- DFSA (DIFC)

Satisfy Your Regulator
Without Guessing What They Want.

We help firms operating within the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) align with Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) regulatory expectations, from technology governance to data and cyber risk requirements.

What We Cover

DFSA technology governance requirements
Cyber risk management framework alignment
Outsourcing and third-party risk-related policy documentation
Business continuity requirements
Regulatory reporting readiness

- Industries We Serve

DFSA (DIFC) Built Around Your Sector

DFSA expectations apply specifically to firms licensed within the DIFC, but the intensity of scrutiny still varies by what kind of financial activity you’re licensed for, and a full-scope bank faces deeper requirements than a smaller advisory firm.

We scope your DFSA alignment around your specific license category and risk profile.

Finance

We help DIFC-licensed banks and financial institutions align technology governance with DFSA expectations.

Healthcare

We help DIFC-based firms handling health-adjacent financial products navigate combined regulatory obligations.

Legal

We help DIFC-based legal and advisory firms meet DFSA outsourcing and data governance requirements.

Retail & E-Commerce

We help DIFC-based fintech and payment firms align with DFSA technology risk expectations.

- Why AWJ Tech

What Our DFSA Alignment Service Delivers

DFSA alignment from AWJ Tech turns regulatory language into controls you can actually demonstrate.

01

Regulatory Gap Assessment

We assess your current technology governance against DFSA rulebook requirements.

02

Cyber Risk Framework Alignment

We align your cyber risk management approach with DFSA expectations.

03

Outsourcing Documentation

We help document third-party and outsourcing arrangements as DFSA requires.

04

Business Continuity Documentation

We help build business continuity documentation that satisfies DFSA resilience expectations.

05

Board Reporting Support

We help structure technology risk reporting for board and DFSA visibility.

06

Incident Notification Readiness

We help establish processes for meeting DFSA incident notification timelines.

07

Policy Documentation

We develop the technology governance policies DFSA-regulated firms are expected to maintain.

08

Ongoing Regulatory Monitoring

We help you stay current as DFSA rulebook requirements evolve.

09

Reduced Examination Risk

Structured governance reduces findings during DFSA supervisory examinations.

A DFSA Examination Finding Doesn't Just Cost Time. It Costs Trust With Your Regulator.

AWJ Tech Builds Governance That Holds Up Under Examination

Generic IT policies rarely satisfy a DFSA examiner looking for evidence specific to your license category. AWJ Tech builds governance mapped directly to what DFSA actually expects from firms like yours.

- Why Do Businesses Trust AWJ Tech?

The Credentials Behind Every Promise We Make

- Our DFSA Alignment Process

From Regulatory Mapping to Ongoing Governance

Six stages take your firm from unclear DFSA exposure to demonstrable alignment.

Stage 1

License Category Review

We review your DIFC license category to determine applicable DFSA requirements.

Week 0

Stage 2

Gap Assessment

We assess current technology governance against relevant DFSA rulebook modules.

Days 1–2

Stage 3

Documentation Development

We help develop the policies and documentation your gap assessment identified as missing.

Days 3–7

Stage 4

Control Implementation

We support implementation of technology and cyber risk controls.

Day 8

Stage 5

Internal Readiness Review

We conduct a readiness review ahead of any DFSA supervisory engagement.

Days 9–10

Stage 6

Ongoing Monitoring

We help you track regulatory updates and maintain alignment over time.

Within 90 days

- Client Reviews

What Clients Say About
Our DFSA Alignment Service

"An effective business partner! Throughout our rapid business growth, we were ensured world-class security services despite budget and schedule constraints. Anticipated issues well in advance and provided timely recommendations...."

"Proactive and well liked by our staff due to their 'can do' attitude. When faced with problems, proactively suggested solutions. Took actions and decisions as appropriate to the business."

"I have had the privilege of working with Sadiq. He possesses expert security skills, broad and deep industry knowledge and in-depth understanding of regulatory requirements within the finance industry…”

"A rare breed of folks who are able to hold both deep technical and cyber conversations whilst combining and communicating the business context that helps bridge the gap for all involved."

- Common questions

What Clients Ask About AI and
Copilot in Business Central (BC)

Does this apply to all DIFC-registered entities?

Requirements vary by license category; we help determine exactly what applies to your specific registration.

Do you communicate directly with the DFSA on our behalf?

We prepare your documentation and controls; direct regulatory communication remains with your firm and legal counsel.

How does this relate to ISO 27001 or NESA/IAS?

There's meaningful overlap, and we structure work to avoid duplicating effort across frameworks.

How long does DFSA alignment typically take?

Timelines depend on current maturity and license category, typically ranging from six weeks to a few months.

What happens if DFSA requirements change?

Timelines depend on current maturity and license category, typically ranging from six weeks to a few months.

Can this help prepare for a DFSA thematic review?

Yes. Structured documentation and controls significantly reduce findings during thematic and routine examinations.

- Get In Touch

Let's Talk About Your DFSA Requirements

If you’re not confident your technology governance would hold up under a DFSA examination, our engineers are ready to help. Send us a message and find out where your current gaps actually are.

connect@awjtech.com

Phone

+971 55 232 9098

Head office

Office 55, Al Khaimah Building Port Saeed, Dubai, UAE

Response time

01 Business Day

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WHERE WE CAN HELP YOU*

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- Ready When You Are

Generic Governance Won't Satisfy
a DFSA Examiner

Most generic IT governance advice doesn’t account for what DFSA specifically expects from your license category.

Partner with AWJ Tech and work with experienced consultants who specialize in DIFC-specific regulatory expectations.

Satisfy Your Regulator Without Guessing What They Want.