7 Strategies for CISOs to Manage Compliance Efficiently

From GDPR in Europe to CCPA in California, compliance officers and CISOs face a deluge of regulations, standards, and requirements. With every country, industry, and regulator demanding different levels of control, how can teams manage these complex requirements efficiently?

In a recent virtual panel discussion, I had the opportunity to join Ashish Tandon, Founder & CEO of Indusface, where I highlighted essential strategies for CISOs to navigate these compliance complexities efficiently.

The Compliance Alphabet Soup

Compliance has become a tangled web of acronyms. Every region has its own regulations—GDPR in the EU, CCPA in California, and a multitude of sector-specific requirements. In addition, industries like finance, healthcare, and education come with their own set of rules. The task is further complicated when businesses operate globally. Each country, even within regions like the EU, imposes unique regulations.

To further complicate matters, multiple regulatory bodies in each country impose their own standards, such as PCI DSS for payments or HIPAA for healthcare data in the U.S. The result is a mountain of compliance obligations that is difficult to manage.

To streamline compliance efforts and enhance efficiency, consider the following compliance strategies:

1. Unify Compliance with a Common Framework

One of the first steps in managing diverse regulatory requirements is to create a unified control framework. This approach consolidates multiple compliance requirements into a single framework that can be managed efficiently.

Rather than treating each regulation separately, CISOs can map overlapping requirements and establish common minimum program. For example, password security is a universal requirement across many regulations—some demand a nine-character password, others fifteen, and some even higher for sensitive data.

By adopting the highest standard (e.g., a 25-character password), organizations can ensure they comply with multiple regulations at once, reducing the need for duplicated efforts.

2. Leverage Automation with a GRC System

Gone are the days when spreadsheets and manual tracking were enough to manage compliance. For effective compliance management, implementing a Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) system is essential. A GRC system allows organizations to automate key tasks, such as control testing, evidence gathering, and workflow management.

By automating these processes, CISOs can reduce manual work, avoid errors, and ensure timely responses to audits and customer requests. Additionally, a GRC system can provide real-time insights into compliance status across the organization, helping CISOs stay ahead of regulatory changes and requirements.

3. Prioritize Documentation

One of the most critical elements of compliance is documentation. No matter how well an organization implements its controls, without proper documentation, regulators and auditors will not accept the efforts. Every policy, standard, and procedure must be well-documented and kept up to date. This includes creating templates, checklists, and guidelines to ensure consistency.

For instance, starting with ISO 27001 can cover 60–70% of global requirements, allowing organizations to address gaps for other standards more easily. By aligning documentation to industry best practices, CISOs can create a solid foundation for managing compliance across multiple frameworks.

4. Test Once, Use Many Times

Compliance testing can be time-consuming and resource-intensive, especially when different regulations require varying testing frequencies. Instead of testing multiple times for different regulations, CISOs should adopt a “test once, use many” approach.

By conducting a comprehensive test that covers multiple requirements, organizations can avoid duplication and streamline their compliance processes. For example, testing for SOC 2 compliance can often meet requirements for other regulations such as PCI DSS. This approach not only saves time but also reduces the risk of missing key compliance deadlines.

5. Control Self-Assurance for Ongoing Compliance

To maintain continuous compliance, CISOs can implement control self-assurance practices. This method, common in the financial sector, ensures that compliance checks are performed regularly, without the need for external auditors.

For example, many banks run daily compliance checks at the close of business, ensuring that all necessary controls are in place before the next day begins. By embedding self-assurance into everyday operations, organizations can stay on top of compliance requirements, detect issues early, and avoid costly non-compliance penalties.

6. Respond Efficiently to Customer Requirements

In today’s global business environment, customers often have their own specific compliance needs. For CISOs, it’s important to respond quickly and efficiently to customer inquiries about compliance. A slow or incomplete response can raise doubts about an organization’s ability to meet compliance standards. By leveraging automated systems like a GRC platform and ensuring proper documentation is readily available, CISOs can provide fast and accurate responses to customer requests. This not only builds trust but also ensures that compliance becomes a competitive advantage rather than a burden.

7. Adopt a Risk-Based Approach

Prioritize compliance activities based on risk assessments. Identify areas where non-compliance could have the most significant impact and allocate resources accordingly. This method ensures that efforts are focused on mitigating the most critical compliance risks.

Implementing automation, establishing a common framework, and prioritizing documentation can significantly reduce the compliance burden while ensuring adherence to regulations. By using these strategies, organizations can navigate the complex compliance landscape more effectively.

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