Data Security Compliance

Data Security Compliance

Data Security Compliance is a process that defines protocols, procedures and policies to ensure that sensitive data is protected, secured, and stored in-line with relevant data security governance frameworks.

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Why is Data Security Compliance Important?

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There are many standards and frameworks that define how data should be generated, managed, stored, secured, accessed, used, modified and even destroyed. The object of these standards and frameworks is to ensure that data is fully protected from unauthorized access and use, malware and other cybersecurity threats. Compliance with these standards and frameworks is essential to safeguard user privacy, avoid downtime and data breaches, lower legal liability and reduce the likelihood of regulatory fines.

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Companies are legally responsible for the protection of the data they generate, gather and use to conduct their business. Data security compliance standards ensure that sensitive data is used only as intended and protected in accordance with its sensitivity.

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The Benefits of Data Security Compliance

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Compliance with data security governance rules, practices, regulations and standards enables organizations to ensure the confidentiality, integrity and availability of their data, databases and digital assets. Data security breaches or data loss can result in loss of revenue, damage to reputation and loss of business. It can even endanger business continuity.

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Failure to demonstrate compliance with relevant data governance procedures can result in unsatisfactory regulatory ratings, steep fines, and loss of trust in the eyes of company customers and stakeholders. 

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Important Data security Compliance Standards and Regulations 

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There are multiple domestic and global data security standards, regulations, frameworks, programs and legislation that companies need to comply with. These include:

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• National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) - NIST SP 800-53 Rev. 5 (2020), and the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF)
• International Organization for Standardization (ISO) - ISO/International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 27001:2013, and ISO/IEC 27002: 2013, 
• Payment Card Industry Digital Security Standard (PCI DSS)
• General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
• California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA)
• Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) - Security Rule (45 Code of Federal Regulations Part 160 and Subparts A and C of Part 164). 
• Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP)
• Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA)
• ISACA - Control Objectives for Information and Related Technology, or COBIT

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How to Ensure Data Security Compliance?

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Luckily, there are numerous and diverse security technologies  that companies can use to protect their data. Once an organization understands which data security compliance governance standards or frameworks they need to meet, they can choose the right solutions to implement the controls, policies, protocols and procedures that help them achieve the criteria defined. Data security compliance should be an ongoing process. Organizations should schedule periodic tests, documentation reviews and audits of data compliance activities. They should regularly brief senior management on data security compliance efforts. And they need to validate data compliance using impartial internal and external audits of compliance-related activities.

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