Information, Communication Technology (ICT) systems, generally includes all hardware, software, applications and systems that combined enable people and organizations to communicate digitally.

ICT encompasses the capture, storage, retrieval, processing, display, representation, presentation, organization, management, security, transfer, and interchange of data and information.

These technological tools and resources include computers, the Internet, live broadcasting technologies (radio, television and webcasting), recorded broadcasting technologies (podcasting, audio, storage devices…) and telephony.

Financial institutions are mainly dependent on ICT third-party service providers that supply the systems/technologies used to store, process, and/or transmit data that enhances their operational efficiency.

Under Regulation (EU) 2022/2554 on digital operational resilience for the financial sector (DORA) ICT services means ‘digital and data services provided through ICT systems to one or more internal or external users on an ongoing basis, including hardware as a service and hardware services which includes the provision of technical support via software or firmware updates by the hardware provider, excluding traditional analogue telephone services’.