10 Reasons You Should Become a CDORO in 2025

“The best careers are built at the intersection of relevance and resilience.
CDORO gets you there.”
— Paul C Dwyer
1. The Market is Starving for Strategic Resilience Leaders
With the EU DORA Regulation in force and the UK aligning its own framework, financial entities are actively recruiting leaders who can translate tech risk into board-level strategy. CDOROs fill that gap.

📊 78% of European financial institutions cite “operational resilience” as a top-three board priority in 2025. — (Source: McKinsey Financial Services Pulse, 2024)

2. A Launchpad for Boardroom Roles
Non-executive director (NXD) and audit committee positions are increasingly requiring digital risk expertise. CDORO positions you to bring value where traditional board members cannot.

3. Resilience = Relevance
Cyber, IT, and compliance professionals risk being siloed. The CDORO elevates you beyond the operational layer, anchoring your role in business continuity, strategic value, and organisational resilience.

4. Futureproof Your Career in an AI-Driven World
AI is reshaping operations and risks. Boards need leaders who understand both the technology and its implications for resilience. The CDORO role helps you lead in this next phase of digital transformation.

5. It Complements and Elevates Existing Qualifications
Already a CISO, CISM, CRISC, or even a CFA or chartered accountant? The CDORO doesn’t replace—it enhances. It translates technical or audit experience into boardroom-ready expertise.

6. Salary Uplift Potential Is Significant

💰 The average salary for roles involving Operational Resilience in financial services exceeds €140,000 per year, with top-tier CDORO-type roles reaching €200K+ in the EU and UK markets. — (Source: Robert Walters & Hays Executive Search, 2024)

7. You'll Speak the Language of the Boardroom
The CDORO curriculum equips you to align ICT risk with financial stability, regulatory compliance, and strategic planning—exactly what executive committees and boards are demanding.

8. Regulation Is Getting Personal
Supervisory authorities want named individuals accountable for resilience. Being certified signals you’re ready and competent to hold that responsibility.

9. The Role Bridges Governance, Risk, Compliance & Technology
Few roles offer the opportunity to unify GRC with cyber and ICT risk strategy. This makes CDORO professionals essential for integrated risk management initiatives.

10. It's a Differentiator in a Crowded Market
Whether you're job hunting, consulting, or climbing the internal ladder, “Certified Digital Operational Resilience Officer” on your CV is a conversation starter—and a credibility booster.