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In the dynamic landscape of data security and compliance, organizations are often challenged to align their strategies effectively.
Recognizing the interplay between these two crucial aspects, Terry Ray, a distinguished data security expert at Imperva, shared valuable insights during a presentation at the Governance, Risk, and Control Conference in Las Vegas. Co-hosted by ISACA and the Institute of Internal Auditors, the event shed light on the convergence of data security and compliance measures.
Ray, who holds the positions of Senior Vice President of Data Security and Field Chief Technology Officer at Imperva, unveiled a strategic roadmap titled "Five Steps to Stronger Data Defense and Compliance." His discourse centered on the pivotal role that specific data categories play in regulatory requirements. Ray pointed out that by incorporating regulated data, such as birth records, into an organization's overarching cybersecurity framework, they can significantly advance their journey toward achieving data compliance.
One of the standout observations Ray shared was the remarkable overlap between data security and compliance expectations. Regulations like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in Europe and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act harbor similar stipulations concerning data protection, access, monitoring, and reporting. Despite the multitude of regulations, Ray emphasized that a substantial portion of their demands can be satisfied by diligently adhering to five fundamental steps.
In the complex realm of data security, legal and compliance professionals are increasingly becoming key stakeholders in cybersecurity endeavors, working alongside technical experts. Ray accentuated that organizations have the flexibility to adopt various established cybersecurity frameworks, such as the renowned National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) guidelines or industry best practices, to fulfill regulatory expectations and fortify data protection.
Ray distilled the process of enhancing data security and inching closer to compliance into five overarching tasks:
1. Data Discovery and Classification: The initial phase involves pinpointing the data's locations, whether it resides in cloud environments, on-premises systems, or legacy platforms. Equally important is classifying the data into categories such as regulated, sensitive, or non-critical.
2. Encryption: Ray highlighted the significance of encryption for safeguarding sensitive data. While certain data might already be encrypted, a heterogeneous data landscape can lead to pockets of unencrypted and vulnerable information.
3. Access Management: Delving into data access, Ray emphasized the need to scrutinize who currently accesses the data and determine appropriate access rights. Insider threats make it crucial to monitor data access and establish breach response protocols.
4. Risk Measurement: Ray identified a critical yet often overlooked step—measuring the risk of data breaches and noncompliance. He acknowledged the lack of a standardized industry algorithm for risk scoring but expressed optimism about its future development.
5. Monitoring and Reporting: Finally, organizations need to implement robust monitoring mechanisms and reporting structures to ensure continuous compliance and security.
While these five steps provide a solid foundation, Ray also highlighted the potential need for additional measures such as network security enhancements, identity controls, and procedures aligned with privacy regulations.
Ray's insightful presentation underscored the essential synergy between data security and compliance. By strategically integrating these domains and diligently following established frameworks, organizations can establish a robust data security program that not only mitigates risks but also fulfills regulatory expectations. As the data security landscape continues to evolve, Ray's guidance offers a beacon for organizations seeking to navigate these intricacies successfully.
By fLEXI tEAM
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