UAE Central Bank Implements New Rules to Combat Financial Disruptions

Sep 15, 2026

73 min

Sep 15, 2026 07:31

New UAE Central Bank rules target outages, fraud and cyberattacks

## New Regulations in Effect

The UAE Central Bank has introduced a new Operational Risk Management Regulation, effective from September 14, 2026. This regulation aims to enhance the resilience of banks and financial institutions against technological failures, cyberattacks, and fraud.

## Focus on Service Continuity

The regulation mandates comprehensive contingency planning to ensure the continuity of critical financial services. Institutions must identify operations whose disruption could significantly impact customers or the financial system, such as money transfers, account access, and card operations.

## Defined Tolerance Levels

Banks are required to set clear disruption tolerance levels, specifying the maximum acceptable duration of service interruptions and the impact that can be tolerated. This approach shifts the focus from merely restoring systems to ensuring essential services can continue or be quickly restored.

## Oversight and Implementation

The board of directors is tasked with overseeing operational risk management, while senior management is responsible for implementing strategies and ensuring adequate resources and personnel. This includes managing IT risks, cybersecurity, and business continuity plans.

## Incident Management

Institutions must manage incidents throughout their lifecycle, from detection to recovery, and report significant deviations or incidents to the Central Bank promptly. Even when outsourcing operations, institutions remain accountable for service security and continuity.

## Impact on Customers

The regulation is expected to reduce service disruptions, enhance data protection, and improve readiness against cyber threats. However, it does not guarantee the elimination of disruptions or automatic compensation for service interruptions.

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