The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has introduced a new prudential standard, CPS 230, focusing on operational risk management. This blog post unpacks the key aspects of CPS 230 and its implications for Australian financial institutions.
What is APRA CPS 230?
CPS 230 is a prudential standard that aims to strengthen operational resilience in the Australian financial sector. It replaces several existing standards and consolidates requirements for managing operational risk, including outsourcing and business continuity management.
Key Requirements of APRA CPS 230
- Comprehensive Risk Management Framework
- Board and Senior Management Responsibilities
- Material Service Provider Management
- Business Continuity Planning
- Notification and Reporting Obligations
WHY WAS APRA CPS 230 INTRODUCED?
By introducing CPS 230, APRA aims to foster a more resilient and robust financial sector in Australia, better equipped to handle the complex operational risks of the modern financial landscape. In announcing APRA CPS 230, Chair John Lonsdale said the finalisation of CPS 230 will strengthen the management of operational risk across APRA’s regulated population.
“Disruptions to financial services can cause a major detrimental impact to the people who rely on them to pay bills, recover from financial loss or support themselves in retirement. The need for APRA’s new standard has been demonstrated by a number of recent operational risk control failures and disruptions, including material cyber breaches. This new standard will ensure that regulated entities set and test controls and maintain robust business continuity plans to respond if disruptions do occur."
Implementation Timeline
APRA CPS 230 comes into effect on 1 July 2025. However, financial institutions are encouraged to start preparing well in advance to ensure full compliance by the deadline.
Impact on Australian Financial Institutions
The new standard will significantly impact how banks, insurers, and superannuation trustees manage operational risk. Entities will need to:
- Review and update existing risk management frameworks
- Enhance oversight of material service providers
- Strengthen business continuity and disaster recovery capabilities
- Improve incident reporting and notification processes
Ensuring Compliance with APRA CPS 230
To meet the requirements of CPS 230, financial institutions should:
- Conduct a gap analysis against current practices
- Develop a comprehensive implementation plan
- Engage with the board and senior management
- Review and update policies, procedures, and contracts
- Enhance risk assessment and monitoring processes
- Conduct regular testing and scenario analysis
How Insicon Can Help
As a leading cyber risk consultancy, Insicon offers tailored services to help financial institutions navigate the complexities of APRA CPS 230. Our expertise includes:
- APRA CPS 230 readiness assessments
- Risk management framework development
- Material service provider risk assessments
- Business continuity planning and testing
- Incident response and crisis management
Conclusion
APRA CPS 230 represents a significant shift in operational risk management for Australian financial institutions. By taking proactive steps and partnering with experienced consultants like Insicon, organisations can ensure compliance and strengthen their overall operational resilience.
