Source: OJ L, 2025/1190, 18.6.2025
EN- Digital operational resilience in the financial sector
Digital operational resilience testing
- RTS on threat-led penetration testing
Article 9 Preparation phase
A financial entity identified pursuant to Article 26, paragraph 8, third subparagraph of Regulation (EU) 2022/2554 shall initiate a TLPT(threat-led penetration testing) a framework that mimics the tactics, techniques and procedures of real-life threat actors perceived as posing a genuine cyber threat, that delivers a controlled, bespoke, intelligence-led (red team) test of the financial entity’s critical live production systems following a notification from the TLPT(threat-led penetration testing) a framework that mimics the tactics, techniques and procedures of real-life threat actors perceived as posing a genuine cyber threat, that delivers a controlled, bespoke, intelligence-led (red team) test of the financial entity’s critical live production systems authority that a TLPT(threat-led penetration testing) a framework that mimics the tactics, techniques and procedures of real-life threat actors perceived as posing a genuine cyber threat, that delivers a controlled, bespoke, intelligence-led (red team) test of the financial entity’s critical live production systems is to be carried out.
A financial entity shall, within 3 months from having received the notification referred to in paragraph 1, submit to the test managers means staff designated to lead the activities of the TLPT authority for a specific TLPT to monitor compliance with this Regulation; all of the following TLPT(threat-led penetration testing) a framework that mimics the tactics, techniques and procedures of real-life threat actors perceived as posing a genuine cyber threat, that delivers a controlled, bespoke, intelligence-led (red team) test of the financial entity’s critical live production systems initiation information:
a project charter including a high-level project plan, containing the information set out in Annex I;
the contact details of the control team lead means the staff member of the financial entity responsible for the conduct of all TLPT-related activities for the financial entity in the context of a given test;;
information on the intended use of internal or external testers or both, where relevant as detailed in Article 15;
information on the communication channels to be used during the TLPT(threat-led penetration testing) a framework that mimics the tactics, techniques and procedures of real-life threat actors perceived as posing a genuine cyber threat, that delivers a controlled, bespoke, intelligence-led (red team) test of the financial entity’s critical live production systems;
the code name for the TLPT(threat-led penetration testing) a framework that mimics the tactics, techniques and procedures of real-life threat actors perceived as posing a genuine cyber threat, that delivers a controlled, bespoke, intelligence-led (red team) test of the financial entity’s critical live production systems.
Where the information referred to in paragraph 2, points (a) to (e), is complete and ensures the suitability and effective performance of the TLPT(threat-led penetration testing) a framework that mimics the tactics, techniques and procedures of real-life threat actors perceived as posing a genuine cyber threat, that delivers a controlled, bespoke, intelligence-led (red team) test of the financial entity’s critical live production systems, the TLPT(threat-led penetration testing) a framework that mimics the tactics, techniques and procedures of real-life threat actors perceived as posing a genuine cyber threat, that delivers a controlled, bespoke, intelligence-led (red team) test of the financial entity’s critical live production systems authority shall validate the TLPT(threat-led penetration testing) a framework that mimics the tactics, techniques and procedures of real-life threat actors perceived as posing a genuine cyber threat, that delivers a controlled, bespoke, intelligence-led (red team) test of the financial entity’s critical live production systems initiation information of the financial entity and notify the financial entity thereof.
