Strengthen Digital Resilience with DORA
The European regulation for digital operational resilience in the financial sector
Financial institutions are increasingly dependent on IT systems, cloud solutions and external ICT service providers. But how do you ensure that your organization remains digitally resilient against cyber attacks, system failures or disruptions at suppliers?
DORA (Digital Operational Resilience Act) is the European regulation that addresses this. The accompanying RTS (Regulatory Technical Standards) and ITS (Implementing Technical Standards) translate the legal framework into concrete, auditable obligations. At uComply, we not only help you comply with DORA, but above all help you structurally gain control over digital operational resilience.
What is DORA?
DORA applies to financial entities within the EU. The law has been in effect since January 2025 and requires organizations to structurally ensure their digital operational resilience. The accompanying technical standards — RTS and ITS — were developed by the European supervisory authorities:
- •EBA — European Banking Authority
- •ESMA — European Securities and Markets Authority
- •EIOPA — European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority
The five pillars of DORA
ICT risk management
A robust framework for identifying, assessing and managing ICT risks, with clear governance and board responsibility.
Incident management
Structured processes for detection, classification and reporting of ICT-related incidents to supervisory authorities.
Digital resilience testing
Regular testing of digital operational resilience, including advanced TLPT (Threat-Led Penetration Testing) for significant entities.
Third-party risk management
Management and monitoring of ICT third parties, including contractual requirements, exit strategies and a European oversight framework for critical providers.
Information sharing
Structured exchange of information about cyber threats and vulnerabilities within the financial sector.
The emphasis is on demonstrability, documentation and continuous improvement. DORA is not a one-time exercise — it requires a structural compliance process.
DORA and NIS2: what is the difference?
Both regulations focus on cyber resilience, but differ in scope and application. For financial institutions, DORA is the leading regulation — where both overlap, you follow DORA.
In uComply, you manage both DORA and NIS2 in one integrated system. Shared controls are automatically linked, preventing duplicate work.
uComply approach: pragmatic, integral and demonstrable
DORA requires more than just policy on paper. It demands demonstrable management of ICT risks, clear responsibilities and structured reporting to supervisory authorities.
With uComply, we not only help you comply with DORA, but above all help you structurally gain control over digital operational resilience. Our approach focuses on collaboration between risk, IT, compliance and management.
DORA gap analysis
We conduct a comprehensive gap analysis based on the RTS/ITS. Where does your organization stand now and what still needs to be done?
Integrate ICT risk management
ICT risk management is integrated into your existing framework — for example your ISMS or ERM. Not a standalone system, but an integrated approach.
Set up incident processes
Incident classification and reporting processes are set up in accordance with RTS requirements — from detection to notification to the supervisor.
Develop testing strategy
A testing strategy for digital resilience is developed, including scenario analyses and where required TLPT (Threat-Led Penetration Testing).
Governance & awareness
Board involvement and awareness are strengthened. DORA becomes not a compliance project, but an integrated part of your governance.
What does DORA compliance deliver?
Demonstrable compliance
You not only comply with DORA, but can also substantiate this to supervisory authorities.
Control over ICT third parties
More insight into risks at critical suppliers and cloud providers. Contractual and operational control.
Stronger governance
Clear roles and responsibilities at board level. Management is demonstrably involved.
Improved cyber resilience
Faster detection, better response and less impact during incidents. Structurally tested and improved.
Stakeholder confidence
Customers, partners and supervisory authorities see that digital resilience is structurally embedded in your organization.
Who does DORA apply to?
DORA has a broad scope and applies to virtually all financial entities in the EU, as well as their critical ICT service providers.
Financial entities
- • Banks and credit institutions
- • Insurers and reinsurers
- • Investment firms
- • Pension funds
- • Payment institutions
- • Crypto-asset service providers
ICT service providers
- • Cloud service providers
- • Managed service providers
- • Data analytics providers
- • Software vendors to the financial sector
- • IT outsourcing parties
Building digital operational resilience together
DORA is not a one-time exercise, but a structural change in how financial organizations deal with ICT risks.
Do you want not just compliance, but real control over your digital resilience? uComply supports you with a practical and goal-oriented approach.