ADGM.SEC
ABU.DHB
GLOBAL
ACTIVE
Abu Dhabi Global Market

ADGM Cybersecurity Compliance & Testing Services

Comprehensive solutions to help ADGM-regulated entities meet cybersecurity, governance, and operational resilience standards.

Consult Cyber Experts

What is ADGM Compliance?

ADGM compliance is a regulatory obligation for all financial, fintech, and service institutions operating in ADGM.

Under the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) regulatory framework, all licensed entities must establish and maintain information security, operational resilience, and governance controls in line with ADGM’s Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) and its Guidance on Technology Governance and Risk Management.

Technology Governance

Ensure your financial infrastructure meets ADGM cybersecurity expectations through formalized risk assessments, governance structures, and incident response mechanisms for digital resilience.

AML & CFT Compliance

Implement anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorist financing (CTF) frameworks that meet FSRA's mandatory guidelines for financial crime prevention and reporting accuracy.

Operational Risk & Governance

Strengthen oversight through effective internal governance, IT audit trails, and business continuity planning aligned with ADGM's Risk Management Rulebook and Cybersecurity Guidelines.

ITSEC ensures your organization aligns with ADGM standards

Our compliance experts deliver comprehensive ADGM readiness — from cybersecurity risk management and AML frameworks to governance documentation, internal audit reviews, and ADGM inspection preparation.

Proven Track Record in ADGM Compliance

Numbers that speak to our expertise and commitment

ADGM Information & Technology Governance: 6 Core Cybersecurity Domains

The ADGM / FSRA framework sets out cybersecurity and regulatory compliance expectations for financial institutions, fintechs, service providers, and regulated firms operating within Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM). These controls drive operational resilience, safeguard client and market data, and ensure audit-ready oversight under FSRA supervision.

ADGM/FSRA guidance aligns with ISO/IEC 27001, the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, UAE PDPL, and FSRA Information & Cyber Security (ICS) Guidance — including Outsourcing, Operational Risk, and Technology Governance expectations.

Governance & Risk Management
Risk appetite, policies, roles, and board reporting that evidence effective technology and cyber governance across the firm.
ITSEC Solution: Regulatory-grade policy suite, RCSA/ORMF mapping, board packs, and assurance planning.
Information Security Management
Control environment covering data protection, secure development, asset management, vendor oversight, and change control.
ITSEC Solution: ISO/IEC 27001-aligned ISMS build-out, control gap analysis, and audit readiness materials.
Cloud & Technology Controls
Security for on-prem and cloud, including encryption, hardening, secure configurations, and outsourcing approvals.
ITSEC Solution: Cloud security baselines, CIS/NIST hardening, supplier due-diligence and exit/contingency testing.
Identity & Access Management
Strong authentication, least-privilege, privileged access governance, and segregation of duties for critical systems.
ITSEC Solution: IAM framework, PAM rollout, access recertification workflow, and SoD control design.
Incident Response & Business Continuity
Documented playbooks, tabletop validation, crisis communications, and recovery aligned to BCP/DR requirements.
ITSEC Solution: FSRA-aligned IR plan, BC/DR testing, 24/7 on-call support, and regulator-ready incident records.
Continuous Monitoring & Regulatory Reporting
Threat detection, vulnerability management, metrics, and evidence packs mapped to FSRA requests and inspections.
ITSEC Solution: Managed detection & response, quarterly assurance reports, and control evidence repositories.

Our ADGM FSRA Compliance Services

ITSEC offers comprehensive compliance with the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) framework, offering expert guidance, risk management strategies, and cybersecurity assurance for financial institutions, FinTech, and regulated entities under the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA).

Traditional Finance

Traditional Financial Institutions

Thorough security evaluations for banks, investment firms, and asset managers

Crypto VASPs

Crypto Asset Service Providers (VASPs)

Tailored security assessments for crypto exchanges, custody services, and DeFi platforms.

Resilience

Operational Resilience Testing

Business continuity, disaster recovery, and crisis management validation

Advisory

FSRA Advisory & Ongoing Support

Continuous compliance support and regulatory guidance

Core banking system security assessment

Wealth management platform security

Mobile & internet banking testing

Trading platform penetration testing

Payment system security validation

Third-party integration security

ITSEC Standard

Hot wallet & cold storage security audits

Exchange platform penetration testing

Blockchain node & RPC security

Smart contract security testing (Solidity, Rust)

MPC wallet implementation review

KYC/AML system security assessment

ITSEC Standard

BCDR plan testing & tabletop exercises

Failover & redundancy validation

Crisis management capability assessment

Ransomware resilience simulation

RTO/RPO achievement testing

Crisis management capability assessment

ITSEC Standard

Virtual CISO & security leadership

FSRA incident notification support

Board reporting & presentations

Technology risk framework development

Policy & procedure documentation

Board reporting and presentations

ITSEC Standard

Why ADGM-Regulated Companies Choose ITSEC.

