Learn what the DORA regulation means for financial entities and IT providers. Learn how to achieve compliance and build digital operational resilience.
European obligation
DORA requires the financial sector to manage ICT risk in a structured way.
Broader than technology
The regulation also covers governance, processes and chain responsibility.
Make it demonstrable
Reporting calls for recorded risks, suppliers and controls.
Digital disruption has become one of the most significant risks facing the financial sector. Cyber incidents, system outages and third-party failures can quickly threaten operational continuity. With the introduction of the DORA regulation, the EU aims to ensure that financial organisations are digitally resilient and prepared for disruption.
“Digital risks now have the same impact as financial risks,” says Dirk Jan. “DORA recognises that resilience must be managed at board level, not just within IT.”
Although the UK is no longer part of the EU, DORA remains highly relevant for UK organisations operating within European financial markets or working with EU-regulated entities.
What is the DORA regulation and why is it critical?
The DORA regulation (Digital Operational Resilience Act) is a comprehensive EU framework designed to strengthen ICT risk management across the financial sector. As a DORA law, it sets clear expectations for how organisations identify, manage and respond to digital disruptions.
According to Dirk Jan, DORA is about control and preparedness. “DORA does not assume that incidents will never happen,” he explains. “It requires organisations to demonstrate that they can absorb shocks and recover quickly.”
The 4 steps to DORA compliance
Want to know how your organisation can efficiently meet the requirements of the Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA)? Download our comprehensive resource and discover practical steps to achieve compliance, manage risk and strengthen re
Which organisations must comply with DORA?
DORA compliance applies to a wide range of financial institutions, including banks, insurers, asset managers, payment service providers and fintechs, collectively referred to as DORA for financial entities.
UK-based organisations may fall under DORA if they:
- operate in the EU;
- provide services to EU-regulated financial entities;
- are part of a cross-border financial group.
“DORA has a clear extraterritorial effect,” notes Dirk Jan. “UK organisations cannot ignore it if they are part of the European financial ecosystem.”
Understanding the core requirements of DORA
The DORA requirements are structured around a set of clearly defined DORA obligations covering five key areas:
- ICT risk management;
- Incident detection and reporting;
- Digital operational resilience testing;
- Management of third-party ICT risks;
- Information sharing on cyber threats.
“What makes DORA unique is its integrated approach,” says Dirk Jan. “It connects governance, technology and third-party oversight into one regulatory framework.”
Digital Operational Resilience: the heart of DORA
At the core of DORA lies digital operational resilience, the ability to prevent, withstand, respond to and recover from ICT-related disruptions. This requires mature ICT risk management practices across the organisation.
“Digital operational resilience is not a one-off project,” Dirk Jan emphasises. “It is a continuous capability that must be tested, reviewed and improved.” This includes regular risk assessments, resilience testing and clearly defined responsibilities at senior management level.
“When the time comes to provide data, you generate a complete DORA report with a single click.”
Dirk Jan LeppersProduct Manager | ISPnextHow to prepare your organisation for DORA compliance
Preparing for DORA compliance starts with understanding your current maturity level in ICT risk management. Organisations should assess existing policies, controls and third-party arrangements against DORA requirements.
Dirk Jan advises a structured approach. “Start with visibility: know your critical systems, your key suppliers and your biggest risks. Only then can you close the gaps effectively.” Preparation should be phased, evidence-based and well documented.
Impact of DORA on third-party IT providers
DORA places significant emphasis on third-party risk. DORA for IT providers means stricter oversight, clearer contractual obligations and greater transparency.
Under the DORA regulation, financial entities remain accountable, but IT providers are expected to actively support resilience, incident handling and audits. “Third-party providers are no longer just vendors,” says Dirk Jan. “They become part of the regulatory risk landscape.”
How ISPnext supports UK companies with DORA Compliance
ISPnext helps UK organisations achieve and maintain DORA compliance by structuring ICT risk management, supplier oversight and reporting processes.
“Our focus is on making digital operational resilience measurable and manageable,” explains Dirk Jan. By centralising data, risks and controls, ISPnext enables organisations to demonstrate digital operational resilience in a way that aligns regulatory requirements with day-to-day operations.
Frequently asked questions
The DORA regulation is an EU DORA law aimed at strengthening digital operational resilience in the financial sector. While it is not UK legislation, it applies to UK organisations that operate in the EU or provide services to EU-regulated financial entities.
DORA compliance applies to banks, insurers, investment firms, payment institutions and other DORA for financial entities. UK organisations fall within scope if they are part of EU operations or supply critical services to EU-regulated firms.
The core DORA requirements include robust ICT risk management, structured incident reporting, resilience testing, third-party risk control and information sharing. These DORA obligations must be embedded in governance and supported by evidence.
DORA for IT providers introduces stricter expectations around transparency, resilience and cooperation. Under the DORA regulation, IT service providers must support audits, incident response and risk mitigation activities.
Digital operational resilience refers to an organisation’s ability to manage ICT disruptions without compromising critical services. It is closely linked to effective ICT risk management, testing and recovery capabilities.
Failure to meet DORA compliance requirements may result in supervisory actions, fines and reputational damage. Regulators expect organisations to demonstrate ongoing adherence to the DORA regulation, not just initial implementation.
ISPnext supports DORA compliance by providing tools and structure to manage risks, suppliers and controls. This enables organisations to demonstrate digital operational resilience in a consistent and auditable way.
.png?width=760)
.png?width=760)
.png?width=760)
.png?width=760)
.png?width=760)
.png?width=760)