Meridian Cyber
London · Dubai
/ Lead Resource — 2026 Edition

The DFSA & FSRA Cyber Readiness Checklist.

A 38-point self-assessment for DIFC and ADGM authorised firms. Identify the gaps before your examiner does.

Two cyber rule sets now bind every financial firm in the UAE's financial free zones.

DFSA Cyber Risk Management Rules (GEN 5.5) took effect 1 January 2024 and apply to every DIFC-authorised firm, registered auditor, credit rating agency and authorised market institution.

FSRA Cyber Risk Management Rules (GEN 3.5) took effect 31 January 2026 and apply to every ADGM Authorised Person and Recognised Body.

Both regulators expect a documented framework, named senior accountability, board-level oversight, incident response readiness, third-party cyber risk management, and rapid notification of material incidents — within 24 hours under FSRA GEN 3.5.18, and "without undue delay" under DFSA GEN 5.5.17.

What you get

  • 38-point self-assessment across 8 control domains
  • Red / amber / green scoring system you can complete in 90 minutes
  • Score interpretation guide — what each band means and what to do next
  • Written for compliance officers and senior management, not just IT
  • Branded 6-page PDF, instant email delivery
If you score green on fewer than 30 of the 38 items, you are not in a defensible position for a thematic review or a live incident. Most firms self-assess at 20–25 green on first pass.

Used by DIFC and ADGM compliance officers, MLROs, SEOs, and operations leads ahead of licence renewal, thematic review preparation, and board governance refresh.

PDF · 6 pages · instant download

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