Learn the Difference Between Security & Compliance
If you aren’t a tech geek, you probably haven't considered there's a difference between security and compliance when setting up your digital safety net.
Believe it or not, when it comes to IT, these terms are not interchangeable. Most business owners make the mistake of focusing on either security or compliance when making digital security decisions.
*gulp*
Don’t make the same mistake. Security and compliance share a common goal: to manage risks, but they cannot operate without one another!
Like any good pair, security and compliance should complement one another. Where one comes up short, the other fills the gap. Here's how these two terms differ:
Security
When we say "security," we mean Information Security (IS). Security means protecting the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of your business assets.
An effective security program includes physical, technical, and administrative controls that meet those objectives. Security refers to the approaches that protect your network. Think firewalls, content filters, and restricted access.
In other words, security is whatever it takes to keep your organization’s assets protected.
But, just because your assets are secure doesn’t mean they are compliant.
Compliance
The main focus of compliance, on the other hand, is to meet the requirements of a third party. This third party could be a government entity. (It's less scary than you think, we promise!)
For instance, you might be doing business in a country with strict privacy laws or dealing in heavily-regulated markets such as healthcare or finance. In such instances, you may have to follow HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) or SOX ( Sarbanes-Oxley Act) regulations.
Lastly, you could have a client with high confidentiality standards. In which case, you must play by their rules or lose their business or trust.
The primary function of compliance is to manage any risks associated with policies, regulations, and laws required in your business dealings.
But, compliance doesn’t always achieve security.
See where we're going with this?
Implementing a system to keep your assets secure and compliant is the best way to protect your business.
Intertwining both components will keep your data safe and your integrity and reputation intact. Getting a formal assessment of your specific security and compliance needs from a reputable security team can help you identify areas that need attention or strengthening.
Putting an equal focus on security and compliance will enable your business to meet the standards for its market and show your customers that you are willing to go above and beyond to deliver digital security.
Today’s security threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and regulatory environments are expanding more than ever before. In the small margins of today’s business world, a failure in security can break your business.
We know how frustrating it is to deal with technical jargon like "security" and "compliance" while trying to keep your business safe.
The Oxman Group offers simple security solutions to protect your business assets and ensure industry compliance. Schedule a free consultation so you aren’t worried about anyone coming after your business.
