A sound, comprehensive and well-documented ICT risk management framework is in place. Which as goal to address all ICT risks properly and ensure a high level of digital resilience. The reponsibility for risk management is properly assigned to a control function. 

The ICT risk management framework shall be documented and reviewed at least annually, or periodically for microenterprises, with immediate reviews triggered by major ICT-related incidents or supervisory feedback. Continuous improvement will be ensured by incorporating lessons learned from implementation, monitoring, and audits. The report of the review will be prepared according to the requirements as stated in chapter 5 (Article 27) of the RTS RM and will be made available for submission to the competent authority upon request. 

Assess new standards and relevant technology developments in the field of information security, cybersecurity and resilience on a continuous basis and make proposals on how they can strengthen the information security and cybersecurity control measures of the institution.

The effectiveness of the risk management framework is monitored based on the risk exposure over time to critical or important business functions. Implement a reviewing and auditing process, with a minimum yearly review of the framework, triggered by major ICT incidents, regulator instructions, or major audit findings. 

The tasks of verifying compliance with ICT risk management requirements may be outsourced to intra-group or external undertakings. In case of such outsourcing, the financial entity remains fully responsible for the verification of compliance with the ICT risk management requirements.

Maintain a comprehensive third-party risk management program which includes:

• A register of information related to the use of thirdparty service providers, especially those supporting critical or important functions (see also control 17.3).
• Put in place a policy on the management of ICT third-parties, including the criteria for determining the criticality of service providers and the internal responsibilities for managing third-parties.
• Ensuring that senior management reviews the policy and designate a member to monitor relations with the third-parties and the contractual arrangements.
• A (holistic) multi-vendor strategy, if deemed relevant,  showing key dependencies on ICT third-party service providers and explaining the rationale behind the procurement mix of ICT third-party service providers.  

Ensure that the activation of backup systems will not jeopardize the security of ICT systems or the availability, authenticity, integrity or confidentiality of data. For example through the execution of periodic restore tests based on the backup, restoration, and recovery procedures. 

Ensure that when restoring backup data using self-managed systems, that systems are used that are both physically and logically segregated from the source system to ensure protection. Furthermore, the backup systems shall be securely protected from any unauthorized access or IT corruption and allow for timely restoration. Institutions must validate that the highest level of data integrity is maintained when restoring backups.

Additionally for central counterparties: the recovery plans shall enable the recovery of all transactions at the time of disruption to allow the central counterparty to continue to operate with certainty and to complete settlement on the scheduled date.

Additionally for data reporting service providers*: the providers shall additionally maintain adequate resources and have back-up and restoration facilities in place in order to offer and maintain their services at all times.

*For definition of DRSP see: https://www.esma.europa.eu/esmas-activities/markets-and-infrastructure/data-reporting-services-providers 

Implement policies and procedures to protect all information, ICT assets, and relevant physical ICT components and infrastructures. At least the following policies shall be established and maintained.

• Security policy
• Human resources policy
• Encryption and cryptographic control policy
• Identity and access management (IAM) policy
• Change management policy
• Network security policy
• ICT operating policies and procedures
• (Crisis) Communication policy
• Vulnerability and patch management policy
• Back up policy
• Project management policy
• Physical and environmental security policy
• Business continuity policy with response and recovery plans (including testing plans), see control1.4 *
• ICT third-party service providers management policy, see control 1.1. *
• Operations of ICT assets (ensuring network security, protect against intrusions and data misuse and defining how the entity operates, monitors, controls, and restores ICT assets, including the documentation of ICT operations).

* must be approved by the Management body