Continuous Monitoring
An ongoing process of observing, evaluating, and maintaining awareness of information security controls, vulnerabilities, and threats. Continuous monitoring ensures that compliance status is maintained between formal audits and enables rapid detection of control failures.
Continuous monitoring represents the evolution from point-in-time compliance assessments to always-on security and compliance oversight. Instead of checking controls periodically, continuous monitoring systems evaluate control effectiveness in real-time or near-real-time, alerting stakeholders immediately when deviations are detected.
In the context of compliance frameworks, continuous monitoring typically covers technical controls (firewall configurations, access permissions, encryption status), operational controls (policy acknowledgments, training completion, change management), and compliance metrics (control pass rates, risk scores, incident counts).
DORA explicitly requires continuous monitoring as part of ICT risk management. Financial entities must implement detection capabilities for anomalous activities, continuous assessment of ICT system performance, and ongoing monitoring of third-party provider security. This aligns with the broader industry trend toward real-time compliance management.
Related Terms
Audit Readiness
The state of being prepared for a compliance audit at any time, with all necessary documentation, evidence, and controls in place. Continuous audit readiness replaces the traditional 'audit scramble' approach with always-on compliance monitoring and evidence collection.
Evidence Collection
The process of gathering, organizing, and maintaining documentation that demonstrates compliance with specific controls and requirements. Automated evidence collection integrates with IT systems to continuously capture proof of control effectiveness.
ICT Risk Management
The process of identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks associated with information and communication technology systems. Under DORA, financial entities must maintain a comprehensive ICT risk management framework covering identification, protection, detection, response, and recovery.
SIEM (Security Information and Event Management)
A technology platform that collects, analyzes, and correlates security events from across an organization's IT infrastructure to detect threats and support incident response. SIEM is essential for meeting DORA's detection and monitoring requirements.
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