Is Your Resilience Ready for Evolving Compliance?
In today’s fast-paced world, the landscape for privacy professionals is changing rapidly. Just ten years ago, our primary concern was ensuring transparency in how organizations collected personal data. We focused on safeguarding this information, advising on best practices, and handling any breaches that might occur. While I still handle these responsibilities, my role has expanded significantly. Now, it’s not just about keeping personal data private; I also need to manage threats that could impact the effectiveness and availability of services that process this data.
This evolution means I spend considerable time consulting with development teams, ensuring that our products are not only functional but also resilient against disruptions. It’s vital to measure how service outages affect our users, determine when incidents need to be reported, and craft the necessary responses. I am not the only one noticing this shift; according to a report by the International Association of Privacy Professionals, more than 80% of privacy professionals are now tasked with responsibilities beyond their traditional roles. Cybersecurity regulatory compliance is increasingly becoming a key part of our jobs.
Navigating New Regulations
The change in the role of privacy professionals reflects a significant shift in the regulatory environment surrounding data. Over the past two years, an array of new regulations has emerged, making resilience and risk management as critical as data privacy. Starting with the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), these regulations prioritize protecting individuals from data compromises.
Compliance with GDPR, the California Consumer Privacy Act, and similar regulations has meant respecting data subjects’ rights, limiting personal data collection, and safeguarding information from unauthorized access.
Three New Regulations Shaping Compliance
Since 2023, three major regulations have come into effect, marking a substantial shift in compliance requirements: the Network and Information Security 2 (NIS2) directive, the Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA), and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Cybersecurity Rule.
- NIS2 aims to bolster digital resilience and security across 18 sectors, challenging organizations to conduct thorough risk assessments and respond swiftly to incidents.
- DORA is focused on enhancing risk management within the financial sector.
- The SEC’s rule raises security and reporting standards for publicly traded companies in the U.S.
Of these, NIS2 stands out due to its broad implications across industries. It emphasizes the necessity for organizations to ensure visibility of all IT assets, fortify software supply chains, secure network systems, and address vulnerabilities.
Wider Security, Privacy, and Resilience Requirements
NIS2 expands the scope of security, privacy, and resilience requirements beyond its predecessor, the original NIS directive. It now includes sectors like wastewater management, space, public administration, and IT services. It has also introduced new categories, necessitating proactive compliance.
Under NIS2, medium-sized organizations in essential sectors must comply with stringent security standards, facing hefty fines for non-compliance—up to 2% of global revenue for “essential” firms. This adds pressure to privacy teams, which play a crucial role in meeting these requirements.
Leveraging Existing Privacy Investments
For many organizations, adapting to stringent cybersecurity regulations is a new challenge, especially while managing complex IT environments. However, there is good news. Many existing privacy initiatives can aid in achieving compliance. For instance, NIS2’s requirements to inventory IT assets can be supported by existing data maps developed for privacy purposes.
Privacy teams are pivotal in handling incidents under NIS2. We collaborate with observability teams to determine reportable incidents while ensuring we’re prepared for regulatory requirements.
Ensuring Compliance Without Extra Complexity
While building on existing foundations is beneficial, meeting NIS2’s standards comes with unique technological challenges. Business continuity relies on the uninterrupted availability of applications, necessitating measures against a range of attacks, like DDoS attacks.
Furthermore, organizations now bear more accountability for the security of third-party applications and underlying software. As penalties for non-compliance loom large, core cybersecurity measures—such as robust access controls, encryption, and multi-factor authentication—become even more vital.
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution for these challenges. Instead, a strategic mix of technology, policy, and innovative ways to protect against threats is necessary. Choosing the right security solutions can help simplify compliance and control costs.
Key Questions for Cybersecurity Solutions
When assessing cybersecurity solutions in light of NIS2, consider these essential questions:
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Versatility: Are these solutions adaptable for complex IT environments? Using multiple point solutions may complicate security management.
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Visibility: Do the solutions simplify the process of inventorying assets, identifying threats, and generating reports?
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Business Continuity: Are the solutions designed to reduce downtime and protect web applications effectively?
As compliance continues to evolve, ensuring your organization is resilient is crucial. Embracing change and fortifying your approach to data privacy and cybersecurity is essential in today’s environment.
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Original Text – https://www.techradar.com/pro/compliance-is-evolving-is-your-resilience-ready