The ultimate guide:
DORA software
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Specialised software helps financial firms systematically implement the requirements of the DORA Regulation in practice – from ICT risk management and incident reporting to comprehensive documentation for supervisory authorities.
We’ll show you, using concrete examples, how you can achieve structured and auditable DORA compliance with our SaaS solution.
David Weihbrecht
DORA expert from activeMind.legal Rechtsanwälte
The challenge of DORA compliance
The Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) has been mandatory for many financial firms in the EU since 17 January 2025. Banks, insurance companies, and financial service providers are under direct regulatory pressure: The competent supervisory authority in Germany, BaFin, is actively monitoring implementation.
The challenge lies in the depth and breadth of the requirements. DORA demands not only technical safeguards, but a fully documented, auditable management framework for digital resilience. In particular, financial firms must:
- establish and continuously maintain a comprehensive ICT risk management framework,
- classify ICT-related incidents, manage them internally and report serious incidents to the supervisory authority in a timely manner,
- regularly test their digital operational resilience,
- systematically identify, assess and contractually integrate all third-party ICT service providers into their own resilience strategy.
Those who cannot implement these pillars in a structured manner risk not only fines – but also the loss of trust from supervisory authorities, business partners and customers.
Why DORA compliance software is necessary?
Managing DORA compliance using spreadsheets, email chains, and manual documents is not a realistic option. The scope of the regulation and the regulatory obligation to provide evidence require a dedicated SaaS solution specialised in DORA.
By using ISMS software tailored to DORA, such as activeMind.cloud, you benefit from the following advantages:
- The complex DORA requirements have already been translated by experts into concrete, prioritised tasks.
- ICT risk management, incident management, and third-party risk management are all mapped in one place – so everyone can always find all the information they need.
- Responsibilities can be clearly defined, tasks can be delegated, and deadlines can be monitored.
- Dashboards and management reports provide senior management, risk managers, and compliance officers with a realistic picture of the company’s DORA maturity level at all times.
As a result, financial firms can achieve compliance more quickly, cost-effectively, and with greater audit-proofing by using specialised DORA software.
How does the SaaS solution help with DORA compliance?
Kick-off workshop
To ensure the DORA compliance software is optimally tailored to your financial institution, our collaboration begins with a structured kick-off workshop. Together with key stakeholders from senior management, IT, and compliance, our experts define the most important framework factors.
During the workshop, we jointly define the regulatory scope: Which business areas, systems, and ICT processes fall under DORA? We draw up an initial ICT risk map, identify critical functions and define internal responsibilities – so that it is clear from the outset who in your company is responsible for which DORA requirements.
You will then be granted access to the DORA compliance software in activeMind.cloud, where the values developed during the workshop have already been entered.
Your benefit: You don’t start from scratch, but with a SaaS solution tailored to your institution that is ready for immediate use.
Master plan and DORA schedule
DORA is not a one-off project – it is an ongoing operational process. The DORA compliance software from activeMind.cloud therefore includes, right from the start, a comprehensive implementation plan that provides a structured roadmap to verifiable compliance.
Based on proven best practices from other information security management systems (ISMS), the master plan shows you the logical sequence in which to address the DORA requirements: from the initial gap analysis, through the establishment of the ICT risk management framework, to the implementation of the reporting process for serious ICT incidents. All dates – workshops, internal audits, review cycles – can be viewed as a calendar, list of dates or Gantt chart.
The benefit for you: DORA compliance becomes manageable. You can see at any time where you stand, what’s next – and can submit a structured progress report to the supervisory authority if required.
DORA requirements as prioritised tasks
In the software’s task section, you will find all relevant DORA requirements already translated into concrete instructions. This applies in particular to the key areas:
ICT risk management (Art. 5–16 DORA)
The software guides you systematically through the establishment and operation of the required ICT risk management framework – including the requirements for identification, protection, detection, response, and recovery. Customised input forms assist with the recording and assessment of ICT risks in accordance with the Regulatory Technical Standards (RTS) and Implementation Technical Standards (ITS).
Incident reporting and management (Art. 17–23 DORA)
The SaaS solution provides you with a policy for ICT incidents and a template for recording security incidents. This enables you to record, assess, and report relevant incidents to the supervisory authority in a timely and coordinated manner, thereby drastically reducing the risk of reporting breaches.
