Financial services is the most lucrative and demanding GRC client segment for MSPs. APRA-regulated entities, AFS licence holders, and financial services technology providers face some of the most complex and consequential compliance obligations in the Australian market. 6clicks gives MSPs the tools to serve them.
Who this is for: MSPs serving or targeting financial services clients in Australia, including banks, insurers, superannuation funds, AFS licence holders, and fintech companies.
TL;DR
- APRA-regulated entities must comply with CPS 234 (information security) and increasing operational resilience requirements
- AFS licence holders face ASIC cyber security expectations and Privacy Act obligations
- Financial services clients generate the highest-value GRC contracts due to regulatory complexity
- 6clicks includes pre-built frameworks for CPS 234, ISO 27001, SOC 2, and Privacy Act compliance
- If you serve a financial services client today, their CISO or risk manager has GRC needs you can meet
The financial services compliance landscape in Australia
Australian financial services organisations face a multi-layered regulatory stack:
APRA CPS 234
The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) Prudential Standard CPS 234 requires APRA-regulated entities to maintain information security capabilities commensurate with the size and extent of information security vulnerabilities. Key requirements include:
- Maintaining information security capabilities aligned to the organisation's risk profile
- Notifying APRA of material information security incidents within 72 hours
- Annual assessment of information security controls by an appropriately skilled function
APRA CPS 230
CPS 230 (operational risk management, effective July 2025) sets requirements for operational resilience, business continuity, and third-party service provider management. MSPs delivering services to APRA entities are directly affected as third-party service providers.
ASIC cyber security expectations
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has published guidance on cyber security obligations for AFS licence holders and market infrastructure providers.
Privacy Act and Consumer Data Right
Financial services entities face Privacy Act obligations and, for relevant businesses, Consumer Data Right (CDR) compliance requirements.
How 6clicks supports financial services GRC delivery
- CPS 234 framework pre-configured with APRA's information security requirements mapped to controls
- CPS 230 third-party service provider assessment templates for MSPs subject to APRA oversight
- ISO 27001 framework for financial services entities seeking international certification
- Privacy policy library aligned to Australian Privacy Principles and CDR requirements
- Vendor Risk Management module for third-party service provider management under CPS 230
- Incident management workflows compliant with APRA's 72-hour notification requirement
How to position GRC services to financial services clients
The most effective framing for financial services GRC conversations:
- "APRA expects your board to receive regular information on your CPS 234 compliance status — do you have that visibility today?"
- "Under CPS 230, you need to manage your third-party providers' risk. Are all your critical service providers assessed?"
- "A material information security incident needs to be reported to APRA within 72 hours. Do you have the processes in place to identify, assess, and notify?"
Frequently asked questions
CPS 234 (information security) and CPS 230 (operational risk) are the most directly relevant. MSPs should also be familiar with CPG 234 (APRA's information security guidance) for detailed implementation expectations.
MSPs providing services to APRA-regulated entities may be classified as "material service providers" under CPS 230, creating obligations for both the APRA entity and the MSP.
Financial services GRC subscriptions typically range from AUD 5,000 to AUD 20,000/month depending on regulatory scope, organisation size, and service depth.
Yes. 6clicks reporting can be configured to generate outputs aligned to APRA's regulatory reporting expectations, including CPS 234 attestation support.
6clicks provides the framework content and workflow foundation. Prior experience with APRA standards is helpful, but teams can build capability progressively as they deliver client engagements using the platform.
Next step
Build your financial services GRC
practice with 6clicks.
