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IT Compliance for Philadelphia Businesses
Information technology continues to advance business practices and processes throughout the Philadelphia area. Companies throughout the region have discovered the importance of implementing information technology (IT), but they’ve also seen first-hand how IT compliance molds the ability to achieve a competitive edge. As the business world continues to expand in globalization, businesses are watching their networks grow, and there is an increasing need for finding ways to take the tediousness out of IT compliance processes.
But what exactly is IT compliance? Understanding how IT compliance differs from one industry to the next is the key to adhering to policies that uphold compliance without hindering operational processes.
What Is IT Compliance?
The first thing you need to know about IT compliance is that it does differ from IT security. There is a fine line between the two, but it does exist. More specifically, this line exists right at the intersection of creating advanced IT security practices that still maintain IT compliance with industry and employer-mandated regulations.
IT compliance drives companies to practice due diligence in relation to the methods it uses for protecting digital assets. But unlike IT security, IT compliance focuses on complying with contractual terms set into place by clients and government entities as well as security frameworks.
IT compliance methods come in multiple forms, with some of the most commonly used being:
- Creation of cybersecurity framework
- Access control
- Ongoing monitoring
- Incident response documentation
- Perimeter defense
- Advanced risk management practices
- Encryption
- Strict authentication policies
Do All Companies Need an IT Team?
The depth level of IT compliance that a company should dive into is dictated by the clients it wants to serve as well as the geographical locations of where the services are administered. In heavily regulated markets, like healthcare, IT compliance is incredibly stringent, meaning companies must continually update their IT compliance practices to play by the rules and stay in business. As one can imagine, healthcare and financial entities tend to have the greatest need for the highest levels of IT compliance.
When businesses and organizations fail to uphold the latest IT compliance practices, they risk losing sensitive information; this can be detrimental on both an internal and external basis. Cybersecurity is essential to IT compliance, making it a central focus among enterprise budgets. The potential consequences of losing data or having data stolen because of a lack of IT compliance often come in the form of hard lessons for companies. Two of the most detrimental ways businesses experience the downfall of poor IT compliance is a loss of money and massive reputational damage.
Is It Possible to Outsource IT-Related Tasks?
Yes, it is.
A company’s budget will, of course, influence the possibility of outsourcing IT compliance practices. If the funds exist, though, outsourcing proves of benefit for several reasons. IT compliance is difficult to navigate for companies that don’t specialize in IT security and compliance practices. And for many, it’s simply not possible to devote an internal team of workers to IT-compliance tasks. This is why so many companies, particularly in the Pittsburgh area, have turned to the services of external IT compliance teams. In doing so, a business can continue in its focus on its core operational processes while resting assured all IT compliance issues are being addressed in a timely manner.
Need help deciding whether to outsource IT compliance practices? Contact Menark Technologies today to see how the Pittsburgh area’s largest IT MSP provider has helped companies just like yours.