With over 20 years of cybersecurity expertise, ITSEC is the trusted advisor for firms seeking compliance with ADGM’s Information & Cyber Security (ICS) and Operational Risk frameworks.

Our tailored compliance methodology addresses every cybersecurity and governance requirement outlined by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) — ensuring firms achieve full readiness before regulatory reviews.

UAE-based cybersecurity & compliance experts (FSRA aligned)
Regulatory-grade risk assessment & reporting
Virtual CISO & UAE PDPL data governance
Continuous threat and vulnerability monitoring
Proven record in FSRA and ISO audit success
View FSRA Compliance Map (PDF)
Shield
Compliance-Ready Security Architecture
Our compliance assessments are engineered to meet ADGM / FSRA expectations from day one.
Rulebook-Aligned Testing
Every control maps directly to FSRA cybersecurity and technology governance guidelines.
Rulebook-Aligned Testing
Simulated risk scenarios follow FSRA information security and outsourcing standards.
Rulebook-Aligned Testing
Deliverables are tailored to audit evidence, RMP validation, and operational risk assurance.

ITSEC Services Mapped to ADGM’s Technology Governance Framework

Our cybersecurity and risk management framework aligns with ADGM’s regulatory principles to ensure continuous compliance.

ADGM Compliance Table
ADGM / FSRA Mandate ITSEC Solution Compliance Outcome
Governance & Risk Management (Operational Risk Framework) Establishment of governance structure, board-approved risk policies, and control documentation aligned with FSRA expectations Ensures strong corporate governance and operational risk oversight
Information & Cyber Security (ICS) Guidelines Implementation of FSRA-compliant cybersecurity frameworks including ISO 27001 mapping and threat-led testing Achieves full alignment with FSRA’s Information & Cyber Security Guidelines
Data Protection & PDPL Compliance (UAE Federal Law No. 45 of 2021) Data lifecycle management, encryption controls, and privacy impact assessments for ADGM-regulated entities Protects client confidentiality and fulfills national PDPL obligations
Outsourcing & Third-Party Risk (Operational Risk Rulebook) Vendor due diligence, SLA reviews, and ongoing compliance monitoring for outsourced service providers Maintains compliance and accountability across all third-party engagements
Technology Governance & Resilience (FSRA Guidelines) Design and validation of BCP/DR programs, vulnerability management, and resilience testing procedures Strengthens technology resilience and ensures business continuity
Financial Crime & AML Controls (AML Rulebook) Deployment of AML/CFT monitoring systems, transaction screening, and compliance awareness training Ensures full AML/CFT readiness under FSRA and FATF compliance standards

Track Your ADGM Compliance Journey

Real-time visibility into your governance, risk, and cybersecurity posture.

Operational Resilience
Technology & Cybersecurity
Third-Party & Outsourcing
Governance & Oversight
Business Continuity & Recovery Testing

Simulate financial service disruptions to validate response and recovery capabilities in line with CIR and GEN rules.

Scenario-Based Stress Testing

Conduct impact assessments and cross-functional resilience testing across people, processes, and technology.

Incident Management Framework

Implement FSRA -compliant escalation, communication, and reporting workflows within defined recovery objectives.

Cyber Risk Governance

Identify and mitigate technology risks using DFSA’s Technology Risk Management principles.

Threat Detection & Response

Deploy advanced monitoring systems and Security Operations Center processes for real-time DFSA-compliant surveillance.

Security Monitoring & Response

Deploy continuous threat detection, response automation, and log management through an FSRA-compliant SOC environment.

Vendor Due Diligence

Assess supplier security posture, data protection measures, and service-level compliance prior to engagement.

Ongoing Oversight

Implement performance tracking and compliance monitoring for all material outsourcing relationships.

Data Sovereignty & SLA Verification

24/7 security operations center setup and threat monitoring.

Red Team / TLPT Testing

Simulated attacks on trading systems, hot wallets, and API endpoints.

Wallet Security Assessment

Hot/cold wallet architecture review and custody control validation.

SOC Integration

24/7 security operations center setup and threat monitoring.

Your Path to ADGM Compliance

A proven 5-step process that takes you from cybersecurity assessment to full FSRA regulatory compliance.

