DORA regulation: New deal for financial IT resilience

The financial sector is entering a new era of cybersecurity and operational resilience with DORA (Digital Operational Resilience Act). This European regulation, applicable from January 2025, imposes a strict framework on banks, insurance companies and other financial players to strengthen their IT security and resist cyber attacks.

In this article, we’ll look at:
What DORA is and who it affects
The main regulatory obligations
How to prepare for DORA compliance
The role of automation tools like Answer Writer in facilitating risk and audit management.

DORA: Definition and scope of application

DORA ( EU Regulation 2022/2554) was adopted in 2022 and comes into force on January 17, 2025. Unlike a directive, DORA applies directly to financial entities in the European Union.

Who is affected by DORA?

The regulations apply to more than 20 categories of financial players, including :
Banks and insurance companies
Investment funds and management companies
Payment and crypto-asset service providers
Trading platforms and central depositories
Rating agencies, pension funds, etc.

Critical IT service providers (cloud, data centers, outsourced banking services) are also concerned. Those deemed “critical” will be directly supervised by European regulators.

DORA objectives and challenges

Why was DORA introduced?
The main objective of DORA is to guarantee the continuity of financial services, even in the event of a cyber-attack, a major IT breakdown or the failure of an IT service provider.

Limit the impact of cyber threats on financial stability
Create a harmonized EU-wide resilience framework
Strengthen IT risk management and supplier monitoring

DORA replaces scattered regulations and provides a single, binding and unified framework.

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DORA’s 5 regulatory pillars

DORA imposes 5 major obligations on the companies concerned:

1️⃣ A strengthened IT risk management framework

Companies must :
Implement IT risk governance validated by senior management
Adopt cybersecurity standards (ISO 27001, NIST, etc.)
Follow a vulnerability and threat management plan
Carry out regular audits

Solution: Answer Writer helps you structure your security policies and document your risk management framework.

2️⃣ Infrastructure and network security

Requirements include:
Protection of critical systems (encryption, MFA, access control)
Deployment of advanced anti-malware solutions
Implementation of SOC (Security Operations Center) monitoring systems
Regular patch management and vulnerability testing

3️⃣ Incident detection and response

DORA imposes a strict incident management process:
Rapid detection of cyber-attacks
Incident response plan
Notification of authorities within 24 to 72 hours in the event of a major incident

Fines of up to €250,000 can be imposed for late reporting of incidents.

4️⃣ Advanced resilience testing (Red Team, PenTest, PRA IT)

Companies must:
✔ Regularly test the robustness of their IT systems.
✔ Organize simulations of advanced cyberattacks
✔ Carry out IT continuity audits

Larger financial institutions will be required to conduct advanced penetration testing (TLPT ) inspired by the TIBER-EU program.

5️⃣ IT supplier risk management

DORA imposes strict requirements on suppliers:
Pre-contract audit of IT suppliers
Ongoing monitoring and evaluation of technology partners
Exit plans in the event of supplier failure

Critical IT suppliers will be directly supervised by the EU.

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How to anticipate and comply with DORA?

7 key steps to prepare for 2025

1. Perform a Gap Analysis
Assess your level of maturity in relation to DORA requirements.

2. Involve management and structure IT governance
Appoint a DORA manager and involve the risk committee.

3. Secure critical systems and monitor infrastructures
Strengthen threat detection, access and data protection.

4. Implement an incident management strategy
Create a response plan with processes for notifying authorities.

5. Launch resilience tests (PenTest, PRA IT, Red Team)
Test your company’s ability to respond to cyber-attacks.

6. Audit and monitor your IT suppliers
Strengthen third-party management with contracts tailored to DORA requirements.

7. Automate compliance and documentation with Answer Writer
Simplify the drafting of compliance documents through automation.

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DORA and automation: the role of Answer Writer

In the face of the complexity of DORA requirements, management and automation tools will be invaluable allies:

GRC (Governance, Risk & Compliance): Risk monitoring, audits and controls.
SIEM / SOC / Automated detection: Continuous monitoring of systems.
Third-party management (TPRM): Monitoring and evaluation of IT suppliers.
Automated documentation with Answer Writer:
Assisted drafting of cybersecurity policies and procedures.
Automated generation of DORA compliance reports
Real-time checklists and monitoring of regulatory obligations

Save time and reduce the risk of errors in your DORA compliance documentation with Answer Writer.

Conclusion: DORA, a major challenge for 2025, an opportunity for reinforcement

Compliance with DORA is not just a regulatory obligation, it’s an opportunity to improve the digital resilience of the financial sector.

Anticipate your compliancenow to avoid penalties and ensure continuity of your services.

Need help structuring your DORA compliance?

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