AI-Powered Zero Trust Architecture in FinTech Cybersecurity: Frameworks, Emerging Threats, and Strategic Perspectives for Open Banking Ecosystems

Abstract

This paper examines whether an artificial intelligence powered Zero Trust architecture provides a more suitable cybersecurity paradigm for financial technology and Open Banking ecosystems than perimeter-oriented security or non-intelligent Zero Trust design. Prior Work: Prior research has examined fraud analytics, Zero Trust architecture, interface security and digital operational resilience, but these strands remain only partially integrated in Open Banking research. Approach: The paper develops a four-layer security architecture and supports it through scenario-based Monte Carlo validation comparing perimeter security, Zero Trust only and an artificial intelligence powered Zero Trust model across four representative attack scenarios. Results: Under the study assumptions, the proposed architecture produces lower attack success, higher early detection and shorter containment time than the comparison architectures. The ranking remains stable under sensitivity testing and pairwise statistical comparison. Implications: The framework is relevant for security architects, financial institutions, technology firms and supervisory stakeholders operating under resilience-centred regulation. Value: The paper contributes an architecture-level integration of continuous verification, behavioural analytics, adaptive policy enforcement and resilience governance for Open Banking security.