Be IT Compliant or Be Ready to Pay the Price
Why IT Compliance Matters Today
IT compliance is more than a buzzword. You hear it often from IT teams, consultants, and business advisors. With so many responsibilities on your plate, it can be tempting to move compliance down the list. That choice can be costly. Compliance plays a direct role in your company’s security, stability, and long term survival.
The Risks of Ignoring Compliance
A survey of more than 365 senior executives by the Economist Intelligence Unit showed that many organizations lack strong compliance practices. Only a small number have complete strategies in place for IT, financial, risk, and legal compliance.
If large companies struggle, small and mid sized businesses face even more pressure. The question becomes simple. Why is compliance so difficult and what can your organization do to get ahead of it?
Compliance and Security Work Together
Doug Bordonaro of ThoughtSpot explains that compliance has always been a challenge, and today’s threat environment makes it even more important. While compliance is not the same as security, the two are tightly connected. If your company does not follow required rules, standards, and best practices, your security foundation becomes weak.
When a breach happens and investigators find poor compliance practices, your company can face major financial and legal consequences. Even worse, you can still be held liable for non compliance even when no breach occurs.
How Compliance Supports IT Security
Strong IT security includes:
- Understanding the correct regulatory and technical framework
- Putting the right tools, systems, and controls in place
- Monitoring these systems every day
Compliance strengthens your defense and reduces the chances of data loss, downtime, and legal exposure.
A Complex and Changing Compliance Landscape
Compliance is not a one time checklist. Requirements are constantly updated because:
- Software and systems change
- Cyber threats evolve
- State, federal, and global rules shift
Depending on your industry, you may need to follow one or more of these frameworks.
Common Compliance Frameworks
HIPAA
Covers companies that store or handle health information. It includes strong rules for privacy, security, breach response, and protection of electronic records.
PCI DSS
Applies to all businesses that process payment card data. It includes requirements for secure networks, security policy reviews, and regular testing.
SOX
Defines standards for maintaining financial records. Required for public companies or companies planning to go public or be acquired.
Additional Frameworks
Service Organization Control Reports and ISO 27000 are also widely used. Depending on your field, other compliance rules may apply.
Barriers to Staying Compliant
Today’s work environment adds many challenges. Remote work, mobile devices, and personal equipment (BYOD) open the door to new threats. Each device increases your risk.
Another major risk comes from software vulnerabilities. Hackers now target weaknesses in thirdparty tools. This makes fast and consistent patching essential.
Add in the growth of the Internet of Things (IoT), Electronic Data Interchanges (EDI), and vendor requirements, and the complexity multiplies. Research shows that about 63 percent of data breaches start with third party vendors.
It Is Not Only About Prevention
Your organization also needs a clear action plan for responding to possible or confirmed breaches. This is even more important when vendors are involved. A strong response plan depends on up to date backups and a partner that understands your systems.
How Realized Solutions Helps You Stay Compliant
Realized Solutions supports your business by helping you manage these changing requirements. Your internal IT team focuses on your day to day operations. While security is part of that work, ongoing compliance needs constant monitoring.
Our team provides proactive guidance, tools, and support to help you remain compliant. With one call, we help your organization lower risk and build a stronger security posture.
Partner With RSI for Peace of Mind
Staying compliant does not need to feel overwhelming. With RSI as your technology partner, your business can maintain compliance, strengthen security, and focus on growth.