How to Future-Proof Your Business Beyond DORA: Embracing Security by Default for the Regulatory Road Ahead

The wave of regulations surrounding cybersecurity continues to build momentum. First, there was GDPR, then NIS2, and now DORA (Digital Operational Resilience Act) is set to reshape financial services. And we’re not stopping there—PSD3 is on the horizon, bringing even more emphasis on securing digital payments and preventing fraud.

It feels like a never-ending loop of compliance. But here’s the thing: new regulations aren’t going away. In fact, the trend is accelerating, driven by a shared goal across regulators—security by design and by default.

Rather than reacting to each new mandate, businesses should pivot to baking security into their core processes. This approach can help you prepare for any new regulation, avoid last-minute compliance scrambles, and future-proof your business.

Understanding the Growing Regulatory Landscape

DORA entered into force in January 2023 and will apply from January 2025. Its goal? To ensure that financial institutions have robust frameworks in place to manage ICT risks, handle third-party risks, and report cyber incidents. It’s designed to build resilience across the sector, helping organizations identify, mitigate, and recover from digital disruptions

On a broader scale, NIS2 similarly targets critical infrastructure, while upcoming regulations like PSD3 will likely focus on strengthening security in digital payments

All these regulations share a common theme—cybersecurity is no longer an option; it’s a necessity.

Security by Default: The Key to Long-Term Compliance

So, how do you stop worrying about the next regulation? The answer lies in shifting your mindset from chasing compliance to embedding security by default and by design.

• Security by default: Ensuring that your systems are secure from the ground up, with default settings prioritizing security.
• Security by design: Building security into every process, from product development to system architecture, so that it’s never an afterthought.

By taking this proactive approach, you can future-proof your business against new regulations like DORA, PSD3, and beyond. You’ll also improve your ability to handle ICT incidents, minimize third-party risks, and ensure smooth compliance across multiple frameworks.

Cybersecurity as the Common Thread

All of these regulations—whether it’s GDPR, DORA, or PSD3—share one foundational goal: strengthening cybersecurity.

For example, PSD2 already introduced strong customer authentication (SCA) to combat payment fraud. PSD3 will likely expand on this, making passkey authentication and FIDO2 standards crucial to achieving compliance. Passkeys offer a passwordless, phishing-resistant method of authentication that helps secure customer accounts while providing a better user experience.

By focusing on strong authentication and implementing passwordless solutions, you won’t just meet today’s requirements—you’ll be ready for whatever comes next.

How to Prepare for Future Regulations

Here’s how your organization can prepare for the future:

1. Adopt Strong Authentication: Replace outdated password systems with FIDO2 passkeys, which provide secure, scalable, and user-friendly authentication.
2. Build Cybersecurity into Your Culture: Security shouldn’t be an afterthought. From employee training to executive decision-making, cybersecurity needs to be part of your company’s DNA.
3. Ensure Scalability: Your security framework should scale seamlessly, no matter how large your organization grows. Solutions like Secfense’s agentless, no-code authentication platform allow for smooth scaling without overhauling your infrastructure.
4. Stay Proactive, Not Reactive: Instead of scrambling every time a new regulation comes out, focus on best practices in cybersecurity. By staying ahead, you’ll always be ready to meet the latest requirements.

Conclusion: From Compliance to Security-First

The regulatory environment is only going to get more demanding. But by embracing security by default and by design, your business can stay ahead of the curve. Instead of scrambling to meet each new regulation, you’ll have a resilient security framework that exceeds compliance standards—whether it’s DORA, PSD3, or whatever comes next.

Let’s talk about how adopting a security-first strategy can help your organization navigate the future of regulations with confidence. Drop me a message for a personalized consultation on implementing scalable, compliant, and secure authentication solutions.

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