A service identified as important under the FCA operational-resilience framework because of the harm its disruption could cause.
Why the distinction matters
Define the external outcome before mapping the underlying systems. A single service can depend on several teams and third parties, while one technology dependency may support several services.
In the working file
Illustrative example
“Enable customers to make a payment” describes an outcome. The payment database is one of the dependencies supporting that outcome.
Use the term in context
Record the legal entity, activity, period and applicable source alongside the term. A familiar label does not remove the need to establish scope. Our operating playbook connects this definition to a practical process.
Read the related playbookSources & scope
Primary sources used for this research edition. Document dates and commencement dates are different fields. Recheck the issuing authority before acting.
- FCA: Operational resilienceGuidance · source reviewed 12 November 2026