the wider market.
The tables below will guide you in selecting the appropriate scenario type and subtype when adding a test plan for a business service and resource.
Scenario type 1: Credit Default
Scenario sub type | Description |
Counterparty Default | A trading partner or counterparty fails to meet financial obligations. |
Loan Portfolio Deterioration | A significant number of loans default due to economic conditions. |
Rise in Interest Rates | Increase in interest rates leading to higher borrowing costs. |
Scenario type 2: Cybersecurity Attack
Scenario sub type | Description |
Data Breach | Unauthorised access to sensitive customer data. |
Denial of Service | An attack floods a website or network with traffic, overwhelming its resources and making it unavailable to legitimate users. |
Malware Attack | A malicious software program infects computers or networks, causing malfunctions, data theft, or disruption. |
Phishing Attack | Employees fall victim to fraudulent emails leading to security breaches. |
Ransomware Attack | Critical systems are encrypted, demanding a ransom for their release. |
Supply Chain Attack | Unauthorised interference in the production or distribution process of goods or services |
Scenario type 3: Fraud
Scenario sub type | Description |
Payment Fraud | Occurs when someone steals another person's payment information and uses it to make unauthorized transactions or purchases. |
Securities Fraud | Insider trading, false information dissemination. |
Scenario type 4: Liquidity Crisis
Scenario sub type | Description |
Counterparty Defaults | Financial institutions fail to meet obligations, triggering liquidity strains. |
Market Downturn | Rapid decline in asset values leading to liquidity stress. |
Spike in Withdrawals | A sudden increase in client fund redemption requests. |
Scenario type 5: Market Disruption
Scenario sub type | Description |
Currency Volatility | Significant fluctuations in exchange rates impacting portfolios. |
Flash Crash | Sudden and severe market decline due to algorithmic trading anomalies. |
Trading Suspension | Exchange halts trading due to technical glitches or excessive volatility. |
Scenario type 6: Natural Disaster
Scenario sub type | Description |
Earthquake/Flood | Physical damage due to earthquake or flood disrupts operations and customer services. |
Severe Weather Event | Severe weather event like storms leads to power outages, transport issues, impacting operations. |
Scenario type 7: Operational Disruption
Scenario sub type | Description |
IT System Failure | A breakdown in IT system impacts business operations. |
Key Personnel Absence | Unavailability of key staff impacts business operations. |
Lockdown | Mandatory restrictions due to emergency situations or security threats impacts business operations. |
Supplier Failure | Disruption in the supply chain affecting business continuity. |
Systems Outage | Critical systems failure causing business interruption. |
Scenario type 8: Regulatory Compliance Failure
Scenario sub type | Description |
AML/KYC Violation | Inadequate anti-money laundering/ know-your-customer processes. |
Market Abuse | Unlawful trading activities or market manipulation. |
Reporting Errors | Submission of incorrect regulatory reports or missing deadlines. |