By 2021, more than 230 million consumers in the United States are expected to browse products, compare options, or buy items online at least once. This growing trend extends far beyond e-commerce, with consumers engaging with brands online across industries. In response, brands need to be prepared with a secure IT infrastructure to protect customers and themselves.
With the growing prevalence of digital commerce, the rise of cybercrimes has also attracted the attention of consumers and businesses alike. From high-profile data breaches to smaller threats, cybersecurity will cost an estimated $6 trillion annually by 2021, doubling from $3 trillion in 2015.
Technological innovation has opened many doors for brands, with cloud computing making it easier to engage consumers and utilize a remote workforce. However, this also requires teams to ensure they provide the protection necessary to keep data and information safe.
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many businesses to adopt more distributed workforces, and they’re seeing high rates of success. Our Future Workforce Report found that 56% of hiring managers reported that the shift to remote work went better than expected.
With businesses turning toward technology to help them manage these remote workforces and handle day-to-day operations, IT compliance concerns take center stage. Here, we’ll explain several common issues and the solutions that every company should consider to provide their businesses with maximum protection.
Understanding IT compliance: Process and protection
IT compliance incorporates all parts of an organization. At a fundamental level, it’s often driven by regulatory commissions that demand set procedures to secure the data collected by businesses for their customers.
Compliance needs to be viewed as a comprehensive framework that all levels of management operate within. This framework needs to place the security of the business and customers at the forefront, recognizing that this level of protection is what allows business growth and development to happen.
A quality IT compliance system will bring several different parts that help businesses mature and thrive in the digital ecosystem. Here are four key benefits and functions that you can achieve by developing a strong IT compliance strategy.
- Earn the trust of customers: To conduct business online, customers must place highly sensitive information in the hands of businesses, including credit card numbers and contact information. Brands that regularly demonstrate their IT compliance and safety protocols inspire trust, which encourages purchases.
- Defend key data from bad actors: Bad actors regularly compromise sensitive information held by businesses, which can put customers and the company at risk. Strong IT compliance helps to avoid this catastrophe.
- Establish consistent policy guidelines: Consistent policy guidelines help ensure that all people at an organization understand what is expected of them to protect important information and data, thus increasing compliance.
- Protect company investments: Cybersecurity breaches can result in massive costs for businesses, ranging from fines for lack of compliance to compensation for customers and the resulting investigations. Quality IT from the beginning helps to avoid this situation and save money in the long term.
5 common IT compliance issues and how to solve them
To achieve the functions and benefits of proper IT compliance, you need to familiarize yourself with some of the most common compliance issues that businesses encounter. Knowing how to handle these potential problems can help organizations take the steps necessary to protect themselves.
Here are five issues that organizations frequently encounter.
1. Workers using their own devices
Allowing workers to use their own devices for business tasks can provide brands with convenience and cost savings—particularly when working with independent professionals. Without the need to buy the necessary equipment for the team, your company can funnel money in other directions.
However, when the business does not own the device in question, a heightened security risk can arise. The devices used for business purposes may have sensitive data, information, and logins stored on them, potentially opening opportunities for cybercriminals to compromise the organization.
IT compliance solution: Fortunately, there are means that organizations can employ that will help them avoid potential problems with personal devices. Businesses connect anyone working on data-sensitive projects with a trained IT team that can establish controls and protocols for the information accessed through their device. It also makes sense to have all workers use their own devices to have device-lock passwords.
2. Keeping data secure with distributed teams
Brands that take advantage of distributed teams may find that they need to share sensitive data or information to help remote workers do their jobs effectively. However, when this information is shared, it opens up new opportunities for the data to be intercepted or for the information to be accessed on unsecured devices.
IT compliance solution: When working with distributed teams, you will need to communicate with your IT department to establish regulations regarding sensitive data. Upwork’s platform can be used to help protect your data alongside your team’s existing guidelines regarding sensitive data.
3. Abiding by government laws regarding data
A variety of laws and regulations surrounding how businesses use the data that customers supply them. These rules often dictate who should have access to the data, the protection it needs, and the type of data that brands can collect about their customers.
Brands will need to familiarize themselves with all of the laws applicable to their organization. Regulations and laws in various localities address the use of:
- Credit card information
- Private medical data
- Protecting shareholders from accounting errors and fraud
- The sensitive financial information of customers
- The collection of sensitive customer information and who it can be given or sold to
These are just a few government regulations that brands will need to investigate and implement to ensure compliance.
IT compliance solution: For brands to maintain compliance in this area, they’ll need to make sure they remain abreast of the latest changes facing their industry. For example, anyone who does business in Europe needed to implement sweeping changes in how they collect and use data with the passage of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Tasking IT teams with following the latest developments and ensuring that IT protocols keep up with changes can help you maintain compliance.
4. Implementing software updates
Software updates often help to patch potential holes in security systems and can keep information more secure. However, these updates come regularly, and it can be a challenge to stay on top of keeping systems in peak condition.
Leaving a system neglected can create more potential avenues for cybercriminals to gain access. It can also leave your business more liable if there’s a breach, as you could be viewed as neglecting the care of the software.
IT compliance solution: To remain compliant, prioritize regular software updates and direct the IT team to ensure they are completed promptly.
5. Inadequate IT support
Establishing rules and procedures to prevent IT breaches is only the first part of protecting your company from cybercriminals and IT compliance issues. The efforts you make should also be protected by a strong IT support team, capable of managing your devices, software, and programs. This IT team can help troubleshoot issues that arise, provide advice about emerging threats, and guide you toward the best practices.
IT compliance solution: Bringing in talented IT professionals who can manage these responsibilities can sound challenging. You want to prioritize finding an IT professional with the skills and understanding needed to help you manage your security. With Upwork, you have access to a global workforce, including reviews and experience information, for independent IT professionals who can help you build the team you need.
Conquer IT compliance with the right professionals
IT compliance will become an increasingly critical component of successful businesses as digital and technological potential in the workplace becomes a focal point for modern companies. Understanding some of the most important issues facing IT teams at your organization, and what you and your business can do to protect your information, is the first step in maintaining your security.
