You are probably already aware that the main goal of cybersecurity regulations are to protect both data accessibility and confidentiality too. Many organisations struggle to stay compliant with these regulations, particularly when it comes to knowing which standards are applicable to their business. Here at Reality Solutions, we thought it would be a good idea to break down some of the confusing acronyms to help you gain a better understanding. After all, the last thing you want as a business are fines, financial loss, data breaches and a potentially damaged reputation.

Consider The Areas In Which You Operate

The first thing to establish is the regulations that your business needs to meet. Now you don’t need to comply with every single cybersecurity standard, but the basics need to be covered. For example, if you have a customer based in the EU, you need to ensure your business complies with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). If you are providing critical services, then you need to comply with the Network and Information Systems (NIS) Regulations.

If you are unsure as to how to stay compliant, and which rules to follow, a managed IT provider such as ourselves may be the addition your business needs. We can provide you with the following:

1. Assess security risks within your business – highlighting potential vulnerabilities and threats.
2. Advise you on the regulations relevant to your industry.
3. Ensure the correct policies and procedures are in place to ensure compliance.
4. Implement intrusion detection, firewalls, data encryption and more.
5. Provide ongoing support & training to ensure up-to-date compliance.

Data That Is Subject To Compliance

As a business owner, it is your responsibility to ensure sensitive data doesn’t reach the wrong hands. Some examples of sensitive data include:

• Personally identifiable data e.g. first name, date of birth, address, National Insurance number
• Financial information e.g. bank details, credit card details, PIN numbers
• Protected health information e.g. medical records, prescription details

The majority of cybersecurity laws revolve around data protection, so you need to be aware of the types of sensitive data that could be stored in your organisation. By putting the correct security measures in place, you will protect your business from both reputational and financial risk.

Strengthen Risk-Mitigation Policies & Procedures

It is essential to have policies and procedures in place to mitigate the risk of a cyberattack, and these are also essential for some compliance regulations. The policies should identify both external and internal risks, with the correct processes in place in order to prevent risk – such as penetration testing.

Conducting regular risk and vulnerability assessments can help to identify any weaknesses in your business’s infrastructure, allowing you to resolve any potential risks before hackers get there first! For more information on the cybersecurity services we provide here at Reality Solutions, contact our experts today.

*This article contains general information in order to assist all of our customers and is meant for guidance only – there are no guarantees that the information we provide will be suitable for your particular needs. If you require specific assistance, we recommend that you seek professional guidance on your individual circumstances. Reality Solutions are in no way responsible for any loss or damage arising from any information contained within our articles.