The DORA Deadline Is Here: Is Your Mainframe Ready?

The DORA (Digital Operational Resilience Act) compliance deadline of January 17, 2025, is nearly upon us. For risk management leaders, this isn't just another compliance challenge—it's a critical opportunity to fortify their organization's digital infrastructure against evolving cyber threats and ensure sustained operational resilience.

With financial services organizations under increasing pressure from cyberattacks, DORA mandates that businesses implement robust, proactive risk management frameworks. But amidst myriad preparations, have you included the mainframe in your strategy?

In this article, you will learn what you need to know to meet DORA’s requirements seamlessly when it comes to the mainframe, in addition to a helpful mainframe compliance checklist.

Key DORA requirements and why your mainframe is integral

By January 17, 2025, DORA mandates that financial institutions meet stringent standards across several fronts, all aimed at mitigating risks and enhancing resilience. When it comes to your mainframe, here are the critical areas to focus on:

1.  Vulnerability management

• What DORA requires: Establish a comprehensive vulnerability management program that includes regular vulnerability assessments, scanning for code and configuration vulnerabilities, management of open-source vulnerabilities, and annual penetration testing.
• Mainframe relevance: Mainframes can harbor undetected vulnerabilities, some of which include code-based, configuration-based, and open-source. Regular scanning and patch management are essential to prevent exploits that could compromise your organization’s operations.

2. Data recovery and resilience

• What DORA requires: Implement robust data recovery solutions capable of restoring operations within a two-hour recovery window by design.
• Mainframe relevance: DORA’s recovery time objective (RTO) highlights the need for precision recovery at the dataset level. Without a targeted data recovery plan for your mainframe, achieving compliance—and protecting critical business functions—becomes nearly impossible.

3. Open-source support

• What DORA requires: Provide full support for open-source code and tools to efficiently address vulnerabilities.
• Mainframe relevance: Unsecured open-source technologies within your mainframe ecosystem may introduce significant risks. Leveraging rapid and reliable support aligned with the NIST National Vulnerability Database ensures swift action against potential risks to prevent exploitation.

By anchoring your DORA compliance plan around these mainframe-specific challenges, you can optimize cybersecurity practices while reducing operational risks.

Compliance checklist for risk management leaders

To help you prepare for the DORA requirements, we’ve distilled a detailed compliance checklist. Make sure these critical steps are part of your roadmap:

1. Vulnerability management

• Conduct regular vulnerability scanning for both code-based and configuration-based vulnerabilities on the mainframe.
• Address and manage open-source vulnerabilities promptly, ensuring alignment with the NIST National Vulnerability Database.
• Perform annual penetration tests for maximum visibility into potential risks.
• Assess your security configuration parameters against your organization's corporate security policy.
   

2. Mainframe user governance 

• Divide responsibilities and access rights appropriately to minimize internal security risks.
• Implement strong authentication measures, such as multi-factor authentication, for additional security layers.
   

3. Data recovery solutions 

• Deploy cutting-edge data recovery tools capable of restoring key datasets to mitigate downtime and meet the two-hour recovery time mandated by DORA.
• Test your recovery solutions regularly to ensure they function effectively under operational stress.
   

4. Incident response planning 

• Develop a comprehensive incident response plan tailored to mainframe-related breaches or failures.
• Train your team on rapid response protocols to mitigate damage and restore operations efficiently.
   

5. Continuous risk assessment 

• Submit regular risk assessments and vulnerability reports to ensure your organization meets DORA’s stringent evaluation requirements.
   

6. Ongoing monitoring and support 

• Continuously monitor and update mainframe systems to align with the latest security standards and vulnerability patches.
• Leverage third-party expertise for open-source language and tool support to mitigate risks associated with known vulnerabilities.

Why acting now is critical

While DORA sets a clear deadline, waiting to act will create avoidable operational risks for your organization. See Rocket Software’s DORA Action Guide to help you get started. Cyberthreats evolve at breakneck speed, and organizations failing to act swiftly may face steep penalties, reputation damage, and irreparable financial losses. By addressing the mainframe as a critical component of your compliance strategy, you can ensure comprehensive protection across your enterprise.

Additionally, remember that DORA compliance isn’t just about checking regulatory boxes—it’s about building a resilient and secure foundation for your business operations. Your organization can gain a competitive advantage by ensuring its infrastructure is protected from evolving cybersecurity threats.

Partnering for success

Navigating the complexities of DORA compliance requires actions and advanced tools to address mainframe-specific vulnerabilities. Partnering with Rocket Software for compliance initiatives against regulations like DORA can provide your organization with the technology, services, and support needed to meet these requirements with confidence.

With vulnerability management tools, robust data recovery solutions, and open-source support aligned with DORA's mandates, Rocket Software delivers the comprehensive approach you need to reach—and sustain—compliance.

Protect your business and meet the DORA deadline

The January 17, 2025, DORA deadline has arrived. Risk management leaders must act now to ensure that their mainframes not only meet regulatory requirements but also become pillars of operational resilience.

Are you ready to build a DORA-compliant strategy that addresses all critical vulnerabilities, recovery requirements, and incident response measures? Contact a Rocket Software security specialist today to support your compliance initiatives against DORA.

Meet the deadline. Strengthen your resilience. Protect your enterprise.