12-2 Compliance Standards
Key Concepts
- General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
- Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
- Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS)
- Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX)
- Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA)
- Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA)
- Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA)
- International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 27001
- National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cybersecurity Framework
- Cloud Security Alliance (CSA) Security Guidance
- European Union (EU) Data Protection Directive
- California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA)
General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
GDPR is a comprehensive data protection law in the European Union (EU) that regulates how personal data is collected, processed, and stored. It emphasizes transparency, data minimization, and the rights of data subjects.
Example: A company must obtain explicit consent from users before collecting their personal data and must provide a clear privacy policy detailing how the data will be used.
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
HIPAA is a U.S. law that sets standards for protecting sensitive patient health information from being disclosed without the patient's consent or knowledge. It applies to healthcare providers, insurers, and clearinghouses.
Example: A hospital must ensure that patient records are encrypted when stored and transmitted, and only authorized personnel can access them.
Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS)
PCI DSS is a set of security standards designed to ensure that all companies that accept, process, store, or transmit credit card information maintain a secure environment. It includes requirements for security management, policies, procedures, and more.
Example: An online retailer must regularly scan its network for vulnerabilities and ensure that all credit card data is encrypted during transmission.
Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX)
SOX is a U.S. law that enhances corporate governance and financial disclosure. It includes provisions for strengthening internal controls and ensuring accurate financial reporting. It applies to publicly traded companies.
Example: A public company must implement internal controls to prevent fraudulent financial reporting and must document these controls for audit purposes.
Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA)
GLBA is a U.S. law that requires financial institutions to explain how they share and protect customers' private information. It also requires them to safeguard sensitive data.
Example: A bank must provide customers with a privacy notice detailing how their information will be used and must implement security measures to protect customer data.
Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA)
COPPA is a U.S. law that governs the online collection of personal information from children under 13. It requires parental consent before collecting, using, or disclosing such information.
Example: A website aimed at children must obtain verifiable parental consent before collecting any personal information from children.
Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA)
FISMA is a U.S. law that requires federal agencies to implement information security policies and procedures to protect their information and information systems.
Example: A federal agency must conduct regular security assessments and implement risk management practices to protect its data.
International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 27001
ISO 27001 is an international standard for information security management. It provides a framework for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving an information security management system (ISMS).
Example: A global company must implement an ISMS that includes policies, procedures, and controls to protect its information assets.
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cybersecurity Framework
The NIST Cybersecurity Framework is a set of guidelines for improving critical infrastructure cybersecurity. It provides a prioritized, flexible, and cost-effective approach to managing and reducing cybersecurity risk.
Example: A critical infrastructure provider must implement the framework's core functions (Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, Recover) to manage cybersecurity risks.
Cloud Security Alliance (CSA) Security Guidance
CSA Security Guidance provides best practices for securing cloud computing environments. It helps organizations assess and mitigate risks associated with cloud services.
Example: A company using cloud services must implement the CSA guidance to ensure that its data and applications are secure in the cloud.
European Union (EU) Data Protection Directive
The EU Data Protection Directive is a predecessor to GDPR. It sets out rules for the protection of personal data within the EU. It has been largely superseded by GDPR but is still relevant in some contexts.
Example: A company operating in the EU must comply with the directive's requirements for data protection and privacy, similar to GDPR.
California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA)
CCPA is a U.S. law that gives California residents the right to know what personal data is being collected about them and the right to delete that data. It applies to businesses that collect data from California residents.
Example: A company must provide a clear privacy policy detailing the types of personal data collected and must allow California residents to request deletion of their data.
Examples and Analogies
Think of GDPR as a strict privacy policy for a global neighborhood, ensuring everyone's personal information is protected. HIPAA is like a secure vault for medical records, ensuring only authorized personnel can access them. PCI DSS is like a security guard for credit card transactions, ensuring they are safe from theft. SOX is like an auditor checking the books of a public company to ensure no fraud. GLBA is like a bank's promise to protect your financial information. COPPA is like a parent's consent form for children's online activities. FISMA is like a government agency's security protocol to protect its data. ISO 27001 is like a global security standard for information protection. NIST Cybersecurity Framework is like a risk management plan for critical infrastructure. CSA Security Guidance is like a safety manual for cloud services. The EU Data Protection Directive is like an older version of GDPR, still relevant in some areas. CCPA is like a privacy bill of rights for California residents, ensuring they can control their personal data.
Insightful Value
Understanding Compliance Standards is crucial for organizations to ensure they meet legal and regulatory requirements, protect sensitive information, and maintain trust with their customers. By adhering to standards like GDPR, HIPAA, PCI DSS, SOX, GLBA, COPPA, FISMA, ISO 27001, NIST Cybersecurity Framework, CSA Security Guidance, EU Data Protection Directive, and CCPA, organizations can mitigate risks, avoid legal penalties, and enhance their overall security posture.