RTS on threat-led penetration testing

Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/1190

of 13 February 2025

supplementing Regulation (EU) 2022/2554 of the European Parliament and of the Council

with regard to regulatory technical standards specifying the criteria used for identifying financial entities required to perform threat-led penetration testing, the requirements and standards governing the use of internal testers, the requirements in relation to the scope, testing methodology and approach for each phase of the testing, results, closure and remediation stages and the type of supervisory and other relevant cooperation needed for the implementation of TLPT and for the facilitation of mutual recognition

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

Having regard to Regulation (EU) 2022/2554 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 December 2022 on digital operational resilience means the ability of a financial entity to build, assure and review its operational integrity and reliability by ensuring, either directly or indirectly through the use of services provided by ICT third-party service providers, the full range of ICT-related capabilities needed to address the security of the network and information systems which a financial entity uses, and which support the continued provision of financial services and their quality, including throughout disruptions; for the financial sector and amending Regulations (EC) No 1060/2009, (EU) No 648/2012, (EU) No 600/2014, (EU) No 909/2014 and (EU) 2016/1011(1)OJ L 333, 27.12.2022, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2022/2554/oj., and in particular Article 26(11), fourth subparagraph thereof,

Whereas:

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Recital 1 Relation to the TIBER-EU framework

This Regulation has been drafted in accordance with the TIBER-EU framework and mirrors the methodology, process and structure of threat-led penetration testinga framework that mimics the tactics, techniques and procedures of real-life threat actors perceived as posing a genuine cyber threat, that delivers a controlled, bespoke, intelligence-led (red team) test of the financial entity’s critical live production systems (TLPT(threat-led penetration testing) a framework that mimics the tactics, techniques and procedures of real-life threat actors perceived as posing a genuine cyber threat, that delivers a controlled, bespoke, intelligence-led (red team) test of the financial entity’s critical live production systems) as described in TIBER-EU. Financial entitiesas defined in Article 2, points (a) to (t) subject to TLPT(threat-led penetration testing) a framework that mimics the tactics, techniques and procedures of real-life threat actors perceived as posing a genuine cyber threat, that delivers a controlled, bespoke, intelligence-led (red team) test of the financial entity’s critical live production systems may refer to and apply the TIBER-EU framework, or one of its national implementations, in as much as that framework or implementation is consistent with the requirements set out in Articles 26 and 27 of Regulation (EU) 2022/2554 and this Regulation. The designation of a single public authority means any government or other public administration entity, including national central banks. in the financial sector that is responsible for TLPT-related matters at national level in accordance with Article 26(9) of Regulation (EU) 2022/2554 should be without prejudice to the competence of competent authoritiesas defined in Article 46 entrusted at Union level for the supervision of certain financial entitiesas defined in Article 2, points (a) to (t) in accordance with Article 46 of that Regulation such as, for instance, the European Central Bank for significant credit institutions means a credit institution as defined in Article 4(1), point (1), of Regulation (EU) No 575/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council (^32^); Regulation (EU) No 575/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 June 2013 on prudential requirements for credit institutions and amending Regulation (EU) No 648/2012 (OJ L 176, 27.6.2013, p. 1). which are to be considered competent for TLPT-related matters. Where only some of the tasks related to TLPTs(threat-led penetration testing) a framework that mimics the tactics, techniques and procedures of real-life threat actors perceived as posing a genuine cyber threat, that delivers a controlled, bespoke, intelligence-led (red team) test of the financial entity’s critical live production systems are delegated to another national authority in the financial sector pursuant to Article 26(10) of Regulation (EU) 2022/2554, the competent authorityas defined in Article 46 of the financial entity means a natural or legal person created and recognised as such under the national law of its place of establishment, which may, acting under its own name, exercise rights and be subject to obligations; referred to in Article 46 of that Regulation should remain the authority for the TLPT-related tasks that have been not delegated.

