“Most departments view legal and compliance support as key to smart growth. They want to enable the business to balance risk with reward, and to modernize their own operations through process and technology improvements. But [Gartner] found a wide gap between the importance of initiatives and leaders’ confidence in their ability to solve them.” -Ross Gardiner, Director, Advisory, Gartner
If you’re like most busy executives, compliance is a priority — but it’s not necessarily at the top of your to-do list. Yet businesses of all sizes are governed by federal (and sometimes even international) regulations, and whether you like them or not, they’re in place for a good reason. As a business owner, it’s up to you to stay compliant and protect your precious data, but it’s a responsibility that nobody should shoulder alone.
You don’t have to be intimidated by the regulatory landscape when you’ve got technology on your side. With the right IT infrastructure in place, your company can navigate this tricky terrain while keeping everyone’s private information secure. Whether you’re running a healthcare testing facility, financial institution or a small to medium-sized business, you’re bound to face compliance challenges. From HIPAA to PCI and everything in between, compliance is simpler when you leverage technology to your advantage.
See what an industry-specific compliance plan looks like. Contact us today.
Step One: Conduct Research
Maintaining compliance can be intimidating if you don’t know where to begin. Figure out what regulations apply to your industry, what your current protocols are looking like and what you need to do to secure your business and safeguard your data going forward.
Step Two: Establish Firm Policies
When you have to protect patient health records, credit card information and other sensitive information from data breaches, make sure your employees follow the proper procedures. Educating your workforce via security awareness training is one option.
Step Three: Get Technical
Work with IT professionals to update your technology and determine what it will take to bring your business up to speed. Avoid falling into the treacherous zone of noncompliance by protecting your perimeter, including setting up firewalls and more.
Step Four: Encrypt Your Data
Hackers are hoping that you adopt new technology, use the default security setting and forget about it. Take proactive measures to keep personal details regarding medical records and financial transactions safe and abide by government regulations.
Step Five: Protect Hardware
When you’re conducting business virtually and making important online transactions, your data will be accessed remotely from countless devices. Mobile device management is the way to mitigate privacy concerns and stay compliant.
Step Six: Get an Assessment
Once you’ve done what you can on your end to tighten up your processes and procedures, it’s time to enlist the help of professionals. A free assessment or consultation can prepare you for a compliance audit and other potential obstacles.
After going through the above checklist, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed. But by putting in time and effort ahead of time, you’re giving your business the best chance of staying compliant — and staying in business. Remember, every regulation put in place is done so for a reason, and if you value your customers’ trust, do the right thing. Invest enough resources into protecting your valuable data to keep you covered no matter what comes your way.
Running a business is hard enough without worrying about compliance. Let a managed services provider take some stress off your plate by setting you up with the IT solutions you need at a price you can afford. When your good name and your clients’ personal data is on the line, what could be more important? Spend more time focusing on growing your brand and less time worrying about data theft with help from a trusted managed services provider (MSP). Connect with an expert today, and take compliance off the table tomorrow.
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Jim is the fearless leader of the Kinetic team. He founded Kinetic more than two decades ago with one simple purpose – make technology do what it promises to do. He has spent the last 25 years doing just that. Every IT system Jim mans is fully subservient to its owner. When he isn’t reveling in new technology, he spends time with his wife Julia and their two sons who are grown, married, and both expecting babies.
Meet CJ Jackson, a technical expert with 12 years in customer service and a tech journey sparked by the Apple Store Genius Bar. Recognized for patient issue resolution, CJ excels in teaching and empowering users. As Kinetic’s Configuration Specialist for 3 months, CJ is passionate about simplifying lives through tech. Beyond work, CJ explores cuisines, enjoys concerts, and embraces RomComs. The motto: Choose what’s right over what’s easy. CJ aspires to be remembered as a happy, eager, and passionate soul, inspired by daily opportunities to make a difference. Expect tech-savviness, culinary adventures, and unwavering commitment to everything done.
Julia Harryman, our resident efficiency specialist, has a unique background that is not typical of IT. Armed with a Master’s in Education for Technology Leadership, Julia has been an integral part of our team since 2012. Fueled by a constant supply of (insert current caffeinated beverage here) , she’s is a driving force behind our streamlined operations, ensuring that our company runs seamlessly.
Richie Owen is an adept IT professional known for his innovative problem-solving. With a strong background in security systems for financial institutions over the past nine years, Richie excels in resolving networking and cabling challenges. Off-duty, he’s a bass-playing musician and a dirt bike enthusiast. In his six months at Kinetic, Richie has demonstrated his expertise, further supported by almost a decade of experience in low-voltage systems. He values human connections, citing music as his perpetual motivation. Richie’s love for limeade with tea and his belief that people make life meaningful reflect his distinctive character.
Chad bought his very first Mac as a senior in high school and hasn’t looked back since. To him, pushing the limit involves figuring out just how far he can push the performance on a Mac and testing his own IT knowledge and capabilities at the same time. This Cowtown native is super handy when it comes to configuring and deploying business networks and is one of 14 people on the planet who actually knows where ALL of the wires go.