Standards Comparison

    DORA

    Mandatory
    2023

    EU regulation for digital operational resilience in financial sector

    VS

    CSA

    Voluntary
    1919

    Canadian consensus standards for occupational health and safety

    Quick Verdict

    DORA mandates ICT resilience for EU financial entities via testing and oversight, while CSA enforces controlled drug handling for US healthcare via registration and security. Organizations adopt DORA for regulatory compliance amid cyber risks; CSA to ensure legal drug management and prevent diversion.

    Digital Operational Resilience

    DORA

    Regulation (EU) 2022/2554 Digital Operational Resilience Act

    Cost
    €€€€
    Complexity
    High
    Implementation Time
    18-24 months

    Key Features

    • Mandates comprehensive ICT risk management frameworks overseen by management body
    • Requires 4-hour reporting for major ICT incidents to authorities
    • Imposes triennial threat-led penetration testing for critical entities
    • Establishes oversight of critical third-party ICT providers (CTPPs)
    • Harmonizes resilience rules across 20 financial entity types
    Product Safety

    CSA

    CSA Z1000 Occupational health and safety management

    Cost
    €€€€
    Complexity
    High
    Implementation Time
    12-18 months

    Key Features

    • Consensus-based development with SCC accreditation
    • PDCA structure for OHS management systems
    • Hazard classification across six categories
    • Risk assessment using hierarchy of controls
    • Worker participation and leadership commitment

    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), formally Regulation (EU) 2022/2554, is a transformative EU regulation bolstering digital resilience of financial entities against ICT disruptions like cyberattacks. Applicable to 20 entity types (~22,000 firms) and CTPPs, it employs a proportionality-based, risk-centric approach, effective January 17, 2025.

    Key Components

    • **ICT Risk ManagementComprehensive frameworks for risk identification, mitigation, annual reviews.
    • **Incident Reporting4/72-hour notifications, 1-month analysis for major events (>5% users or €100k loss).
    • **Resilience TestingAnnual scans, triennial TLPT.
    • **Third-Party OversightDue diligence, monitoring, ESAs supervision of CTPPs. Enforced via RTS/ITS, no certification but mandatory audits and fines up to 2% turnover.

    Why Organizations Use It

    Legally mandated for EU compliance, averting penalties. Mitigates systemic cyber risks (74% firms hit by ransomware), enhances third-party controls post-CrowdStrike. Builds trust, drives €10-15B investments in resilience tools.

    Implementation Overview

    Gap analyses, framework builds, testing programs, vendor mappings. Proportional to size/complexity; EU financial sector focus. Key steps: RTS alignment by 2025, ongoing reporting, JET audits for CTPPs.

    CSA Details

    What It Is

    CSA standards, developed by CSA Group, are Canadian National Standards forming a family of consensus-based documents for Health, Environment, and Safety (HES), with core focus on Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) via CSA Z1000 (OHSMS) and CSA Z1002 (hazard identification/risk control). They employ a risk-based Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) methodology to manage workplace hazards systematically.

    Key Components

    • Leadership/policy, planning (hazards/risks), implementation/operation (training/controls), checking (audits/incidents), management review.
    • Hazard categories: biological, chemical, ergonomic, physical, psychosocial, safety.
    • Built on PDCA; certification through SCC-accredited third-party audits.

    Why Organizations Use It

    Provides due diligence evidence, satisfies legal duties when referenced in regulations (65% in model codes), reduces risks/liability, enables continual improvement, boosts reputation and market access.

    Implementation Overview

    Phased: gap analysis, policy/training, operational controls, audits/reviews. Suits all sizes/industries, especially Canada-focused operations; certification optional but strategic.

    Key Differences

    Scope

    DORA
    Digital operational resilience in finance
    CSA
    Controlled substances regulation across healthcare

    Industry

    DORA
    EU financial sector only
    CSA
    US healthcare, pharma, research nationwide

    Nature

    DORA
    Mandatory EU regulation
    CSA
    Mandatory US federal law

    Testing

    DORA
    Annual basic, triennial TLPT
    CSA
    Inspections, inventory audits, security checks

    Penalties

    DORA
    Up to 2% global turnover fines
    CSA
    Fines, imprisonment, registration revocation

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions about DORA and CSA

    DORA FAQ

    CSA FAQ

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