Recital 2 Exclusions from the scope

Considering the complexity of the TLPT(threat-led penetration testing) a framework that mimics the tactics, techniques and procedures of real-life threat actors perceived as posing a genuine cyber threat, that delivers a controlled, bespoke, intelligence-led (red team) test of the financial entity’s critical live production systems and the risks means the potential for loss or disruption caused by an incident and is to be expressed as a combination of the magnitude of such loss or disruption and the likelihood of occurrence of the incident; relating to it, its use should be restricted to those financial entitiesas defined in Article 2, points (a) to (t) for which it is justified. Hence, authorities responsible for TLPT(threat-led penetration testing) a framework that mimics the tactics, techniques and procedures of real-life threat actors perceived as posing a genuine cyber threat, that delivers a controlled, bespoke, intelligence-led (red team) test of the financial entity’s critical live production systems matters (TLPT authorities means any of the following: the single public authority in the financial sector designated in accordance with Article 26(9) of Regulation (EU) 2022/2554; the authority in the financial sector to which the exercise of some or all of the tasks in relation to TLPT is delegated in accordance with Article 26(10) of Regulation (EU) 2022/2554; any of the competent authorities referred to in Article 46 of Regulation (EU) 2022/2554;, either at Union or national level) should exclude from the scope of TLPT(threat-led penetration testing) a framework that mimics the tactics, techniques and procedures of real-life threat actors perceived as posing a genuine cyber threat, that delivers a controlled, bespoke, intelligence-led (red team) test of the financial entity’s critical live production systems those financial entitiesas defined in Article 2, points (a) to (t) that operate in core financial services subsectors for which a TLPT(threat-led penetration testing) a framework that mimics the tactics, techniques and procedures of real-life threat actors perceived as posing a genuine cyber threat, that delivers a controlled, bespoke, intelligence-led (red team) test of the financial entity’s critical live production systems is not justified. That means that credit institutions means a credit institution as defined in Article 4(1), point (1), of Regulation (EU) No 575/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council (^32^); Regulation (EU) No 575/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 June 2013 on prudential requirements for credit institutions and amending Regulation (EU) No 648/2012 (OJ L 176, 27.6.2013, p. 1)., payment and electronic money institutions means an electronic money institution as defined in Article 2, point (1), of Directive 2009/110/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council;, central security depositories, central counterparties means a central counterparty as defined in Article 2, point (1), of Regulation (EU) No 648/2012;, trading venues means a trading venue as defined in Article 4(1), point (24), of Directive 2014/65/EU;, insurance and reinsurance undertakings means a reinsurance undertaking as defined in Article 13, point (4), of Directive 2009/138/EC;, even though they meet the quantitative criteria, could be released from the requirement of TLPT(threat-led penetration testing) a framework that mimics the tactics, techniques and procedures of real-life threat actors perceived as posing a genuine cyber threat, that delivers a controlled, bespoke, intelligence-led (red team) test of the financial entity’s critical live production systems in light of an overall assessment of their ICT risk means any reasonably identifiable circumstance in relation to the use of network and information systems which, if materialised, may compromise the security of the network and information systems, of any technology dependent tool or process, of operations and processes, or of the provision of services by producing adverse effects in the digital or physical environment; profile and maturity, impact on the financial sector, and related financial stability concerns.

