DECEMBER 3 2024
When the cyberstorm hits, your lighthouse needs to be lit
A lighthouse without its signal is just a tower in the dark.
#DORA, the Digital Operational Resilience Act, is - as you well know- the EU’s framework to strengthen cybersecurity in financial institutions. It focuses on ensuring that systems can withstand and recover from digital threats. We say that operational resilience isn’t just technical, it’s about communication too and your reputation.
Crisis communication as a core component of resilience
Resilience extends beyond restoring systems; it’s about maintaining
trust. Stakeholders expect clear, timely, and accurate information when things go wrong. Delays, mixed messages, or vague updates can turn a technical issue into a #reputational crisis.
Crisis communication should be an integral part of your incident response strategy. It ensures consistency, demonstrates leadership, and mitigates fallout during high-pressure situations.
Preparation and precision matter
Your communication strategy requires the same rigor as your cybersecurity measures. It calls for key steps with (1)
embedding communication into your response plan: It is not an add-on; it’s essential. (2) Have
cross-functional coordination implemented. Ensure IT, legal, compliance, and PR teams are aligned. (3) Plan and have it
tested under pressure. Run simulations to ensure good reactions, refine messaging and address potential gaps.
The signal that cuts through the fog
In a crisis, transparency and clarity matter most. Avoid jargon, be honest about the situation, and outline corrective actions. These efforts safeguard trust and demonstrate competence.
DORA sets the framework for resilience, but communication completes it. When the storm hits, your systems may hold, but will your message? A lighthouse without its signal is just a tower in the dark.
