Build and Maintain Operational Resilience with a Comprehensive Checklist

Operational resilience is a critical focus for financial services firms globally. With escalating regulatory expectations across multiple jurisdictions, heightened cyber threats, and increasing stakeholder demands, organizations must ensure they can withstand, recover from, and adapt to operational disruptions.

The growing emphasis on resilience, reinforced by frameworks like the Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA), highlights the need for firms to demonstrate robust preparedness and continuity planning.

To support financial services firms, we’ve developed an operational resilience checklist. This practical framework helps organizations strengthen resilience across critical business areas, align with global regulatory requirements, and maintain stakeholder trust.

What does the checklist cover?

• Enterprise-wide considerations: Gain insights into strategies such as conducting risk assessments, establishing business continuity plans (BCPs), and fostering cross-department collaboration to make resilience an organization-wide priority.
• Cybersecurity measures: Understand how to implement essential cybersecurity measures, including Written Information Security Programs (WISPs), incident response plans, and tabletop exercises, to protect against emerging threats.
• Regulatory compliance insights: Align business continuity plans with compliance obligations, review recent regulatory precedents, and adopt frameworks like ICARA to meet operational resilience standards.
• Technology and RegTech integration: Explore how advanced tools like RegTech can automate compliance processes, improve data integrity, and enhance operational efficiency during disruptions.
• Investment performance and ESG strategies: Discover ways to monitor investment performance during crises and ensure ESG commitments are integrated into resilience efforts to meet regulatory and stakeholder expectations.

Why operational resilience matters

Recent global challenges from pandemics and geopolitical disruptions to natural disasters - highlight the critical need for comprehensive resilience planning. Adopting robust strategies ensures compliance with global regulations, builds stakeholder confidence, and mitigates reputational risks during disruptions.

The checklist provides actionable steps to help financial services firms address risks, ensure compliance, and maintain stability in challenging environments.

Download it today to access tools and insights for building a stronger, more resilient organization.

Download the checklist now

How we help

At ACA, we empower financial services firms to establish and enhance operational resilience. Our comprehensive solutions include:

• Assessing and strengthening resilience: Conduct risk assessments and develop business continuity plans aligned with regulatory requirements.
• Protecting your business from cybersecurity threats: Implement a regulatory-focused cybersecurity program with best-practice controls and policies to safeguard critical data and address operational vulnerabilities.
• Maintaining compliance: Navigate complex regulatory requirements, align your policies and procedures, and proactively address risks to ensure operational resilience.
• Optimizing compliance technology efforts: Leverage RegTech solutions that automate compliance processes and improve oversight, ensuring you remain compliant even during disruptions.
• Enhancing investment performance: Provide ongoing monitoring and performance reviews aligned with your organizational goals, ensuring your investment strategies are agile and effective.
• Addressing ESG requirements: Develop strategies designed to meet ESG commitments and stakeholder expectations, integrating sustainability into your core operations.

Whether you are looking to launch, grow, or protect your business, our comprehensive solutions encompass advisory services, RegTech integration, and managed services tailored to your unique needs.

Ready to enhance your operational resilience? Contact us today to learn how we can be your partner in building a resilient organization that thrives in the face of challenges.

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