If you’ve ever felt like you’re in a complicated relationship with cybersecurity rules and regulations, you’re certainly not alone. The constantly shifting landscape of data protection regulations and the complex jargon and technical requirements can make staying compliant feel like an uphill battle. From the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), the list of regulations seems never-ending, leaving chief information officers, compliance officers, corporate counsels, and information technology professionals scrambling to stay on top of the latest developments.
Their job should be focused on improving IT operations and cybersecurity goals. That includes all the hardware and software your employees use and the security and licensing of those tools and applications.
The Complexities of Compliance
There is not one rule that everyone must follow regarding data protection and security, and in fact, there are many overlapping regulations and many organizations are being asked to follow multiple at the same time.
The GDPR passed by the European Union is one, but other common ones in the United States are NYSHIELD (NY State), CMR 17 (Massachusetts), CCPA (California), SOX, HIPAA, and PCI-DSS. Several nations have similar laws, or they’re at least working on them. But they’re not all in place today. Not even here in the U.S., which has been working on legislation to protect the privacy and data of individuals and children , specifically. Unfortunately, there has been little movement and guidance for businesses and consumers alike is murky at best.
But there are specific rules for specific industries, and states have even gotten into the regulatory game, giving their residents the right to know how their data are being tracked and used by the websites they visit. California is a prime example.
Find the Right Partners
It is next to impossible to navigate these regulatory waters alone, and it is crucial to have a trusted partner who spends all their time in the digital — including regulatory — space. So, look for the following qualities:
Expert Guidance
Find a team of cybersecurity experts who stay current with the latest regulations and compliance standards so you won’t have to. Their job is to help you decipher the jargon and understand what is required to keep your business compliant.
Tailored Solutions
Your partner should understand that every business is unique, and they must offer customized compliance solutions tailored to your needs. They should work with you to develop a compliance strategy that fits your budget and goals, whether you’re a small startup about to go IPO or a large enterprise that protects private health information.
Continuous Monitoring
Compliance isn’t a one-time task; it’s an ongoing process, often with hundreds of different activities and tasks to perform on a recurring basis. To ensure your business remains compliant, it would be best to have continuous monitoring and updates. For example, you should have regular security assessments and real-time threat monitoring.
Training and Education
Ensuring your employees are well-informed and trained on cybersecurity best practices is one of the biggest compliance challenges. Look for an included comprehensive training program to educate your staff and minimize the risk of human error and your specific compliance needs.
Managed IT and Security Services
Compliance assistance should be one part of the package. Look for a partner offering multiple managed IT and security services to protect your business. From network security to data backup and recovery, they should help you safeguard sensitive information and mitigate cyber threats.
At Integrated IT, we understand that navigating the world of cybersecurity compliance can be overwhelming. That’s why we’re dedicated to providing you with the necessary support and resources to achieve and easily maintain compliance. So, if you’re ready to take the stress out of compliance and strengthen your cybersecurity posture, learn more about our managed IT and security services today.
Your journey to compliance starts here. Let Integrated IT be your trusted partner every step of the way.
