Achieving and Enjoying Information Security Compliance

by Kristen White Blogger

With so many businesses struggling to achieve information security compliance, industries are viewing compliance in a different light. Businesses should not perceive compliance as a nuisance but as a key business requirement. The information industry is heavily regulated, similar to the banking and healthcare industries, and clients with high confidentiality standards require their partners to implement strict security controls. If a business’s IT system is not in compliance with industry and government regulations, customers and partners will not want to do business with them. Luckily, becoming information security compliant is not difficult. Here are the steps businesses need to follow.

Mandatory Compliance Training

All businesses must have information security compliance policies that serve as guidelines for their commercial practices. But being compliant is not about installing stringent policies but about being compliant at each step of the process. Giving every staff member regular formal compliance training is the best way to ensure they are informed about data security risks and know what to look for.

Respond to Security Threats

Although a key aspect of achieving data security compliance is avoiding all threats of cybersecurity attacks, it is almost impossible to completely guarantee any company's safety because data theft and cyberattacks are at an all-time high. This is why businesses need to plan for security breaches. They must have detailed remediation plans to ensure data security and employees need to be informed about them during compliance training programs.

Audits

Since cybersecurity threats are constantly evolving, all organizations need to conduct regular audits to assess the strength of their information security tools and business practices. Companies that cannot conduct accurate audits should team up with third-party information security compliance experts who can verify whether or not the company is compliant as well as guide the development of data security plans.

Encryption Standards

Preventing unauthorized access to important data is one of the biggest priorities of information security compliance. To achieve its security goals, a business must regularly update its encryption standards and ensure administrative passwords are stored securely. Rules on how to access passwords and sensitive data also need to be clarified during compliance training sessions.

Insurance

Having formal insurance measures is vital for businesses and their clients in case there is a major data breach. Coverage can provide reimbursement for customers and help restore customers’ confidence in the business. Of course, coverage also covers PR costs, legal expenses, and more.

Enjoying the Fruits of Compliance

· No More Fines: Being information security compliant means you will not be subject to fines or penalties by regulatory organizations such as the Federal Trade Commission or the EU’s Security of Networks and Information Systems (NIS) Directives.

· Market Reputation: Achieving data security compliance bolsters market reputation and proves that the business takes appropriate measures to protect clients’ personal data and privacy.

· Organization Efficiency: Being compliant means keeping all employees up to date with new data security legislation. Compliance training programs keep staff members informed and overall organizational efficiency increases because all team members know how to handle data properly.

The negative consequences of data breaches far outweigh the cost of attaining compliance! This is why businesses need to consult with a cybersecurity expert to protect their own information as well as customers’ personal data and ensure compliance.