How to Prepare for the DORA Regulation

Regulatory pressure is no longer just a matter for compliance teams — it’s now a driver of operational transformation.

With the DORA (Digital Operational Resilience Act) coming into force in January 2025, the European financial sector faces a structural shift. It’s no longer enough to protect — institutions must now prove they can withstand, recover from and continue operating through serious digital disruption.

In an ecosystem where cyberattacks grow in scale and complexity — threatening supply chains, critical systems and public trust — DORA responds to a systemic issue: the lack of cross-cutting digital resilience.

This isn’t just another directive. It’s a regulation with concrete obligations, clear deadlines and direct impact on risk management, governance models and technology infrastructure.

The real challenge? Turning a dense, demanding regulatory framework into practical, effective and sustainable action. Moving from a reactive posture to a proactive one.

That’s the shift DORA calls for. Because the question is no longer what it requires — it’s how to operationalise it with strategic vision, technical rigour and organisation-wide alignment.

1. Governance Model: Leadership has to lead

Compliance starts at the top. Build Technology Risk teams with direct reporting to the Board and invest in continuous cyber-resilience training. Zero Trust security is no longer optional — it’s expected.

2. Monitor, control, respond

IT risk management requires living systems: ongoing monitoring, automated alerts, and regular updates to continuity plans. The logic is simple — detect before reacting, respond before damage occurs.

3. Incident reporting: communication is mitigation

A clear framework for notifying national and European regulators is critical — not just for compliance, but for speed during crises. Internal communications must be aligned and tested in advance.

4. Test to be resilient

DORA doesn’t want theory — it demands proof. Regular testing, crisis simulations and audits of ICT suppliers must be part of the annual routine. Strategy meets reality here.

5. Third-party risk: the invisible weak link

If the supply chain fails, operations fail. Keep supplier contracts up to date, assess concentration risks, and ensure critical vendors comply with regulatory guidance — with exit strategies that leave no blind spots.

6. Share to strengthen

Build networks for information-sharing with similar organisations, set up internal alert channels, and participate in cybersecurity forums like those run by national cybersecurity authorities. In this space, silence isn’t golden — it’s a risk.

DORA Compliance Is an Opportunity to Evolve

Putting DORA into practice means reshaping systems, mindsets and ways of operating. The investment required goes beyond tech — it’s cultural, strategic and structural. It’s about seeing technology not as support, but as a core driver of business continuity.

To stay relevant, organisations must build robust, resilient and regulation-ready structures — because compliance is no longer a nice-to-have. It’s a must.

Timestamp: The Right Partner for Your Business

DORA compliance isn’t just a legal requirement — it’s a chance to strengthen your digital security.

At Timestamp, we bring together two decades of cybersecurity experience, a team of over 50 senior experts, and best-in-class technology partnerships to help your organisation navigate this transformation with confidence.

Our proprietary methodology, tested across industries, integrates DORA’s requirements with proven market practices — delivering a smooth, secure and comprehensive shift to the new cybersecurity landscape.

Discover how Timestamp can support your DORA journey:
https://www.timestampgroup.com/oferta/privacy-and-digital-security