DORA Compliance: security and operational resilience in the European digital landscape

The increasing digitalization of the financial sector has made digital operational resilience an essential requirement. Highly interconnected systems, large data volumes, and constantly evolving cyber threats require a structured approach to security.
It is within this context that the DORA Regulation (Digital Operational Resilience Act) comes into play, one of the key European regulatory instruments aimed at strengthening the stability of the financial system.

What is DORA Compliance

The Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) is a European Union regulation that defines a common regulatory framework for ICT risk management within the financial sector.
It applies to banks, insurance companies, payment institutions, fintech firms and, directly or indirectly, also to technology service providers that support these organizations.

DORA Compliance requires organizations to demonstrate that they have processes, controls, and security measures in place to ensure:

• protection of information systems,
  
• operational continuity,
  
• the ability to respond to and recover from ICT incidents.
  
  

The purpose of the DORA regulation

The main objective of DORA is to ensure that the entire European financial ecosystem is operationally resilient, even in the presence of critical events such as cyberattacks, infrastructure failures, or disruptions to digital services.

In particular, the regulation aims to:

• strengthen the prevention of cyber risks,
• improve incident management and reporting,
• increase oversight of third-party ICT providers,
• ensure harmonized security standards across Europe.
  
  

DORA does not merely impose formal obligations, but promotes a cultural shift: digital security becomes a central element of corporate governance.

The pillars of DORA Compliance

Compliance with the DORA regulation is based on five key areas:

1. ICT Risk Management
   Definition of policies, roles, and processes to identify, assess, and mitigate technological risks.
   
2. ICT Incident Management
   Ability to detect, classify, and promptly report significant incidents.
   
3. Digital Operational Resilience Testing
   Periodic assessments of system robustness and the ability to respond to critical scenarios.
   
4. Third-party Risk Management
   Continuous monitoring of technology partners, considered an integral part of the risk chain.
   
5. Information Sharing
   Structured exchange of information on threats and vulnerabilities to strengthen overall security.
   
   

Openapi service security aligned with DORA

The services provided by Openapi are designed following a security by design approach, in line with the principles of resilience, reliability, and control required by the DORA regulation.

Openapi’s commitment to security is also demonstrated through compliance with internationally recognized standards and certifications, including:

• ISO/IEC 27001, the benchmark for information security management systems;
  
• ISO 9001, ensuring quality and process control;
  
• ISO 25012, focused on data quality;
  
• UNI 125:2022, on gender equality.
  
  

These certifications support an operational model based on:

• structured ICT risk management,
• protection of data and infrastructures,
• continuous monitoring and incident response,
• high standards of reliability and service continuity.
  

Thanks to this approach, Openapi represents a solid technology partner for organizations facing DORA requirements, reducing operational complexity and increasing overall security levels.

DORA Compliance as a business value

Complying with the DORA regulation does not only mean meeting regulatory requirements, but building a more robust and reliable digital ecosystem.
Relying on providers such as Openapi, which operate according to consolidated and certified security guidelines, enables companies to face the challenges of digital transformation with greater confidence, protecting data, services, and reputation.