The government is tightening data protection regulations in all industries.
On May 12, President Biden signed an Executive Order on Improving the Nation’s Cybersecurity to support our nation’s cybersecurity and to protect the critical infrastructure and Federal Government networks.
Although this EO is specifically meant for federal government networks there are numerous other mandates that regulate cybersecurity across the sectors. For instance, the US government mandates compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), and the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA) for financial institutions.
These days compliance is essential for companies in all sectors. But it can be difficult to keep up-to-date as the rules are ever-changing. However, staying on top of the varying mandates is crucial if you want to avoid sanctions, fees, and other legal ramifications of a data breach.
Lack of legal expertise is hurting SMBs
As cyber threats evolve and expand on an almost daily basis so do the laws and mandates regulating data protection, making it very difficult for SMBs to stay up-to-date and implement them. Changes are happening so fast and furious these days that you might find yourself chasing after something that isn’t reliable anymore.
Even the US Government admits that it’s difficult for small businesses to follow the DFARS framework. For many SMBs the root of the problem often lies in the lack of in-house resources and expertise to implement the compliance requirements appropriate for their particular business.
The best solution would be to have a long-term compliance management solution in place.
Outsourcing compliance responsibilities allows you to focus on your business
Your small- or medium-sized business operates for the sake of growth and providing your customer base with excellent service. Implementing cybersecurity and compliance regulations is not what drives your business. Figuring out which data protection rules and regulations are applicable to your business and abiding by them is however a huge responsibility for your company and it needs your attention starting yesterday.
Unfortunately, it’s probably not like you have a surplus of employees that can handle this part of running your business. In a company with limited staff, you’ll need every single member of your team to stay focused on their primary responsibilities to help you move your business forward. John from accounting probably has better things to do than to google “how to remove a virus from my desktop” (plus, that would be beyond scary).
The problem is that finding someone in-house who is qualified and able to focus on network security is neither easy nor cheap.
This is where outsourcing to an MSP comes in. Outsourcing your IT security to a managed service provider is an invaluable solution for any business lacking the resources and expertise in this area. It’s a cost-effective way that allows you and your staff to remain focused and on task while having access to the experts and expertise you need to keep your business secure and compliant on an on-demand basis.
A managed services provider (MSP) is available 24/7 to make sure that your systems are protected and that your cybersecurity strategy is in compliance with your obligations. They use state-of-the-art technologies to constantly monitor your incoming and outgoing traffic and work behind the scenes to safeguard your network from cyber threats. A proper MSP is a true partner in your business and knows what your business needs to stay safe, secure, and away from fines and legal trouble.
Dodging cyberattacks on your business is becoming more and more difficult, hackers are getting more brazen and with the increased involvement of nation-state actors, you can expect government regulations to increase and become even stricter. If you prefer not to take any chances, partner with Meeting Tree Computer, your Hudson Valley cyber security services firm, and let our experts handle all your compliance issues. Call us today.
