DORA
EU regulation for digital operational resilience in financial sector
IEC 62443
International standard for IACS cybersecurity.
Quick Verdict
DORA mandates ICT resilience for EU finance against cyber threats via testing and reporting, while IEC 62443 provides voluntary OT cybersecurity framework with zones, levels for industries globally. Firms adopt DORA for compliance, IEC 62443 for robust IACS protection.
DORA
Regulation (EU) 2022/2554 Digital Operational Resilience Act
Key Features
- Mandates comprehensive ICT risk management frameworks
- Requires 4-hour initial reporting of major ICT incidents
- Enforces triennial threat-led penetration testing (TLPT)
- Oversees critical third-party ICT service providers (CTPPs)
- Harmonizes resilience standards across 27 EU member states
IEC 62443
IEC 62443: IACS Security Standards Series
Key Features
- Zones and conduits risk-based segmentation
- Security Levels SL-T, SL-C, SL-A triad
- Shared responsibility for stakeholders
- Seven Foundational Requirements FR1-7
- ISASecure modular certifications
Detailed Analysis
A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.
DORA Details
What It Is
The Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA), formally Regulation (EU) 2022/2554, is an EU-wide regulatory framework enacted on December 14, 2022, fully applying from January 17, 2025. It targets digital operational resilience for 20 financial entity types—like banks, insurers, and crypto providers—plus critical ICT third-party providers (CTPPs). DORA uses a risk-based, proportional approach to counter ICT disruptions including cyberattacks and system failures.
Key Components
- **ICT Risk Management FrameworksStrategies for risk identification, mitigation, and annual reviews overseen by management.
- **Incident Reporting4-hour initial alerts, 72-hour updates, and 1-month root-cause analysis for major incidents.
- **Resilience TestingAnnual basic tests plus triennial threat-led penetration testing (TLPT).
- **Third-Party OversightDue diligence, contractual clauses, and ESAs supervision of CTPPs. Compliance model involves reporting to authorities, with fines up to 2% of global turnover.
Why Organizations Use It
Mandatory for ~22,000 EU entities amid rising threats (74% ransomware hit). Delivers unified standards, systemic risk reduction, enhanced trust, and cybersecurity innovation, as seen in CrowdStrike impacts.
Implementation Overview
Gap analyses, framework builds, testing programs, vendor mapping. Applies EU-wide to varied sizes; leverages EBA precedents for larges. Key: pre-2025 readiness via RTS/ITS batches.
IEC 62443 Details
What It Is
IEC 62443 (ISA/IEC 62443 series) is an international consensus-based standards framework for cybersecurity of Industrial Automation and Control Systems (IACS). It provides a comprehensive, risk-based approach spanning governance, risk assessment, system architecture, and product development for OT environments, addressing unique constraints like safety, availability, and long lifecycles.
Key Components
- Four groupings: General (-1), Policies (-2), System (-3), Components (-4).
- Seven Foundational Requirements (FR1-7); ~140 component requirements.
- Zones/conduits segmentation, Security Levels (SL 0-4).
- ISASecure certifications (SDLA, CSA, SSA) for modular conformance.
Why Organizations Use It
- Mitigates OT cyber risks, ensures safety/reliability.
- Meets regulatory references (e.g., NIS-2, NERC CIP alignments).
- Enables secure procurement, supply chain assurance.
- Builds stakeholder trust via certified maturity (ML1-4).
Implementation Overview
- Phased: governance (2-1), risk assessment (3-2), controls (3-3/4-2), certification.
- Applies to asset owners, integrators, suppliers across industries/geographies.
- Involves CSMS setup, SL-T setting, audits; multi-year for full maturity.
Key Differences
| Aspect | DORA | IEC 62443 |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Digital operational resilience for ICT risks | Cybersecurity for industrial automation systems |
| Industry | EU financial sector entities | Industrial sectors worldwide (OT/IACS) |
| Nature | Mandatory EU regulation | Voluntary consensus standard |
| Testing | Annual basic, triennial TLPT | Risk-based SL assessments, certifications |
| 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 IEC 62443
DORA FAQ
IEC 62443 FAQ
You Might also be Interested in These Articles...
How to Implement CIS Controls v8.1 as a ‘Control Backbone’ for NIS2 & DORA (Step-by-Step Implementation Guide)
Deploy CIS Controls v8.1 as a control backbone for NIS2 & DORA compliance. Step-by-step roadmap (IG1→IG2), deliverables, metrics & evidence model for hybrid/clo
The SOC Maturity Roadmap: A 5-Step Blueprint for Scaling from Ad-Hoc to Optimized Operations
Unlock SOC excellence with our 5-step maturity roadmap. Compare SOC-CMM, NIST CSF, and CMMC frameworks to scale from ad-hoc to automated operations. Start your
5 Ways Modern Compliance Software Makes Evolving Regulations Your Strategic Advantage
Discover 5 ways modern compliance software turns evolving regulations into strategic advantage. Automate monitoring, cut 3x non-compliance costs, stay audit-rea
Run Maturity Assessments with GRADUM
Transform your compliance journey with our AI-powered assessment platform
Assess your organization's maturity across multiple standards and regulations including ISO 27001, DORA, NIS2, NIST, GDPR, and hundreds more. Get actionable insights and track your progress with collaborative, AI-powered evaluations.
Check out these other Gradum.io Standards Comparison Pages
COPPA vs 23 NYCRR 500
Unravel COPPA vs 23 NYCRR 500: Compare child privacy protections with NY financial cybersecurity rules. Master compliance gaps, fines & strategies for seamless adherence. Dive in!
ISO 37001 vs BRC
ISO 37001 vs BRC: Compare anti-bribery management with food safety standards. Key differences in scope, requirements, benefits & certification for optimal compliance. Dive in!
POPIA vs ISO 13485
Discover POPIA vs ISO 13485: Compare SA's privacy law with medical device QMS standards. Key differences, overlaps & compliance tips for secure data in healthcare. Align now!