When it comes to cybersecurity compliance, meeting baseline standards is only the beginning. The real challenge lies in embedding compliance requirements into the fabric of an organization and making them an integral part of daily operations.
However, achieving airtight compliance is a tall order. Organizations face the pressures of maintaining robust security measures while ensuring compliant, efficient operations. Adding to the complexity, evolving regulations and emerging cyber threats make compliance a moving target. A proactive and adaptive approach is paramount to manage cybersecurity risk and compliance in this dynamic environment.
What Is Cybersecurity Compliance?
Cybersecurity compliance means aligning an organization’s security practices with applicable regulatory and industry standards. Though compliance focuses on meeting specific legal, contractual, and regulatory requirements, it often overlaps with broader security goals. The intersection of cybersecurity and compliance helps organizations address mandatory requirements while bolstering their overall security posture and mitigating risks associated with cyber threats.
Why Is Regulatory Compliance Important for Cybersecurity?
Regulatory compliance plays a critical role in cybersecurity because it defines minimum standards organizations must meet to manage risk and protect sensitive data. But compliance is only part of the equation — effective security goes beyond checking boxes. Together, compliance and cutting-edge cybersecurity strategies help organizations strengthen their cyber resilience.
Organizations should follow industry best practices mitigating security gaps and ensuring compliance requirements are fulfilled. GRC in cybersecurity — a framework that encompasses governance, risk management and compliance — integrates policy, risk mitigation, and accountability. For example, the governance pillar may define policies for access control, while security mechanisms like multi-factor authentication ensure that only verified users can gain entry.
Common Compliance Regulations to Consider for Cybersecurity
Most compliance standards focus on securing sensitive data, including protected health information (PHI), financial data like credit card numbers, and personally identifiable information (PII) like Social Security numbers.
While regulatory requirements vary by industry, there are several key standards every organization should know:
HIPAA
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) sets clear standards for data privacy and security for healthcare organizations. This includes administrative safeguards, such as policies and procedures for managing staff access to systems and data, as well as technical safeguards like encryption to secure electronic data.
Any entity handling PHI must be HIPAA-compliant, from healthcare providers to billing services providers. If a breach occurs due to noncompliance with HIPAA, organizations risk significant financial penalties and reputational damage that can diminish stakeholder and patient trust.
FFIEC
The Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) is a regulatory body that ensures financial institutions have adequate cybersecurity measures in place.
These standards apply to any organization that processes, stores, or transmits payment card information, including banks, credit unions, and payment processors. FFIEC guidelines require institutions to implement measures like routine risk assessments, incident response plans, and employee training programs to reduce risk.
GDPR
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a comprehensive regulation enacted by the European Union (EU) to safeguard personal information and give individuals control over their data.
GDPR applies to any organization processing the personal data of EU residents, even if the organization is located elsewhere. Businesses across industries must comply with GDPR, including tech companies, e-commerce companies, healthcare organizations, and marketing firms. Beyond key security measures like encryption and access controls, GDPR also requires organizations to report data breaches within 72 hours to minimize damage.
PCI DSS
The Payment Card Industry’s Data Security Standards (PCI DSS) is a set of standards developed by the PCI Security Standards Council, which is made up of major credit card companies like American Express and Visa. The goal of PCI DSS is to secure cardholder data and reduce payment fraud, which is relevant for any organization that processes, stores, or transmits payment card information.
Beyond financial services institutions, businesses in retail, e-commerce, and hospitality must comply with PCI DSS by maintaining security measures like encryption, secure network configurations, and regular vulnerability testing.
CMMC
The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) is a framework created by the Department of Defense to enforce cybersecurity standards for government contractors. Any contractor or subcontractor that handles controlled unclassified information (e.g., technical specifications or engineering plans) or federal contract information (e.g., bid or proposal information) must adhere to CMMC.
The framework involves various maturity levels depending on the sensitivity of the information being handled, each with specific practices and processes an organization must implement to demonstrate compliance.
Best Practices for Maintaining Cybersecurity Compliance
Maintaining cybersecurity compliance goes hand in hand with implementing strong security measures. By focusing on key protections — such as encrypting sensitive data, enforcing stringent access controls, and continuously monitoring for potential threats — you can minimize vulnerabilities while ensuring adherence to regulatory standards.
The following best practices can help foster a compliance-first culture that positions your organization to meet evolving regulatory requirements.