Following the validation of the TLPT(threat-led penetration testing) a framework that mimics the tactics, techniques and procedures of real-life threat actors perceived as posing a genuine cyber threat, that delivers a controlled, bespoke, intelligence-led (red team) test of the financial entity’s critical live production systems initiation information by the TLPT(threat-led penetration testing) a framework that mimics the tactics, techniques and procedures of real-life threat actors perceived as posing a genuine cyber threat, that delivers a controlled, bespoke, intelligence-led (red team) test of the financial entity’s critical live production systems authority, the financial entity shall set up a control team means the team composed of staff of the tested financial entity and, where relevant in consideration of the scope of the TLPT, staff of its third-party service providers and any other party, who manages the test; to support the control team lead means the staff member of the financial entity responsible for the conduct of all TLPT-related activities for the financial entity in the context of a given test; in its tasks of:
specifying communications channels and processes within the control team means the team composed of staff of the tested financial entity and, where relevant in consideration of the scope of the TLPT, staff of its third-party service providers and any other party, who manages the test;, with the testers and the threat intelligence means information that has been aggregated, transformed, analysed, interpreted or enriched to provide the necessary context for decision-making and to enable relevant and sufficient understanding in order to mitigate the impact of an ICT-related incident or of a cyber threat, including the technical details of a cyber-attack, those responsible for the attack and their modus operandi and motivations; providers in all matters related to the TLPT(threat-led penetration testing) a framework that mimics the tactics, techniques and procedures of real-life threat actors perceived as posing a genuine cyber threat, that delivers a controlled, bespoke, intelligence-led (red team) test of the financial entity’s critical live production systems;
informing the management body means a management body as defined in Article 4(1), point (36), of Directive 2014/65/EU, Article 3(1), point (7), of Directive 2013/36/EU, Article 2(1), point (s), of Directive 2009/65/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council(^31^), Article 2(1), point (45), of Regulation (EU) No 909/2014, Article 3(1), point (20), of Regulation (EU) 2016/1011, and in the relevant provision of the Regulation on markets in crypto-assets, or the equivalent persons who effectively run the entity or have key functions in accordance with relevant Union or national law; Directive 2009/65/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 July 2009 on the coordination of laws, regulations and administrative provisions relating to undertakings for collective investment in transferable securities (UCITS) (OJ L 302, 17.11.2009, p. 32). of the financial entity about the progress of the TLPT(threat-led penetration testing) a framework that mimics the tactics, techniques and procedures of real-life threat actors perceived as posing a genuine cyber threat, that delivers a controlled, bespoke, intelligence-led (red team) test of the financial entity’s critical live production systems and the associated risks;
taking decisions based on subject matter expertise throughout the TLPT(threat-led penetration testing) a framework that mimics the tactics, techniques and procedures of real-life threat actors perceived as posing a genuine cyber threat, that delivers a controlled, bespoke, intelligence-led (red team) test of the financial entity’s critical live production systems;
executing the TLPT(threat-led penetration testing) a framework that mimics the tactics, techniques and procedures of real-life threat actors perceived as posing a genuine cyber threat, that delivers a controlled, bespoke, intelligence-led (red team) test of the financial entity’s critical live production systems in compliance with this Regulation;
selecting the threat intelligence means information that has been aggregated, transformed, analysed, interpreted or enriched to provide the necessary context for decision-making and to enable relevant and sufficient understanding in order to mitigate the impact of an ICT-related incident or of a cyber threat, including the technical details of a cyber-attack, those responsible for the attack and their modus operandi and motivations; provider for the TLPT(threat-led penetration testing) a framework that mimics the tactics, techniques and procedures of real-life threat actors perceived as posing a genuine cyber threat, that delivers a controlled, bespoke, intelligence-led (red team) test of the financial entity’s critical live production systems;
selecting the external testers, the internal testers or both;
preparing the scope specification document.
Where the TLPT(threat-led penetration testing) a framework that mimics the tactics, techniques and procedures of real-life threat actors perceived as posing a genuine cyber threat, that delivers a controlled, bespoke, intelligence-led (red team) test of the financial entity’s critical live production systems authority considers that the initial composition of the control team means the team composed of staff of the tested financial entity and, where relevant in consideration of the scope of the TLPT, staff of its third-party service providers and any other party, who manages the test; and any subsequent changes to it are adequate for the performance of the tasks referred to in paragraph 4, the TLPT(threat-led penetration testing) a framework that mimics the tactics, techniques and procedures of real-life threat actors perceived as posing a genuine cyber threat, that delivers a controlled, bespoke, intelligence-led (red team) test of the financial entity’s critical live production systems authority shall validate the control team means the team composed of staff of the tested financial entity and, where relevant in consideration of the scope of the TLPT, staff of its third-party service providers and any other party, who manages the test; and notify the control team lead means the staff member of the financial entity responsible for the conduct of all TLPT-related activities for the financial entity in the context of a given test; thereof.
The financial entity shall submit a scope specification document containing all information set out in Annex II to the test managers means staff designated to lead the activities of the TLPT authority for a specific TLPT to monitor compliance with this Regulation; within 6 months from the receipt of the notification from the TLPT(threat-led penetration testing) a framework that mimics the tactics, techniques and procedures of real-life threat actors perceived as posing a genuine cyber threat, that delivers a controlled, bespoke, intelligence-led (red team) test of the financial entity’s critical live production systems authority referred to in paragraph 1. The management body means a management body as defined in Article 4(1), point (36), of Directive 2014/65/EU, Article 3(1), point (7), of Directive 2013/36/EU, Article 2(1), point (s), of Directive 2009/65/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council(^31^), Article 2(1), point (45), of Regulation (EU) No 909/2014, Article 3(1), point (20), of Regulation (EU) 2016/1011, and in the relevant provision of the Regulation on markets in crypto-assets, or the equivalent persons who effectively run the entity or have key functions in accordance with relevant Union or national law; Directive 2009/65/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 July 2009 on the coordination of laws, regulations and administrative provisions relating to undertakings for collective investment in transferable securities (UCITS) (OJ L 302, 17.11.2009, p. 32). of the financial entity shall approve the scope specification document.