Day 1
Initial Consultation
Define your ADGM license scope, review current cybersecurity and governance posture, and align project timelines.
Key Deliverables:
Regulatory scope & entity classification ●
Initial risk and gap assessment ●
Compliance timeline and action plan ●
Day 2-3
Documentation Review
Assess internal policies, procedures, and technical controls against FSRA requirements and ADGM Data Protection Regulations 2021.
Key Deliverables:
● Compliance gap report with priorities
● Updated policy alignment matrix
● Remediation roadmap for FSRA audit
Week 1 – 2
Security & Resilience Testing
Perform technical testing and operational resilience reviews to validate security controls and incident response capabilities.
Key Deliverables:
Vulnerability and resilience reports ●
Incident response test summary ●
Outsourcing risk review findings ●
Week 3
Remediation & Documentation
Implement required fixes, update evidence records, and finalize governance documentation for regulatory submission.
Key Deliverables:
● Revised policies & procedures
● Data protection evidence set
● Audit-ready compliance report
Quarterly
Ongoing Compliance
Ensure continuous adherence to ADGM rules through monitoring, training, and periodic assessments.
Key Deliverables:
Quarterly audit & scan reports ●
Compliance dashboard updates ●
Annual independent review ●

Trusted by DFSA-Licensed Leaders

Join dozens of exchanges, broker-dealers, and issuers who achieved compliance with ITSEC

"The Virtual CISO service exceeded expectations. ITSEC understood VARA requirements better than firms charging 3x their rate."

M

Michael Chen
Chief Technology Officer
"Passed VARA inspection with zero findings. ITSEC's cryptographic key governance framework is exactly what regulators wanted to see."

M

Ahmed Hassan
Head of Security
"Professional, thorough, and regulator-grade documentation. ITSEC's incident response planning was comprehensive and practical."

M

Elena Rodriguez
VP Operations
98%
Client Satisfaction
45+
VASPs Compliant
100%
Inspection Pass Rate

ADGM Compliance Case Study: Strengthening Cyber & Regulatory Resilience

The Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) framework establishes comprehensive cybersecurity and regulatory governance standards for financial institutions, virtual asset firms, and technology providers under the supervision of the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA).

100%
Compliance Achievement
The Challenge
A digital investment firm licensed under ADGM needed to prepare for its first full FSRA inspection. The firm faced fragmented documentation, limited operational resilience testing, and insufficient technical evidence to meet ADGM’s ICT, AML, and Governance requirements.
Establishment of a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) process aligned with ADGM DPR 2021. Implementation of Business Continuity (BCP) and Operational Resilience testing.

Design of a Virtual CISO oversight framework for continuous monitoring and reporting.
Through this integrated approach, ITSEC ensured the client achieved zero non-conformities during inspection and strengthened long-term regulatory resilience.
Key Deliverables:
☑ Governance & Risk Assessment Framework
☑ Cyber Resilience & Incident Response Plan
☑ Outsourcing & Third-Party Risk Review
☑ Technology Risk Assessment Report
☑ DFSA Control Mapping & Audit Readiness-Compliant Documentation Package
☑ Continuous Monitoring and Compliance Dashboard
The Solution
ITSEC conducted a 4-phase compliance readiness program covering policy enhancement, system hardening, and regulatory documentation. The engagement included:
4
Weeks to Compliance
0
Inspection Findings

Frequently Asked Questions

What entities must comply with ADGM FSRA cybersecurity requirements?
All ADGM-regulated entities including banks, investment firms, asset managers, insurance companies, and crypto asset service providers (VASPs) must meet FSRA technology risk and cybersecurity requirements.
What are the specific requirements for crypto VASPs in ADGM?
ADGM VASPs must demonstrate secure custody solutions (hot/cold wallets, MPC), smart contract security audits, AML/CFT compliance, exchange platform security, and blockchain infrastructure security. ADGM is one of the most crypto-friendly jurisdictions with clear regulatory guidance.
How often is security testing required?
FSRA expects annual independent penetration testing for all material systems. High-risk entities (exchanges, large banks) should conduct more frequent testing, typically semi-annually or quarterly.
Does ADGM accept international security certifications?
Yes, FSRA recognizes ISO 27001, SOC 2, PCI DSS, and similar international standards as evidence of robust security practices. Many ADGM entities pursue these certifications.
What is the incident reporting timeline to FSRA?
Material cybersecurity incidents must be reported to FSRA promptly upon discovery. Critical incidents impacting operations or customer data require immediate notification.
How does ADGM compliance differ from VARA (Dubai)?
ADGM FSRA covers broader financial services (banking, investment, insurance) plus crypto, while VARA focuses exclusively on virtual assets. ADGM requirements align closely with international standards, while VARA has UAE-specific crypto regulations.
ITSEC - Security Assessment
World Map

Ready to Secure Your Digital Assets?

Get a comprehensive security assessment from our expert team. Protecting businesses since 2011.

Consult Cyber Experts
NDA Protected
24hr Response
Global Coverage
×
ITSEC AI Security Agent
Secure
Encrypted
Online
Welcome to ITSEC — the UAE's first AI-augmented cybersecurity firm.

With 15+ years of excellence and 50+ certified experts, we protect enterprises across finance, government, and crypto sectors.

How can I secure your organization today?
Powered by ITSEC Security Solutions • ISO 27001 Certified