Document Processes and Systems for Data Security and Compliance
Clear documentation of data security and compliance measures simplifies audits by creating a trail of accountability and transparency. If you haven’t already done so, create a centralized repository for documented policies, procedures, and security controls so they are easily accessible to relevant stakeholders. It’s also important to maintain documentation of systems and workflows that handle sensitive data, like customer onboarding processes or payment handling systems.
Don’t forget to regularly update your documentation. Think of it as a dynamic asset that evolves alongside your security strategy, business processes, and the regulatory landscape. If the information isn’t current, it won’t be effective.
Establish an Incident Response Plan
An incident response plan is more than just a playbook for damage control. It also ensures that your response protocols align with regulatory obligations, reducing the risk of penalties. Regularly review and update your plan so it accounts for the latest technologies, addresses emerging threats, and complies with evolving requirements.
If you don’t yet have an incident response plan in place, it’s time to prioritize creating one. Work with a cross-functional team of IT, legal, and communications stakeholders to develop a detailed plan that defines roles, responsibilities, and workflows for handling various types of security incidents. Make sure the plan includes escalation protocols that are aligned with compliance requirements to ensure swift action and communication during an incident.
Routinely Audit Risk Assessment
Risk assessments are a strategic tool to future-proof your organization against evolving threats while adhering to regulatory standards. It’s imperative to conduct routine audits to uncover vulnerabilities across your systems, applications, networks, and data management processes.
Automated tools like vulnerability scanners and compliance management platforms can simplify the risk assessment process. However, the real work begins after the audit. Leverage the insights gained to prioritize remediation efforts and fine-tune your security measures to stay ahead of risks and fulfill regulatory needs.
Continuously Monitor for Threats
Ongoing threat monitoring provides real-time visibility into network activity, enabling you to act quickly and prevent potential threats from escalating into major incidents. This proactive strategy both fortifies your defenses and strengthens compliance by actively reducing the risk of data breaches.
Lean on services like managed detection and response (MDR) and managed endpoint detection and response (EDR) from trusted partners for around-the-clock monitoring and rapid incident response. With managed, automated solutions in place, you can more easily stay ahead of threats while maintaining compliance.
Implement a Cybersecurity Framework
There are several frameworks that offer structured approaches to cyber risk management, such as NIST, ISO/IEC 27001, and CIS Controls. Each framework provides specific guidelines that help you systematically identify, assess, and mitigate security risks to ensure a robust defense strategy.
While some organizations rely on a single framework, many adapt or combine elements from multiple frameworks to match their unique needs or comply with various regulations. For example, a healthcare organization might combine elements from ISO/IEC 27001 with CIS Controls to create a holistic approach that ensures both data security and compliance, especially for safeguarding patient health data. While ISO/IEC 27001 may help establish a robust information security management system, CIS Controls provide actionable steps to safeguard specific systems and address industry-relevant vulnerabilities.
Train Staff on Cybersecurity Best Practices
Your employees are often the first line of defense against cyber threats, especially given the rise in social engineering attacks that exploit human vulnerabilities. While staff training can’t eliminate risk entirely, it can significantly reduce the likelihood of security incidents.
Focus training on how to detect phishing attempts, best practices for securely handling sensitive data, and responsible password management. It’s also smart to include compliance-specific training to ensure employees understand their role in maintaining compliance. For example, healthcare staff should receive training on HIPAA requirements, including how to handle PHI securely and report incidents.
Leverage GRC Consultants
GRC consultants can evaluate your organization’s current compliance posture and pinpoint areas for improvement. For long-term success, focus on building a collaborative partnership with consultants to strengthen internal expertise and establish a sustainable compliance program that evolves with your business.
You can leverage this third-party expertise to streamline the integration of compliance requirements into broader business processes. For example, GRC consultants can help develop tailored compliance roadmaps that incorporate specific regulations, such as GDPR, and align them with your organization’s strategic goals.
How Redpoint Can Help Ensure Cybersecurity Compliance
Redpoint Cybersecurity delivers expert GRC consulting services designed to simplify the intricacies of regulatory compliance. Through in-depth audits and tailored roadmaps, Redpoint ensures your compliance efforts align seamlessly with your broader security strategy and business goals.
Do you have specific regulatory requirements to address? Redpoint’s specialized FFIEC cybersecurity consulting and HIPAA compliance consulting services help you streamline compliance management, close regulatory gaps, and prepare for audits with confidence.
Get in touch to learn more.