Financial entitiesas defined in Article 2, points (a) to (t) shall consider the following criteria for the inclusion of critical or important functions means a function, the disruption of which would materially impair the financial performance of a financial entity, or the soundness or continuity of its services and activities, or the discontinued, defective or failed performance of that function would materially impair the continuing compliance of a financial entity with the conditions and obligations of its authorisation, or with its other obligations under applicable financial services law; into the scope of the TLPT(threat-led penetration testing) a framework that mimics the tactics, techniques and procedures of real-life threat actors perceived as posing a genuine cyber threat, that delivers a controlled, bespoke, intelligence-led (red team) test of the financial entity’s critical live production systems:
the criticality or importance of the function and its possible impact on the financial sector and on financial stability at Union and national level;
the importance of the function for the day-to-day business operations of the financial entity;
the exchangeability of the function;
the interconnectedness with other functions;
the geographical location of the function;
the sectoral dependence of other entities on the function;
where available, threat intelligence means information that has been aggregated, transformed, analysed, interpreted or enriched to provide the necessary context for decision-making and to enable relevant and sufficient understanding in order to mitigate the impact of an ICT-related incident or of a cyber threat, including the technical details of a cyber-attack, those responsible for the attack and their modus operandi and motivations; concerning the function.
The control team means the team composed of staff of the tested financial entity and, where relevant in consideration of the scope of the TLPT, staff of its third-party service providers and any other party, who manages the test; shall share the TLPT(threat-led penetration testing) a framework that mimics the tactics, techniques and procedures of real-life threat actors perceived as posing a genuine cyber threat, that delivers a controlled, bespoke, intelligence-led (red team) test of the financial entity’s critical live production systems initiation information and the scope specification document with the testers and threat intelligence means information that has been aggregated, transformed, analysed, interpreted or enriched to provide the necessary context for decision-making and to enable relevant and sufficient understanding in order to mitigate the impact of an ICT-related incident or of a cyber threat, including the technical details of a cyber-attack, those responsible for the attack and their modus operandi and motivations; providers once those are contracted. The control team means the team composed of staff of the tested financial entity and, where relevant in consideration of the scope of the TLPT, staff of its third-party service providers and any other party, who manages the test; shall inform the testers and threat intelligence means information that has been aggregated, transformed, analysed, interpreted or enriched to provide the necessary context for decision-making and to enable relevant and sufficient understanding in order to mitigate the impact of an ICT-related incident or of a cyber threat, including the technical details of a cyber-attack, those responsible for the attack and their modus operandi and motivations; providers about the testing process to be followed.
The financial entity shall ensure that the procurement or assignment of testers and threat intelligence means information that has been aggregated, transformed, analysed, interpreted or enriched to provide the necessary context for decision-making and to enable relevant and sufficient understanding in order to mitigate the impact of an ICT-related incident or of a cyber threat, including the technical details of a cyber-attack, those responsible for the attack and their modus operandi and motivations; providers is completed prior to the initiation of the testing phase.
Prior to the initiation of the testing phase, the control team means the team composed of staff of the tested financial entity and, where relevant in consideration of the scope of the TLPT, staff of its third-party service providers and any other party, who manages the test; shall consult the test managers means staff designated to lead the activities of the TLPT authority for a specific TLPT to monitor compliance with this Regulation; on the TLPT(threat-led penetration testing) a framework that mimics the tactics, techniques and procedures of real-life threat actors perceived as posing a genuine cyber threat, that delivers a controlled, bespoke, intelligence-led (red team) test of the financial entity’s critical live production systems risk assessment and on the risk management measures. The control team means the team composed of staff of the tested financial entity and, where relevant in consideration of the scope of the TLPT, staff of its third-party service providers and any other party, who manages the test; shall review the risk assessment or the risk management measures where the TLPT(threat-led penetration testing) a framework that mimics the tactics, techniques and procedures of real-life threat actors perceived as posing a genuine cyber threat, that delivers a controlled, bespoke, intelligence-led (red team) test of the financial entity’s critical live production systems authority is of the opinion that they do not adequately address the risks of the TLPT(threat-led penetration testing) a framework that mimics the tactics, techniques and procedures of real-life threat actors perceived as posing a genuine cyber threat, that delivers a controlled, bespoke, intelligence-led (red team) test of the financial entity’s critical live production systems.
