Frequently Asked Questions

Many organisations operate within regulatory frameworks that require them to manage third-party technology risks, maintain operational resilience and demonstrate appropriate controls over critical business services.

Software escrow helps support these requirements by providing an independent mechanism for protecting critical software assets and establishing a documented path to recovery should a software supplier be unable to meet its obligations. This can help organisations strengthen governance, reduce dependency risk and improve resilience across their technology estate.

Escrow can support compliance with regulatory and industry expectations, including frameworks such as PRA SS2/21, FFIEC and APRA CPS 230, by helping organisations demonstrate that appropriate safeguards are in place for critical software dependencies. It also provides a clear audit trail, documented processes and supporting evidence that can assist with regulatory reviews, internal governance and compliance activities.

While escrow is not a compliance requirement in itself, it can play an important role within broader operational resilience, risk management and business continuity programmes.

Explore Regulatory Requirements

Software plays a critical role in almost every organisation. When access to that software is disrupted, the impact can quickly extend beyond technology and affect customers, operations, revenue and regulatory obligations.

Software escrow helps organisations manage this risk by providing an agreed recovery path should a software supplier be unable to continue supporting a critical application. By protecting access to the source code, documentation and supporting assets needed to maintain a system, escrow reduces dependency on individual suppliers and strengthens business continuity plans.

When combined with verification, organisations gain greater confidence that protected applications can be recovered and supported if required.

Explore Operational Resilience

Modern organisations rely on a growing network of software suppliers, technology partners and cloud service providers to deliver critical business services. While these relationships bring innovation and efficiency, they can also introduce operational risk if a supplier is unable to continue providing support, service or access to a business-critical application.

Software escrow helps organisations reduce this dependency risk by ensuring that critical software assets, including source code, documentation and supporting materials, are securely protected by an independent third party. If predefined release conditions occur, organisations have a documented path to access the materials needed to maintain, support or recover the application.

As part of a broader software resilience strategy, escrow provides greater visibility, assurance and control over critical software dependencies. It helps organisations understand where risks exist, strengthen supplier governance and improve preparedness for unexpected events that could affect service delivery.

Explore Third-Party Risk Management