The FT reported the exercise called cyber threat and vulnerability management, is being overseen by Andrew Gracie, director of the UK's special resolution unit within the Bank.

Companies likely to participate include Royal Bank of Scotland and the London Stock Exchange, the paper said.

The FT said the programme will involve cyber specialists from companies approved to do penetration testing.

BoE has conducted a pilot of the scheme, the FT reported citing two people familiar with the process.

The Bank could not be immediately be reached outside regular working hours.

(Reporting by Karen Rebelo in Bangalore; Editing by Lisa Shumaker)