Seventy-three per cent of consumers are more concerned about their data security and privacy than just a few years ago, a survey revealed.
Compliance frameworks and privacy regulations are a concern for businesses, inviting bureaucratic roadblocks hindering their day-to-day operations. It’s an additional weightage to the existing load their departments carry, from engineers and IT analysts to legal staff.
A survey revealed, 73% of consumers are more concerned about their data security and privacy than just a few years ago. The report unveiled some thought-provoking insights on data privacy, security compliance and the risks of ignoring them.
But before we begin, let’s dig deeper and understand how Douglas Ljung Compliance Manager at AdCellerant, segments the department-wise role for adhering to these compliance policies.
Is Compliance More Exciting Than a Butter Dish?
Emphasising his thoughts on how various departments work, Douglas simplified the approach of data privacy and security compliance for enhanced productivity and revenue. Here is all that he had to say:
- Engineers must follow rigorous development and testing protocols (SDLC), regularly implement and monitor security measures, and patch systems, diverting their focus from core development tasks.
- IT staff should configure and maintain security on company-issued devices, conduct regulatory audits, and manage data access controls.
- Legal teams need to interpret complex regulations, draft policies, review contracts, and ensure the company’s adherence to applicable laws.
Further adding to his insights, Douglas said, “Compliance can be a snooze-fest for those uninitiated in its intricacies. Whenever I mention my job title, it wipes away the sparkle from people’s eyes, making a chat with a butter dish sound more appealing. Yes, a butter dish.”
How Should Businesses Deal With Potential Risks To Data Security And Privacy Compliance?
Dealing with the potential risks of data breaches can be a park’s walk for some organisations, while it can be a castle to achieve for a few. But what’s more important is to embrace privacy laws such as GDPR, CCPA, and HIPAA while integrating their requirements within a globally recognised compliance framework like ISO 27001:2022.
Furthermore, it will uncover a plethora of opportunities to streamline organisational processes and bolster cybersecurity. Treating compliance just as a checkbox or a necessary evil might lead to over-commitments that can backfire when it’s time for validation.
GDPR-Compliant Approach: A Transformational Journey for Marketing Landscapes
AdCellera’s Compliance Manager, Douglas Ljung, uncovered some key benefits of implementing a GDPR-compliant approach, such as:
- Encourages organisations to review and optimise data handling practices, improving data accuracy and organisation-wide efficiencies
- Enables GDPR-compliant companies to have more targeted and effective marketing strategies by focusing on customers who have consented to receive communications
- Prompting businesses to adopt innovative technologies and practices for prioritising data protection
Is Ignoring Compliance Guidelines An Upcoming Risk For Businesses?
Ignoring or overlooking the crucial GDPR, CCPA, and HIPAA guidelines can lead to consequences that transcend mere legal ramifications, jeopardising the trust of clients, stakeholders, and the foundation of any business.
Adding various scenarios to the report, Douglas mentioned a few outcomes of ignoring data security compliances. Enlisted below are a few of them:
- Clients’ sensitive data being compromised due to inadequate security measures or a breach of confidentiality through your digital service provider, tarnishing and compromising the brand’s identity
- The ripple effect negatively impacts relations between customers and partners, causing irreversible damage to brand loyalty
- Levied penalties and fines companies had to undergo due to data breaches
“Your business meticulously adheres to data privacy and security guidelines, but your digital service provider fails to do so. The repercussions, from legal ramifications to reputational damage, extend beyond the non-compliant partner, amplifying the risks for your business and potentially making you liable for associated consequences,” Douglas added.
Summing it up, Data breaches and cyber vulnerabilities are a concern within organisations. Thus, it becomes essential to follow the best practices as a defence mechanism against these cyber threats. Adherence to GDPR, CCPA, and HIPAA compliances during the development of any technology is the first step.
