Actionable Insights to Strengthen Your Security Framework
At the moment, DORA compliance requirements are a hot topic in the financial industry.
The Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) aims to ensure businesses can handle cyberattacks and other technology disruptions.
One of the most important things DORA asks for is penetration testing.
Now, we know that DORA can seem a bit complicated.
That’s why we’re here! To help you understand the key requirements and how pentesting can strengthen your security framework.
Breaking Down the DORA Compliance Requirements
DORA applies to all financial companies in the EU. It has several requirements, including:
ICT Risk Management
This basically means figuring out what could go wrong with your technology and then taking steps to prevent it. Think of it as checking for fire hazards before sparking a blaze.
Incident Reporting
If something does go wrong, you need to have a plan for letting the right people know. This keeps things transparent and helps you get back on track quickly.
Operational Resilience Testing
This is where penetration testing shines. It’s about regularly checking your systems to make sure they can handle disruptions. Think of it as a digital fire drill.
Third-Party Risk Management
If you rely on other companies for tech services (like cloud providers), you must make sure they’re keeping their systems secure, too. Their problems can become your problems, so it’s important to keep an eye on things.
What is Penetration Testing?
Threat-led penetration testing (TLPT) is basically ethical hackers simulating real-world cyberattacks. These companies will try breaking into your computer system to find weaknesses in your defences before actual attackers do.
This helps you identify and fix vulnerabilities, making your systems more resilient.
It’s like testing your burglary alarm by opening doors and windows before going on holiday.
Why is Penetration Testing Important for DORA Compliance?
DORA wants you to be proactive about cybersecurity, not just react after something happens.
Penetration testing helps you do that by:
Reducing the Risk of Cyberattacks. We help you find and fix those weak spots before they become a problem.
- Protecting Your Reputation. A data security breach can damage your reputation and make customers lose trust. Penetration testing helps you avoid that.
- Complying with DORA Requirements. In order to adhere to DORA, you must conduct regular pentesting.
- Improving Your Overall Security. Penetration testing gives you a holistic view of your security strengths and weaknesses. This way, you can make the right choices to strengthen your digital setup.
We’re here to help with your pentest needs.
How to Make Pentesting Part of Your Security Strategy
- Take stock of your current security posture. What security measures do you already have? Where can you improve?
- Make sure your cybersecurity compliance strategy matches your business goals. Your security investments should help you meet your overall objectives.
- Regularly train your employees on cybersecurity. Everyone with access to your network must know the risks and how to stay safe online.
- Have a solid plan for dealing with incidents. Know what to do if something goes wrong, who to contact, and how to get things back to normal.
- Stay in the loop about cyber threats. Keep up-to-date on the latest attack methods and vulnerabilities.
- Find a penetration testing partner you can trust. Look for experience, expertise, and a solid track record, like 7ASecurity.
- We’ve helped many organisations just like yours achieve DORA compliance with our pentesting services. Our team audits your security controls thoroughly, with expert manual analysis, and then gives you actionable advice to improve your security, which is above and beyond the poor copy-pasted automated results of vulnerability assessments, without expert oversight, business context or ability to identify logic bugs, among many other shortcomings.
- Fix those vulnerabilities. It’s best to start with the most critical ones first.
Find the Right Penetration Testing Partner
Hiring someone from outside is best, even if you have a cybersecurity team.
Because they aren’t already familiar with your systems, they come in with a fresh perspective. Also, as pentesting is a major service offering, you can trust that they are up-to-date on the latest in the industry.
But you can’t let just anyone into your security system.
Here’s what to look for:
- Experience and Expertise. Make sure they have a proven track record in penetration testing and an in-depth understanding of DORA complaint requirements.
- Customised Approach. They should offer testing tailored to your specific needs and the threats you face.
- Comprehensive Reporting. You want a detailed report that clearly explains any vulnerabilities found, what they mean, and how to fix them.
- Strong Communication. A good provider will keep you in the loop throughout the process and provide ongoing support.
Take Action Today
DORA compliance isn’t just about checking boxes and keeping the government satisfied. It’s about building a secure and resilient financial business.
Pentesting is a crucial part of that.
