DORA
EU regulation for digital operational resilience in financial sector
CMMI
Global framework for process maturity and improvement
Quick Verdict
DORA mandates ICT resilience for EU finance against cyber threats via testing and reporting, while CMMI is a voluntary framework for global process maturity in software/services. Finance adopts DORA for compliance; others use CMMI for performance gains.
DORA
Regulation (EU) 2022/2554 - Digital Operational Resilience Act
Key Features
- 1. Direct ESAs oversight of critical ICT third-party providers
- 2. Standardized 4-hour initial reporting for major incidents
- 3. Triennial threat-led penetration testing for critical entities
- 4. Comprehensive ICT risk management frameworks with proportionality
- 5. Harmonized resilience across 27 EU member states
CMMI
Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI)
Key Features
- Maturity levels 0-5 for organizational progression
- 25 Practice Areas in 4 Category Areas
- Staged and continuous representations
- Generic practices for institutionalization
- SCAMPI appraisals for benchmarking
Detailed Analysis
A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.
DORA Details
What It Is
Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA), Regulation (EU) 2022/2554, is an EU regulation bolstering ICT resilience for the financial sector against disruptions like cyberattacks. Applicable to 20 financial entity types (~22,000 entities) and critical third-party providers (CTPPs), it employs a risk-based, proportional approach for harmonized management across 27 member states, entering full application January 17, 2025.
Key Components
DORA's pillars include:
- **ICT Risk Management FrameworksIdentification, mitigation, continuity plans overseen by management.
- **Incident Reporting4-hour initial, 72-hour intermediate, 1-month root-cause for major incidents (>5% users or €100k loss).
- **Resilience TestingAnnual vulnerability scans; triennial threat-led penetration testing (TLPT).
- **Third-Party Risk OversightDue diligence, contractual rights, ESAs supervision of CTPPs. Supported by Batch 1/2 RTS/ITS; no formal certification but mandatory compliance.
Why Organizations Use It
Mandatory for EU finance to avert 2% turnover fines; counters threats (74% ransomware hit). Drives resilience, systemic stability, stakeholder trust, and competitiveness amid rising incidents like CrowdStrike outage. Enables proactive cyber defense and regulatory harmonization.
Implementation Overview
Gap analyses against RTS, policy development, tool deployment (e.g., monitoring), testing programs, vendor audits. Tailored by size/complexity; key for banks/insurers/fintechs. Ongoing reviews; ESAs audits/reporting ensure adherence by 2025 deadline. (178 words)
CMMI Details
What It Is
Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) is a globally recognized process improvement framework governed by ISACA's CMMI Institute. It helps organizations enhance performance through structured practices in development, services, and acquisition. CMMI employs a maturity-based methodology with progression from ad-hoc to optimizing processes.
Key Components
- 4 Category Areas (Doing, Managing, Enabling, Improving), 12 Capability Areas, 25 Practice Areas (v2.0)
- 6 Maturity Levels (0-5) in staged representation; Capability Levels (0-3) in continuous
- Generic Practices for institutionalization (policy, planning, monitoring, evaluation)
- SCAMPI appraisals (Class A for benchmarking, B/C for evaluation)
Why Organizations Use It
- Drives predictability, reduces rework/costs, improves quality (e.g., 34-61% gains)
- Meets DoD/contract requirements; enhances procurement eligibility
- Mitigates risks via quantitative management
- Builds trust, competitive edge via certified ratings
Implementation Overview
- Phased: assessment (gap analysis), design/tailoring, pilot/rollout, appraisal, sustainment
- Suits mid-large orgs in IT/software/defense globally
- Involves training, tooling, evidence capture; SCAMPI A optional for publication
Key Differences
| Aspect | DORA | CMMI |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Digital operational resilience in finance | Process improvement across development/services |
| Industry | EU financial sector only | Global, all industries including software/IT |
| Nature | Mandatory EU regulation | Voluntary performance framework |
| Testing | Annual basic + triennial TLPT | SCAMPI appraisals (A/B/C classes) |
| Penalties | Up to 2% global turnover fines | No legal penalties, certification loss |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about DORA and CMMI
DORA FAQ
CMMI FAQ
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