Financial Services Technology panel: Operational Resilience Workshop
17th February 2026 from 5:00pm — 7:30pm • Information Technologists' Hall
Join the Financial Services Technology panel on the 17th February for a in person meeting at the IT Hall, where all of those attending will be updated the work that has been carried out by the WCIT on OpRES, following which there will be a briefing on each workstream challenge.
The workstreams will be given supporting documentation (e.g. Competency Framework, WCIT Whitepaper, Requirements for SMF24) that is relevant to their specific challenge. When the workstreams have completed their task, each one will then present back on their findings, with the workshop finishing with agreement on next steps.
Open to all Members, and those who are members of WCIT Panels
More information
WCIT met recently with the Bank of England (BoE) Recovery, Resolution & Resilience Prudential Policy Directorate, and discussed output from the WCIT Whitepaper titled “Operational Resilience (OpRES) Report on the Status of Financial Services in the Delivery of Regulatory Compliance”. From our discussions several areas related to those identified in the OpRES Whitepaper were of common interest between the BoE and WCIT, they are:
• Building & Mapping Knowledge – BoE interested in reviewing an OpRES Competence Framework that aims to meet the knowledge requirements for those professional involved in delivery of BoE OpRES Policy & Guidelines, on behalf of sector organisations;
• Principles v’s Prescription – as the BoE policy approach is outcome driven, they acknowledge that more needs to be done to support the Micro/SME’s in staying resilient, given their lack of capabilities and resources;
• Board Accountability – from a BoE standpoint, their position is that the SMF24 regime is responsible for OpRES requirements, aiming to support Board Members in staying informed and vigilant for delivery of the organisations OpRES Self-Assessment;
It was subsequently agree that the WCIT OpRES Steering Group should set-up a workshop of like-minded professionals to consider the wider views of those OpRES areas of common interest that are being experienced by practitioners and leadership.
This workshop will therefore separate attendees into 3 workstreams, each to consider one of the following challenges:
1. What are the potential knowledge challenges being experienced by OpRES professionals who are tasked with delivering Regulatory Frameworks for UK & EU Financial Services Firms and Entities?
2. What are the challenges for UK Financial Services Micro/SME’s in meeting OpRES regulatory guidelines that have been laid down within the UK & EU Financial Services regulated environment?
3. What are the potential challenges between the Financial Services SMF24 regime in keeping Board Members involved in UK Self-Assessment & EU Compliance (BoE Operational Resilience Policy and EU Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA)), as well as keeping them updated on National Regulations (e.g. UK Cyber Security & Resilience Bill and EU Cyber Resilience Act)?