DORA regulations in France and impact for all industries

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Reviewed by: Nojus (Noah) Bendoraitis

France’s financial landscape is undergoing a rapid digital evolution, from the rise of fintech solutions to widespread use of online banking. Against this backdrop, European regulators have introduced the Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) to unify cyber risk management and incident reporting across member states. As one of the EU’s largest economies, France is especially keen on ensuring financial stability and consumer protection. 

This article examines how French authorities are integrating DORA into the country’s regulatory framework, explores whether the approach deviates from other EU nations, and highlights existing French regulations that already share DORA’s core focus. We’ll also provide a brief overview of auditing firms in France that can help organizations align with DORA’s requirements.

Why DORA matters in France

France is home to a thriving financial ecosystem that spans global banks, bustling fintech startups, and an intricate web of service providers. DORA directly targets financial entities, yet its emphasis on ICT risk management and standardized reporting cascades into nearly every industry dealing with customer data or critical financial infrastructure. Given how deeply French consumers value trust and stability in their financial products—reflected in robust data protection rules—DORA provides a valuable framework for unified digital resilience.

Comparing France’s path to other EU countries

All EU member states must adopt DORA’s provisions on cyber risk, third-party oversight, and incident reporting. However, each integrates these standards into its own national laws and enforcement mechanisms. In France, financial supervision is handled by:

Both ACPR and AMF already require detailed measures around ICT governance. Because these supervisory bodies are adept at weaving new EU directives into French law—think of previous experiences with PSD2 or the NIS Directive—DORA’s incorporation might be more streamlined compared to countries that have a more fragmented approach. Nonetheless, all EU nations, including France, share the same core goal: standardizing how organizations identify and mitigate operational and cyber threats.

France’s existing regulations and how they align with DORA

Although DORA is new, it draws on principles familiar to French regulators. Data protection has long been a priority under the GDPR (referred to as RGPD in France), and cybersecurity standards are enforced through entities like ANSSI (Agence Nationale de la Sécurité des Systèmes d’Information). The table below summarizes some French frameworks that intersect with DORA’s push for operational resilience:

French regulation or measureFocus areaSynergy with DORA
RGPD (Règlement Général sur la Protection des Données)Data privacy and protectionReinforces accountability for handling sensitive information, dovetailing with DORA’s incident reporting demands.
ACPR and AMF regulationsFinancial stability, consumer protection, market integrityICT risk management obligations in line with DORA’s overarching cyber resilience objectives.
ANSSI guidelinesNational cybersecurity standards and incident responseEncourages robust technical safeguards and coordinated breach reporting, mirroring DORA’s standardized approach.

French financial institutions may find DORA’s requirements more evolutionary than revolutionary. That said, businesses in adjacent industries—such as technology vendors or professional services that support financial firms—might need to step up their processes to meet uniform DORA standards.

Impact beyond finance

Even though DORA zeroes in on banks, insurers, and other financial organizations, its ripple effect in France can be significant. Cloud providers, software companies, and consultancies supporting regulated financial entities will likely need to meet DORA’s heightened thresholds. Incident reporting obligations, for example, could involve any third party that plays a role in delivering critical infrastructure or financial services. This interconnectedness means organizations outside the classic financial sphere should prepare for stricter vendor oversight, more robust risk assessments, and clearer accountability structures.

List of DORA auditors in france

While DORA does not publish a centralized list of certified auditors, several well-regarded firms in France specialize in ICT risk assessment, cybersecurity, and regulatory compliance. Below is a snapshot of possible partners for DORA-oriented audits and consulting:

FirmPrimary expertiseAdditional notes
Deloitte FranceCyber risk management, operational resilience auditsLarge global network with local French teams
KPMG FranceIT governance, internal controls, compliance reviewsKnown for expertise in banking & insurance
PwC FranceCybersecurity, risk assurance, GRC solutionsTailored approaches for mid-to-large entities
EY FranceIT audits, transformation consulting, data protectionStrong footprint in regulated industries
Mazars FranceInternal audit, ICT risk management, complianceRecognized for deep financial sector coverage
WavestoneCybersecurity consulting, incident responseFrench-based firm with a focus on technology

French organizations should evaluate each firm’s experience with EU-level directives, French supervisory expectations, and sector-specific needs to ensure thorough compliance guidance.

A tale of resilience in the Hexagon

DORA arrives at a time when France’s digital ambitions are soaring, from world-class fintech innovations to government-backed cybersecurity initiatives. By layering DORA’s requirements atop existing regulations, France aims to create a seamless framework that fortifies not just banks, but any organization tied into the financial ecosystem. In a rapidly digitizing world, embedding operational resilience into corporate strategy is no longer a luxury—it’s a competitive imperative. And in the Hexagon, where trust and reliability are prized, meeting these new standards can become a catalyst for sustainable growth.

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