Digital operational resilience testing (Art. 24–27 DORA)
The software supports the planning, execution, and documentation of the prescribed digital operational resilience tests. Regulatory documents and guided processes ensure that test plans are drawn up on a risk-based basis, results are evaluated in a structured manner, and identified vulnerabilities are consistently tracked. Integrated measure tracking and reporting functions for individual assets and tasks ensure audit-proof documentation and compliance with regulatory requirements.
Third-party ICT risk management (Art. 28–30 DORA)
The software assists in classifying ICT service providers into critical and non-critical providers, as well as in ensuring compliance with the minimum contractual requirements under Article 30 of DORA. Risk assessments and monitoring obligations for critical third-party ICT service providers are systematically documented and stored in an audit-proof manner.
Your benefit: You do not work with abstract regulatory texts, but with tried-and-tested tasks that are directly applicable to your institution – thereby conserving internal resources.
All documents in one place
DORA requires comprehensive, regulatorily robust documentation: ICT risk policies, business continuity plans, incident response procedures, contract registers for third-party ICT service providers, and much more. In the DORA compliance software from activeMind.cloud, you will find automated reports or templates for all required documents.
All documents are stored in an audit-proof manner, can be updated at any time, and can be quickly produced in the event of an audit. AI-powered functions help to complete and optimise documentation.
The benefit for you: you are always ready to provide information during a BaFin inspection – without spending hours searching through scattered drives and systems.
Mastering gap analysis and internal audits
The DORA compliance software from activeMind.cloud enables the structured execution of a DORA gap analysis. This assesses your organisation’s current maturity level across all core DORA areas: ICT risk management, incident reporting, third-party management, and digital resilience testing.
All audit questions are available as tasks within the SaaS solution, allowing those responsible to prepare specifically. Upon completion of the gap analysis, you will immediately receive a comprehensive audit report – including prioritised recommendations for action and a management summary.
Your benefit: You know exactly where your institution stands in relation to the DORA requirements – and can provide structured evidence of your DORA maturity level to supervisory authorities, the Executive Board and the Supervisory Board.
Accompanying DORA consultancy
When using the DORA compliance software, you also have access to experienced DORA experts. This gives you the ideal combination of a specialised SaaS solution and bespoke regulatory advice – particularly when it comes to interpreting the Regulatory Technical Standards (RTS) and Implementation Technical Standards (ITS).
Our experts are happy to provide ad hoc support on specific DORA topics or act as external points of contact to help you achieve full regulatory compliance.
Choose our ISMS software for your DORA compliance
Numerous successful DORA compliance demonstrations by our clients confirm the effectiveness of our audit-focused approach.
We would be happy to demonstrate how the workflows function directly within the software during a demo call.
You can find an overview of all prices and additional offers on this page.
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Frequently asked questions about choosing DORA compliance software
Does ISMS software need to be specialised for DORA?
Yes – DORA sets specific requirements that are not fully covered by generic compliance or GRC tools. In particular, the reporting deadlines for ICT incidents, the RTS-compliant risk assessment procedures, and the structured register for third-party ICT service providers require a dedicated solution that is precisely tailored to DORA requirements.
Which DORA requirements does the software cover?
The software addresses key DORA requirements through task and asset management: ICT risk management framework (Art. 5–16), ICT incident management and reporting obligations (Art. 17–23), digital resilience testing (Art. 24–27) and ICT third-party risk management (Art. 28–30). The requirements are stored as prioritised tasks with templates and input forms.
Does the software assist with providing evidence to supervisory authorities?
Yes. The DORA compliance software is consistently geared towards regulatory auditability. All documents, risk assessments and third-party registers are stored in an audit-proof manner and can be made accessible to auditors from BaFin or other competent authorities in a structured format. Reported incidents and tests carried out can be clearly documented.
Does the software work without an external DORA consultant?
In principle, yes – provided there is sufficient in-house expertise on DORA and the associated RTS/ITS. However, as DORA is a highly specific regulation with complex technical standards, we recommend at least initial support from an external DORA expert to avoid misinterpretations and unnecessary detours.
Guidance on other standards that you can comply with using our ISMS software:
DORA
The Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) regulates the digital resilience of companies in the financial sector.
The Network and Information Security Directive (NIS2 Directive) aims to strengthen resilience to cyber threats and improve the security of critical infrastructures.