Building Security by Design: Navigating DORA Compliance in the Digital Era

Since January 2025, the European Union’s Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) has reshaped how financial institutions and their technology partners manage digital security. This regulation is not just a compliance checkbox - it’s a mandate for resilience in an era where digital threats are sophisticated, persistent, and potentially catastrophic.

Security Is Now Non-Negotiable

Gone are the days when cybersecurity was a “nice-to-have.” With the increasing complexity and interdependency of digital systems, security must be seamlessly integrated into every aspect of business operations. DORA enforces this mindset, making resilience a built-in expectation - not an optional safeguard.

What DORA Requires: A High-Level Overview

To comply with DORA, organizations must:

• Proactively monitor and manage technology risks
• Report cyber incidents swiftly
• Conduct regular, comprehensive security testing
• Oversee and manage third-party and supply chain risks

Achieving this requires a mature, structured approach to embedding security at every stage of the Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC).

Shifting Left: Security from the Start

Security can no longer be bolted on at the end of development. It must be woven into the fabric of software planning, building, testing, and maintenance. Organizations following a formal SDLC must integrate security checkpoints and controls throughout, making it a continuous, measurable process aligned with business goals.

Key Security Metrics for DORA Compliance

To align with DORA, teams must adopt metrics that offer clear insights into security health. These include:

• Vulnerability Density: Tracks the number of vulnerabilities per 1,000 lines of code - essential for catching issues early.
• Time to Remediate: Measures how quickly security flaws are fixed, reflecting responsiveness and resilience.
• Penetration Test Coverage: Ensures that critical application areas are evaluated during simulated attacks, not just surface features.
• Secure Coding Compliance: Monitors adherence to safe coding standards to prevent common vulnerabilities.
• Authentication Strength: Assesses the robustness of login protocols, including multi-factor authentication.
• Security Test Pass Rate: Indicates how often software meets established security benchmarks before release.
• Incident Frequency: Post-deployment, this metric tracks how often security events occur in live environments.
• Third-Party Risk Score: Evaluates the risk posture of open-source components and vendor software.

Together, these metrics provide a 360-degree view of security effectiveness and SDLC maturity.

Moving from Metrics to Action

Complying with DORA is not just about tracking numbers - it’s about translating insights into action. Strong policies are foundational, but enforcement and adaptability are crucial. Organizations must ensure their security controls are current, agile, and rigorously tested.

Threat-Led Penetration Testing (TLPT): DORA’s Gold Standard

One of DORA’s most advanced provisions is Threat-Led Penetration Testing (TLPT). This isn’t your typical penetration test. TLPT requires organizations to:

• Leverage real-time threat intelligence
• Avoid generic testing templates
• Work with certified, experienced third-party vendors

AdvSec team stands ready to support your journey with deep expertise, proven methodologies, and certified professionals trained in cutting-edge threat simulation and regulatory alignment.

Security by Design Is the New Default

In the DORA era, security isn’t a checkbox - it’s a continuous, data-driven discipline. Treating security as an integral, measurable part of your development cycle isn’t just best practice - it’s a regulatory imperative. The organizations that succeed in this new landscape will be those that embed security into their DNA, anticipate threats, and evolve continuously.

‍