Compliance

What Cyber Laws Apply to Me?

It is becoming ever so clear that compliance isn't an easy task handled by the IT department, but that it's a team effort from all the departments. This makes it more difficult in regards to what's applicable so our VP of Compliance has broken down all the laws into simpler terms to be able to distinguish which law you must abide! 

One method of ensuring greater cybersecurity protection in a world of hacks and breaches: to undertake regular and programed cybersecurity audits and assessments.

The thought of an audit may strike fear in many individuals at all levels in an organization. Mostly, audits are routine and serve to ensure there is at the minimum a check-and-balance to satisfy whichever regulatory body requires it. When there are non-conformities found, it shouldn't be looked upon as a negative thing. 

This month, our VP of Compliance speaks to the benefits of non-conformities. 

2019: The Year of the Data Breach, Again…

“Magic 8 ball, will 2019 be the Year of the Data Breach…again?”

Our VP of Compliance says: All signs point to YES.

With the passing of laws like GDPR and PIPEDA, the Marriott Breach, New York Department of Financial Service’s cybersecurity rule deadlines, increased SEC enforcement, and increase in data breach lawsuits, by the time last December ended, there is no doubt that all industry specialists could not wait to label 2018 as the Year of the Data Breach. However, as we sit in the dawn of 2019, it is becoming ever increasingly clear, that 2019 will in fact be, the Year of the Data Breach, Again.

The New York State Department of Financial Services’ (DFS) mandatory cybersecurity requirements for financial services entities became effective on March 1st, 2017, with a two-year implementation period. The regulation requires all DFS regulated entities, subject to certain exemptions, to adopt the core requirements of a cybersecurity program. The final effective date for the regulation will be March 1, 2019, by which time, under section 500.11, DFS regulated entities are required to have written policies and procedures that are based on a risk assessment to ensure the security of nonpublic information and information systems that are accessed or held by third party service providers. 

DFS has come out with the dates all regulated entities and licensed persons must files various notices to the Superintendent. The final one being next month, February 15th 2019. 

IT Compliance vs. IT Security : “What’s the difference?”

It is without a doubt that 2018 has become the year of IT Compliance. With so many new laws becoming effective, including EU’S GDPR, California’s Data Privacy Law, and Canada’s PIPEDA, the line between security and compliance may seem easily blurred for IT professionals. So, the question becomes: How do we produce a comprehensive security program, while ensuring that we meet compliance obligations? However, there is one problem that surfaces repeatedly, regardless of which regulatory standard (e.g., PCI, HIPAA, etc.) your company must meet, and that is failing to understand the difference between compliance and security. Sometimes organizations think that these are one and the same to the point that they become so consumed by complicated regulations that they stop focusing on security altogether. This month's edition of Ask Our VP of Compliance will address the differences between IT Compliance and IT Security:

• IT Security: Explained
• IT Compliance: Explained
• What Are the Differences? And Why are Both Necessary?
• How do IT Compliance Management and IT Security Management Integrate?
• Becoming COMPLIANT and SECURE

This November, a new Canadian Data Privacy Law went into effect, called PIPEDA. (The Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act).

PIPEDA is similar to other privacy laws in that organizations "must obtain an individual’s consent when they collect, use or disclose that individual’s personal information. People have the right to access their personal information held by an organization. They also have the right to challenge its accuracy." Personal information—including identifiers such as name and age, medical records, financial data and even opinions and evaluations—that is collected under a commercial activity (business transactions, fundraising activities or memberships, for example) falls under PIPEDA protection. Personal information collected for government or by an employer are not covered.

Penalties are much lighter for PIPEDA than other privacy regulations. Data breaches are to be reported to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner (OPC). Failure to report a breach to both the OPC and to the affected customers or no record of total data breaches is kept can cost organizations fines as much as $100,000. One thing that makes PIPEDA stand out from other privacy regulations with a national or global scope is that it may not cover all of Canada.

It is important to note, that organizations that already meet the standards of GDPR and any U.S. laws are considered to be compliant with PIPEDA.

For more information, click here!

With Thanksgiving 2018 season upon us, this article will focus on 1 predominate question, “What is our VP of Compliance Thankful for This Year?”

Sometimes it’s easier to focus on what we don’t have, rather than what we do have. It’s important to take time out and remember all the things to be thankful for that many of us take for granted. This year, I am thankful for:

• Compliance as a Service (CaaS)
• Strong Passwords
• All 50 States Mandatory Breach Reporting
• Information Security Risk Analysis
• Bring Your Own Device Policies
• Penetration Testing
• Encrypted Electronic Communications
• Corporate Compliance Training
• Great Employees
• Unbeatable Clients

On May 25^th of 2018, GDPR Became effective, bringing a demanding standard for data protection and privacy rights for individuals from organizations around the world. Privacy International (PI), which is a charity that defends and promotes the right to privacy, accused seven firms of “disregarding data protection principles, including purpose limitation, data minimization and data accuracy”.

To prevent and protect other firms from being in the same situation, Digital Edge would like to state some general reminders about the law.

Cyber security is the protection of systems, networks and data from attack. Cyber security audits examine the threats, vulnerabilities and risks facing your organization and addresses mitigating these risks. When assessing your cyber security there are three key areas to take into account: people, processes and technology. Thorough audits should be performed regularly not only to protect your organization but also to comply with legislation regarding protection of personal data. Digital Edge's VP of Compliance answers the most important questions regarding audits: 

• What is the difference between a cyber security audit and a cyber security assessment?
• What do I need to have in place for Incident Response?
• What if users are my Biggest Security Risk?
• Why are Cyber Security Audits Important?

Digital Edge’s HIPAA Compliance Self-Assessment

In recent years, security breaches in the healthcare industry have become a lot more prevalent. The rise in data privacy violations, specifically infringements on the security of ePHIs (electronic Protected Health Information), has put millions of health records at risk. Surely, private data such as health information must always stay protected from unauthorized exposure, which is why HIPAA compliance and is critical.

HIPAA, or the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, was passed to set the standards for the protection of sensitive healthcare information. It involves setting administrative, technical, and physical safeguards for the security of data.

Unsure if you are following the law correctly? Check out Digital Edge’s HIPAA Compliance Self-Assessment here!

Don’t wait until it’s too late. Tomorrow starts now! Prioritize your compliance with HIPAA mandates, and establish a credible HIPAA program. Digital Edge is an expert in HIPAA standards. Our team will help to implement policies, standards and practices to cover all HIPAA requirements. 

Contact us today to further explore how our team can provide your business with an unparalleled cybersecurity  compliance solution, with our continued focus on Stability, Security, Efficiency and Compliance.