by Sam Peters, Chief Product Officer at ISMS.online
The Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) is officially in effect, bringing significant changes for financial institutions, ICT providers, and critical infrastructure businesses. Designed to ensure that organisations can withstand and recover from cyber disruptions, DORA is not just another regulatory hurdle, it is a fundamental shift in how resilience must be approached.
With the EU’s January 2025 compliance deadline now behind us, and the UK expected to introduce similar measures by March, businesses have little time to get their houses in order. While meeting DORA’s requirements may seem daunting, it presents an opportunity not only to strengthen security but also to gain a competitive advantage.
Risk Management
For businesses that have yet to start preparing, time is running out. The first step is conducting a comprehensive assessment of existing ICT risk management frameworks. Organisations must understand where vulnerabilities lie and whether their current security measures meet DORA’s stringent requirements.
Incident response planning is also crucial. Under DORA, financial institutions and ICT providers must have clear processes in place for detecting, reporting, and responding to cyber incidents. These plans need to be tested regularly, ensuring that in the event of an attack, businesses can act swiftly to contain damage and recover operations.
Another key area of focus is third-party risk management. Many financial institutions rely on external ICT providers, making supply chain security a major concern. Organisations must evaluate whether their vendors meet DORA standards and ensure contracts include key provisions such as security obligations, data protection, and incident reporting.
The role of frameworks in streamlining compliance
One way to streamline compliance is by leveraging integrated compliance platforms. These platforms can simplify the process by aligning DORA requirements with existing regulatory frameworks, reducing the administrative burden and making compliance more accessible for smaller firms.
Achieving compliance with DORA requires a structured approach to risk management, incident response, and operational resilience. Rather than tackling these challenges in isolation, organisations can benefit from established frameworks that provide a solid foundation for meeting regulatory requirements.
Standards such as ISO 27001 offer a clear pathway to DORA compliance by embedding best practices in information security management. Many core principles of ISO 27001, including risk assessment, business continuity planning, and incident response, align closely with DORA’s expectations. Organisations that have already adopted this standard will find themselves in a strong position, with many of the necessary policies and controls already in place.
Beyond compliance
implementing a recognised framework like ISO 27001 ensures that security and resilience become ongoing priorities rather than one-off exercises. DORA isn’t just about meeting regulatory checkboxes; it requires continuous improvement in how financial institutions and ICT providers manage cyber risks. A structured framework encourages businesses to assess vulnerabilities proactively, adapt to emerging threats, and refine their operational resilience strategies over time.
Another advantage of following an established framework is that it simplifies the process of demonstrating compliance to regulators. DORA requires firms to show they have an information security management system (ISMS) in place, and ISO 27001 provides a widely recognised structure for achieving this. Having a certified ISMS not only helps organisations meet their obligations under DORA but also signals to customers, partners, and regulators that they are taking a proactive approach to cybersecurity.
Using ISO 27001 as a foundation also makes it easier to integrate additional compliance requirements in the future. As the regulatory landscape continues to evolve, businesses will need to navigate multiple overlapping standards. A structured framework helps create a scalable approach, enabling organisations to build on existing policies and controls rather than starting from scratch each time a new regulation is introduced.
For organisations still in the early stages of DORA preparation, adopting an industry-recognised framework is a practical way to accelerate compliance efforts while improving overall resilience. Investing in a structured approach now will pay off in the long run, helping businesses navigate regulatory complexity while strengthening their ability to withstand cyber threats.
Financially, organisations that successfully implement DORA’s requirements could also benefit from lower cyber insurance premiums. Insurers are increasingly looking at operational resilience as a key factor when assessing risk, meaning businesses with strong security postures may find themselves in a more favourable position.
DORA compliance may seem like a challenge, but it is ultimately an investment in long-term resilience. Organisations that act now will not only avoid regulatory penalties but also strengthen their ability to withstand cyber threats, maintain customer trust, and safeguard financial stability.
