Core Insights - The Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) is a European Union regulation aimed at ensuring financial entities and their critical ICT providers can withstand and recover from technology disruptions [1] - IBM has been designated as a critical ICT third-party provider under DORA, highlighting its essential role in supporting the resilience of Europe's financial sector [2][3] - This designation places IBM under the supervision of European Supervisory Authorities, emphasizing its commitment to operational resilience and regulatory compliance [3][4] Company Implications - IBM's designation reinforces its longstanding partnership with financial services firms and its role in helping them meet DORA obligations while fostering innovation [4][5] - The company has proactively worked across its technology and services units to address DORA requirements, contributing to a framework that protects the stability of Europe's financial system [5] - IBM aims to engage constructively with European Supervisory Authorities, leveraging its expertise in risk management and cybersecurity to assist clients in navigating evolving regulatory requirements [6] Industry Context - The DORA regulation is designed to strengthen operational resilience across Europe's financial ecosystem, mitigate systemic risk, and ensure trust in digital services [2] - Financial institutions are expected to invest in resilience to safeguard stability and trust in their digital services, aligning with the objectives of DORA [9] - IBM's role as a critical ICT provider positions it to play a significant part in the ongoing digital transformation of the financial services sector [7]