Recital 3 Considerations of other financial entities for inclusion

TLPT authorities means any of the following: the single public authority in the financial sector designated in accordance with Article 26(9) of Regulation (EU) 2022/2554; the authority in the financial sector to which the exercise of some or all of the tasks in relation to TLPT is delegated in accordance with Article 26(10) of Regulation (EU) 2022/2554; any of the competent authorities referred to in Article 46 of Regulation (EU) 2022/2554; should assess, in light of an overall assessment of the ICT risk means any reasonably identifiable circumstance in relation to the use of network and information systems which, if materialised, may compromise the security of the network and information systems, of any technology dependent tool or process, of operations and processes, or of the provision of services by producing adverse effects in the digital or physical environment; profile and maturity, of the impact on the financial sector, and of related financial stability concerns, whether any type of financial entity means a natural or legal person created and recognised as such under the national law of its place of establishment, which may, acting under its own name, exercise rights and be subject to obligations; other than credit institutions means a credit institution as defined in Article 4(1), point (1), of Regulation (EU) No 575/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council (^32^); Regulation (EU) No 575/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 June 2013 on prudential requirements for credit institutions and amending Regulation (EU) No 648/2012 (OJ L 176, 27.6.2013, p. 1)., payment institutions means a payment institution as defined in Article 4, point (4), of Directive (EU) 2015/2366;, electronic money institutions means an electronic money institution as defined in Article 2, point (1), of Directive 2009/110/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council;, central counterparties means a central counterparty as defined in Article 2, point (1), of Regulation (EU) No 648/2012;, central securities depositories means a central securities depository as defined in Article 2(1), point (1), of Regulation (EU) No 909/2014;, trading venues means a trading venue as defined in Article 4(1), point (24), of Directive 2014/65/EU;, insurance and reinsurance undertakings means a reinsurance undertaking as defined in Article 13, point (4), of Directive 2009/138/EC; should be subject to TLPT(threat-led penetration testing) a framework that mimics the tactics, techniques and procedures of real-life threat actors perceived as posing a genuine cyber threat, that delivers a controlled, bespoke, intelligence-led (red team) test of the financial entity’s critical live production systems. The assessment of whether such financial entitiesas defined in Article 2, points (a) to (t) meet those qualitative criteria should aim at identifying financial entitiesas defined in Article 2, points (a) to (t) for which TLPT(threat-led penetration testing) a framework that mimics the tactics, techniques and procedures of real-life threat actors perceived as posing a genuine cyber threat, that delivers a controlled, bespoke, intelligence-led (red team) test of the financial entity’s critical live production systems is appropriate by using cross-sector and objective indicators. At the same time, the assessment of whether a financial entity means a natural or legal person created and recognised as such under the national law of its place of establishment, which may, acting under its own name, exercise rights and be subject to obligations; meets those qualitative criteria should limit the entities means a natural or legal person created and recognised as such under the national law of its place of establishment, which may, acting under its own name, exercise rights and be subject to obligations; subject to TLPT(threat-led penetration testing) a framework that mimics the tactics, techniques and procedures of real-life threat actors perceived as posing a genuine cyber threat, that delivers a controlled, bespoke, intelligence-led (red team) test of the financial entity’s critical live production systems to those for which the testing is justified. Whether a financial entity means a natural or legal person created and recognised as such under the national law of its place of establishment, which may, acting under its own name, exercise rights and be subject to obligations; meets those qualitative criteria should also be assessed in the light of new markets development and of the increasing importance of new market participants for the financial sector in the future, including crypto asset service providers authorised in accordance with Article 59 of Regulation (EU) 2023/1114 of the European Parliament and of the Council(2)Regulation (EU) 2023/1114 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 31 May 2023 on markets in crypto-assets, and amending Regulations (EU) No 1093/2010 and (EU) No 1095/2010 and Directives 2013/36/EU and (EU) 2019/1937 (OJ L 150, 9.6.2023, p. 40, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2023/1114/oj)..

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

  1. Article 1Definitions
  2. Article 2Identification of financial entities required to perform TLPT
  3. Article 3TCT and TLPT Test Managers
  4. Article 4Organisational arrangements for financial entities
  5. Article 5Risk management for TLPT
  6. Article 6Risk management for pooled or joint TLPTs
  7. Article 7Selection of TLPT providers
  8. Article 8Specificities for pooled or joint TLPTs
  9. Article 9Preparation phase
  10. Article 10Testing phase: threat intelligence
  11. Article 11Testing phase: red team test
  12. Article 12Closure phase
  13. Article 13Remediation plan
  14. Article 14Attestation
  15. Article 15Use of internal testers
  16. Article 16Cooperation and mutual recognition
  17. Article 17Entry into force
Annexes(1 – 8)
  1. Annex IContent of the project charter (Article 9(2)(a))
  2. Annex IIContent of the scope specification document (Article 9(6))
  3. Annex IIIContent of the targeted threat intelligence report (Article 10(5))
  4. Annex IVContent of the red team test plan (Article 11(1))
  5. Annex VContent of the red team test report (Article 12(2))
  6. Annex VIContent of the blue team test report (Article 12(4))
  7. Annex VIIDetails of the report summarizing the relevant findings of the TLPT referred to in Article 26(6) of Regulation (EU) 2022/2554
  8. Annex VIIIDetails of the attestation of the TLPT referred to in Article 26(7) of Regulation (EU) 2022/2554

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at Brussels, 13 February 2025.

For the Commission

The President

Ursula VON DER LEYEN

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