The control team means the team composed of staff of the tested financial entity and, where relevant in consideration of the scope of the TLPT, staff of its third-party service providers and any other party, who manages the test; shall assess the compliance of threat intelligence means information that has been aggregated, transformed, analysed, interpreted or enriched to provide the necessary context for decision-making and to enable relevant and sufficient understanding in order to mitigate the impact of an ICT-related incident or of a cyber threat, including the technical details of a cyber-attack, those responsible for the attack and their modus operandi and motivations; providers and testers they consider involving in the TLPT(threat-led penetration testing) a framework that mimics the tactics, techniques and procedures of real-life threat actors perceived as posing a genuine cyber threat, that delivers a controlled, bespoke, intelligence-led (red team) test of the financial entity’s critical live production systems with the requirements laid down in Article 27 of Regulation (EU) 2022/2554 and with Article 7(1) of this Regulation, and document the outcome of that assessment. The control team means the team composed of staff of the tested financial entity and, where relevant in consideration of the scope of the TLPT, staff of its third-party service providers and any other party, who manages the test; shall select threat intelligence means information that has been aggregated, transformed, analysed, interpreted or enriched to provide the necessary context for decision-making and to enable relevant and sufficient understanding in order to mitigate the impact of an ICT-related incident or of a cyber threat, including the technical details of a cyber-attack, those responsible for the attack and their modus operandi and motivations; providers in accordance with that assessment and with its risk management practices. Prior to contracting the selected threat intelligence means information that has been aggregated, transformed, analysed, interpreted or enriched to provide the necessary context for decision-making and to enable relevant and sufficient understanding in order to mitigate the impact of an ICT-related incident or of a cyber threat, including the technical details of a cyber-attack, those responsible for the attack and their modus operandi and motivations; providers and external testers, the control team means the team composed of staff of the tested financial entity and, where relevant in consideration of the scope of the TLPT, staff of its third-party service providers and any other party, who manages the test; shall provide to the test managers means staff designated to lead the activities of the TLPT authority for a specific TLPT to monitor compliance with this Regulation; evidence of compliance of those threat intelligence means information that has been aggregated, transformed, analysed, interpreted or enriched to provide the necessary context for decision-making and to enable relevant and sufficient understanding in order to mitigate the impact of an ICT-related incident or of a cyber threat, including the technical details of a cyber-attack, those responsible for the attack and their modus operandi and motivations; providers and testers with the requirements laid down in Article 27 of Regulation (EU) 2022/2554 and with Article 7(1) of this Regulation. The control team means the team composed of staff of the tested financial entity and, where relevant in consideration of the scope of the TLPT, staff of its third-party service providers and any other party, who manages the test; shall not proceed with contracting the selected threat intelligence means information that has been aggregated, transformed, analysed, interpreted or enriched to provide the necessary context for decision-making and to enable relevant and sufficient understanding in order to mitigate the impact of an ICT-related incident or of a cyber threat, including the technical details of a cyber-attack, those responsible for the attack and their modus operandi and motivations; providers and external testers where the TLPT(threat-led penetration testing) a framework that mimics the tactics, techniques and procedures of real-life threat actors perceived as posing a genuine cyber threat, that delivers a controlled, bespoke, intelligence-led (red team) test of the financial entity’s critical live production systems authority is of the opinion that the selected threat intelligence means information that has been aggregated, transformed, analysed, interpreted or enriched to provide the necessary context for decision-making and to enable relevant and sufficient understanding in order to mitigate the impact of an ICT-related incident or of a cyber threat, including the technical details of a cyber-attack, those responsible for the attack and their modus operandi and motivations; providers and external testers do not comply with the requirements laid down in Article 27 of Regulation (EU) 2022/2554, or with the requirements laid down in Article 7(1) of this Regulation or with additional requirements stemming from national security legislations in accordance with Union law, or where the financial entity does not comply with Article 7(2), first subparagraph, of this Regulation, or where the circumstances referred to in Article 7(2), second subparagraph, of this Regulation are not met.
Where the scope specification document is complete and ensures the performance of an appropriate and effective TLPT(threat-led penetration testing) a framework that mimics the tactics, techniques and procedures of real-life threat actors perceived as posing a genuine cyber threat, that delivers a controlled, bespoke, intelligence-led (red team) test of the financial entity’s critical live production systems, the TLPT(threat-led penetration testing) a framework that mimics the tactics, techniques and procedures of real-life threat actors perceived as posing a genuine cyber threat, that delivers a controlled, bespoke, intelligence-led (red team) test of the financial entity’s critical live production systems authority shall approve that document and inform the control team lead means the staff member of the financial entity responsible for the conduct of all TLPT-related activities for the financial entity in the context of a given test; thereof.
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