Small business compliance this year requires focus on security

This year, it will be critical for small businesses to consider compliance as part of an overall data loss protection strategy as opposed to an obligatory after-thought in order to prevent revenue loss from a disaster or attack.

According to Virtual Strategy, regulations on information governance will become stricter than ever in 2013 as more businesses use cloud computing. Data breaches put sensitive customer information and company revenue at risk, so investments in security measures are essential to business growth. In order to maintain consumer trust, Virtual Strategy expects that an increasing awareness of the negative impact that breaches have on businesses will force modifications that respond to tightening safety regulations.

Comprehensive security solutions are essential to maintaining competitive advantage, because breaches threaten the business reputation and opportunity for profit. SC Magazine explained that most companies tend to exercise the bare minimum in security strategies either because solutions are considered too expensive or organizations are in denial about vulnerability.

Scott Crawford, managing research director of security and risk management at Enterprise Management Associates, told the source that organizations need to think beyond regulations, as adhering to compliance initiatives often isn't sufficiently effective in preventing an attack. The entire security structure often requires an overhaul because hackers are one step ahead of federal and state regulations. Brian Berger commented on the enterprise security landscape for 2013 and beyond.

"Security is not stagnant in its design or capabilities," he said, "It needs to grow with an organization, or as requirements change based on the environment. This sets the building blocks in place for organizations to meet long-term compliance needs versus a short-term stop gap."

According to SC Magazine, risk management should be a focus for companies to complement security programs as a preventative measure as opposed to an end goal. As new threats are constantly being introduced, a risk management plan entails an emphasis on security rather than compliance.

Source: http://www.proofpoint.com/about-us/security-compliance-and-cloud-news/articles/small-business-compliance-this-year-requires-focus-on-security--800942293

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