Cyber security compliance is a core part of any business. Without procedures and regulations in place, it can make businesses weak and vulnerable to cyber-attacks. In this post, we will discuss how you can achieve cyber security compliance.
Why is it important to have cyber security compliance in your business?
There are several reasons why you should be cyber security compliant. However, one of the main reasons is that you should want to be compliant, to keep you, your company and your customers safe and secure while online. Without cyber security compliance, your website could become a weak spot for cybercriminals to attack, which could lead to your data being leaked and your customers’ information.
Other reasons you should be cyber security compliant include:
Substantial monetary fines if attacked or experience a data breach
Loss of reputation leading to loss of customers
Loss of respect and trust from customers, vendors, and other businesses
To find out more about this, read our blog post, Why should I be compliant?
How do I achieve cyber security compliance?
Being compliant with cyber security regulations isn’t about just doing one thing; it is carrying out multiple tasks to ensure not only your network but all your data and assets are safe from attack.
To help you, we have come up with some top tips on how to achieve security compliance.
Invest in the best cyber security tools you can afford
This is one of the biggest tips we can give you. When it comes to your budget, cyber security should have a significant portion as this will help protect your company from cyber attacks and hackers. Make sure you invest in the best tools you can and ensure you have total endpoint security. This means you need to protect all weak points and your data from malware, viruses, ransomware, and spyware, amongst many others.
Encrypt any data you send
Since GDPR was introduced this should be an automatic action, but make sure if your email or correspondence contains any sensitive data, that it is encrypted. Emails can be intercepted or sent to the wrong recipient, so you are adding that extra layer of protection for your company by encrypting them.
Make sure all your staff are cyber aware
Insider risks are a big issue for many companies, so make sure all your staff are trained in cyber security compliance. Ensure they know what to be aware of, how to spot a suspicious email or activity and the relevant reporting procedures. By sharing your knowledge with them you will be cutting down the risk of an insider attack by a significant amount.
Regularly monitor and assess user access permissions
This is another important tip. Ensure that user permissions are kept up to date so that employees who have left the company no longer have access to the systems. By keeping user permissions up to date, you will be significantly helping you and your company on the road to being cyber security compliant. Don’t forget to check employee access for those who have changed roles or received promotions, as they may no longer need access to certain systems.
Conduct a thorough risk assessment plan
Before you implement any further measures, create a thorough risk assessment plan. This will help you identify any potential weak points within your network and business so you can find security tools or other ways to protect these areas. A good risk assessment plan is worth investing in as it will show you where you need to protect and recommend how to make your network and devices as secure as possible.
Create a strong cyber security compliance policy
Alongside the implementation of these tools and carrying out training, you should also create a strong, clear cyber security compliance policy for your staff to follow.
By setting your company policy, it will be easier for your staff to understand the importance of this. It will also mean you can take relevant measures if this isn't followed.
Setting up a cyber security policy sets a precedent for how your staff needs to behave and interact when using company hardware. This should also answer the question of who is in charge of cyber security compliance, which is everyone.
You also need to take several smaller actions to achieve cyber security compliance, but these are some of the main factors. Keeping your network secure and compliant is tantamount to keeping your business running smoothly.
How Next can help
The Reveal Platform by Next was designed with humans in mind. It learns from our behavior and can detect patterns that may be suspicious but otherwise not picked up on until it is too late.
Our insider risk detection and response solution will run in the background while your company continues with its day-to-day tasks.
Did you know? 90% of data breaches are caused by human error.
By using Reveal we can reduce this risk. Using human-centric behavior, you will be alerted to any user or users who could be a threat to your cyber security compliance. This could be a staff member intending to commit a malicious act, or it could be someone who needs further training to correct their current ways of working.
Contact us today to find out how we can help support you with cyber security compliance.
Frequently asked questions
What are the key steps to achieving cybersecurity compliance?
How do regulatory requirements affect cyber security compliance?
Regulatory requirements, such as HIPAA and GDPR, define the standards that businesses must follow to protect their data. Some also mandate particular security controls and offer readymade best practices to improve your security posture.
All regulatory requirements ensure accountability through audits, fines, and penalties, so it’s crucial for organizations to stay compliant and avoid these costly consequences.
How can businesses stay updated with changing compliance regulations?
The best way to stay updated on compliance changes is to review updates from the regulatory bodies in your industry. Most have newsletters and alerts that inform companies of new or changed requirements. Industry groups, legal experts, and compliance tools will also help you track and manage regulatory changes.
Any time there’s a change, conduct a full audit to adhere to the most current regulations.
What tools and technologies can help with cyber compliance?
Solutions like the Reveal Platform by Next are the industry standard for preventing data loss and locking down your systems from unauthorized access. For a holistic approach to security and compliance, it’s also beneficial to use tools like compliance management for processes and documentation, access control solutions for identity and access management (IAM), automated compliance checkers, and incident response platforms.
