Cybersecurity and compliance are no longer separate concerns. Both are integrally linked, and their relationship is vulnerable to attack on myriad levels with numerous portals of entry.
Cybercriminals are exploiting the time it’s taking for current networks, especially legacy systems, to meet the latest standards for cyber protection.
Cybersecurity and Compliance: Both Are Essential
Organizations must prioritize integration of resilient cybersecurity compliance frameworks to address ongoing and increasing cyber security threats while adhering to current regulatory compliance mandates. The increasing complexity of cyber regulations, such as CMMC 2.0 Compliance, GDPR, and HIPAA, among many others relevant to your specific industry, indicates the need for a synchronized approach to protecting sensitive data and avoiding non-compliance penalties.
Cybercriminals are always on the lookout for the gaps and discrepancies between security and compliance. Always seeking ways to game the system. Is your organization prepared?
Areas Where Cybersecurity Meets Compliance
Cybersecurity and compliance intersect between several key domains, including:
Data Protection and Privacy Laws – Regulations like GDPR and CCPA mandate stringent controls on data storage, access, and processing to prevent cybersecurity breaches.
Risk Management Frameworks – Standards like NIST and ISO 27001 provide guidelines for identifying, assessing, and mitigating vulnerability in cyber security.
Cloud Security Compliance – The adoption of cloud security services in cloud computing requires adherence to compliance frameworks like FedRAMP and SOC 2.
Industry-Specific Regulations – Sectors such as healthcare and defense implement specific security mandates, including HIPAA and CMMC 2.0 compliance.
Incident Response and Reporting – Many compliance frameworks demand documented plans for breach detection, mitigation, remediation, and disclosure to authorities.
Common Pitfalls of Non-Compliance
Cybersecurity protocols have been set for good reason – the more compliance, the less likely a cyber breach. Failing to align cybersecurity and compliance can lead to severe consequences. Common mistakes include:
Weak Access Controls – Insufficient identity and access management allowed unauthorized parties to infiltrate networks. A solid cybersecurity program should include MFA and high-level data encryption. Creating a system that is extremely difficult to penetrate is a deterrent to cybercrime. Attempts that are met with an impenetrable wall of defense are usually abandoned for easier prey.
Overlooking Third-Party Risks – Vendors and partners can introduce vulnerabilities in cyber security if their security measures don’t meet compliance standards. Require that the parties you partner with have security standards that meet yours.
Failure to Update Security Policies – Regulations evolve, and failure to adapt security measures can result in non-compliance. This may be challenging for entities running on legacy software and hardware systems – a factor that must be rectified as soon as possible. As stated, cybercriminals are watching for systems that have unpatched vulnerabilities.
Insufficient Incident Response Plans – Without a tested response strategy, your enterprise may struggle to contain and report a cybersecurity breach. Nothing worse than discovering a serious security breach and having no idea what to do next idea or whom to call first. Remediation can cost more and take much than longer than anticipated – and sometimes the damage is permanent. Swiftly executed response is key!
Ignoring Cloud Security Needs – A lack of proper cloud security exposes your organization to compliance violations and data breaches. Take a zero-trust approach to any commercial cloud platform you depend upon – after all, your data is in their hands! Ensure that it's securely stored and protected from unauthorized access. As a consumer, your enterprise has a right to demand answers and assurances about the cloud platform’s configuration and degree of cybersecurity protection.
The Cost of Non-Compliance
Recently we’ve witnessed several high-profile cybersecurity breaches that have demonstrated what happens when compliance is inadequate or absent. Organizations across industries have suffered substantial financial losses, reputational damage, and legal repercussions due to inadequate cyber defense measures and failure to meet regulatory compliance requirements.
The cost of non-compliance extends beyond regulatory fines. Some of the biggest consequences include:
Hefty Financial Penalties – Companies that failed to comply with GDPR and CCPA faced fines in the millions. Yes, MILLIONS.
Loss of Consumer Trust – A cybersecurity breach can tarnish your company’s reputation, causing long-term damage to brand credibility. People remember mistakes for a long time.
Operational Disruptions – Businesses dealing with ransomware attacks and data breaches suffered downtime, affecting productivity and revenue. Imagine what would happen if your business was down for three weeks …
Legal Liabilities – Non-compliant organizations faced lawsuits and increased scrutiny from regulatory bodies. Consumers are adamant about their rights, and many will not hesitate to file a suit for damages if your inadequate data protections leave them compromised.
Cybersecurity and Compliance: Best Practices for Synergy
To bridge the gap between cyber defense and regulatory adherence, businesses should implement these best practices:
Conduct Regular Compliance Audits – Frequent audits help identify non-compliance risks and ensure adherence to security mandates. In fact, these audits should be a regularly scheduled occurrence for true proactive maintenance.
Use Managed Security Services – Partnering with managed security services providers can enhance both security posture and compliance readiness. Gold Comet can help in this area, helping with CMMC SGA (Self-Guided Assessment) preparation and ultra secure storage for your data.
Adopt a Zero-Trust Framework – Implementing a Zero Trust model strengthens network security by limiting access based on identity verification. Consider our Zero Trust Collaboration product HaloCONNECT – newly released with our partner Secude!
Integrate Security Policies with Compliance Standards – Security protocols should align with regulatory requirements to create a unified defense strategy. Visit our CMMC page for details on complying with DIB (Defense Industrial Base) standards and here’s a post on GDPR.
Continuous Employee Training – Regular cybersecurity training ensures staff understands compliance obligations and cyber security threats. Most importantly, they should know the role they play in what to do if a breach occurs – whom and when to inform, remediation steps to be taken, analytics and incident reporting, and any other follow-up responsibilities.
Achieving Harmony Between Cybersecurity and Compliance
These days, successful cybersecurity requires viewing cybersecurity compliance as an ongoing effort rather than a one-time task. Integrate a resilient managed cloud-based security service to achieve a seamless balance between security and compliance. Ensure that your staff members understand and adhere to the rules and know exactly how to proceed in the event of a breach.
Businesses must stop assuming breaches only happen to other businesses. Large or small, all enterprises are subject to attack.
But Gold Comet is on a mission to mitigate data breach. Want a system that allows secure data collaboration and storage both internally and externally across hybrid/remote channels?
The security of your financial, personnel, and customer data is at stake. Let us provide you with the peace of mind that comes with knowing your information is protected.
Reach out to us via email at info@goldcomet.com or complete our Contact Form to set up a free consultation and learn more about the Gold Comet™ platform.
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