ISO22301CERTIFICATION.COM
Europe / Country guide
Financial services, technology and international outsourcing make operational continuity relevant to local and cross-border service delivery.
Secure Bridge connects you with independent providers. The appointed certification body conducts the audit and makes the certification decision.
Tell us about your organization and we will connect you with an independent certification body.
01 / Local context & requirements
For an Irish entity within an international group, define which services it controls and which it obtains from group companies or external suppliers. A group policy alone does not establish evidence that the Irish operation can maintain its priority activities. Customer requirements and applicable EU obligations need separate mapping.
DORA has applied since January 17, 2025 to in-scope financial entities. ISO 22301 can inform continuity practices, but certification is not equivalent to DORA compliance.
Applicability depends on the entity and activities. A continuity obligation is not automatically an ISO certification mandate, and certification does not by itself establish regulatory compliance.
Assess DORA applicability and its requirements separately from the ISO audit. Identify ICT services, third parties and continuity arrangements relevant to the entity’s operations.
Map cross-border infrastructure, regional support teams and customer communications. Determine what local decision-makers can do if a shared group platform is unavailable.
Consider utilities, materials, specialist facilities, information and qualified personnel. BCMS arrangements complement product, quality and sector obligations.
Illustrative exercise / not a client case study
A hypothetical Irish entity loses access to a group-provided ICT service. Its response team should be able to explain the service impact, available workarounds, escalation routes and customer communication responsibilities. An exercise can reveal whether the entity relies on assumptions about group recovery that have never been tested.
02 / Cities & operating locations
Clarify the relationship between entity-level responsibilities, group services and outsourced platforms in the proposed scope.
For operational or specialist sites, identify equipment, staffing and supply dependencies that may not be transferable to another office.
These locations help frame a scope discussion. They do not represent Secure Bridge offices or confirmed auditor locations. Mention your actual facilities, remote teams and overseas dependencies in the inquiry.
03 / ISO 22301 certification process
01
Identify the legal entity, activities, sites, people and applicable certificate acceptance requirements.
02
The body reviews documented arrangements and readiness for the implementation assessment.
03
Auditors assess implementation. The body separately reviews the outcome and decides certification.
04
Maintain the BCMS, complete scheduled surveillance and plan recertification within the three-year cycle.
The first surveillance is within 12 months of the initial certification decision. The certification body sets the audit program; certification can be suspended or withdrawn before expiry.
04 / Audit duration & cost
Request a scope-based quotation. Audit effort depends on activities, workforce, shifts, complexity, sites and the audit methods the body considers appropriate. A city name alone does not determine the price.
For a proposal in EUR, ask the provider to confirm the billing currency, applicable taxes, travel and expenses. Include Stage 1, Stage 2, surveillance and recertification when comparing the total three-year program. Any Secure Bridge service or referral arrangement should be clear in writing.
Preparation time and auditor-days are different. The body can estimate audit effort after reviewing your application; the time needed to implement and exercise your BCMS depends on your starting point.
Ask for its legal name, relevant accreditation scope, proposed certificate scope and verification route. Confirm your customer’s acceptance conditions before committing.
UAF or IAS references must be supported by the actual body’s current scope.
05 / Country questions
No. DORA applies to specified financial entities and has its own detailed obligations. ISO 22301 may support continuity practices, but a certificate is not a DORA compliance determination.
Check whether that subsidiary’s entity, locations and relevant activities are actually covered. Being part of a corporate group does not automatically place every operation within a certificate’s scope.
Prepare your legal entity, business activities, workforce, shifts and locations. Include your customer or tender requirements, intended scope and timing. The body reviews the formal application and determines the audit program.
Match the legal entity, standard, scope, sites, dates and current status with the issuing body’s record. Check the accreditation scope and use IAF CertSearch where applicable. Resolve missing or conflicting information directly with the issuer.
Share your scope, sites and timing — we will connect you with an independent certification body.
More country guides
NZ / Oceania
Geographic dependencies. Essential services. Practical alternatives.
Read the New Zealand guide ↗
ZA / Africa
Operational resources. Financial resilience. Service continuity.
Read the South Africa guide ↗
AE / Middle East
International operations. Local obligations. Clear certification scope.
Read the United Arab Emirates guide ↗
Country content reviewed October 23, 2026. Standard reference: ISO 22301:2019. Browse all country guides.
ISO22301CERTIFICATION.COM