How IBM responds to regulatory complexity in financial services
The evolving landscape of financial services is driving a new level of collaboration between firms, critical third parties, and technology providers. At IBM, this shift is evident as teams that traditionally worked in silos now find themselves working together more closely than ever. This change is crucial in the context of increasing regulatory complexity, especially with frameworks like the Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA), which emphasises the importance of data integrity and availability.
The speaker highlights that being a good partner in this ecosystem goes beyond just managing risks—it’s about showing up in a way that fosters true collaboration. This involves asking the right questions, even the seemingly obvious ones, to ensure clarity and uncover hidden challenges before they become crises. As financial services organisations strive to meet the expectations set by DORA, focusing on data strategy is paramount. Data not only supports continuity of operations but is also vital for incident response, third-party risk management, and overall operational resilience.
The path forward involves a cultural shift towards openness and continuous improvement, recognising that operational resilience is never a one-and-done task but an ongoing commitment. IBM’s approach integrates deep collaboration across teams, robust data strategies, and a focus on operational resilience that aligns with regulatory expectations while driving business value.





