As of March 1, an aggressive new data protection regulation has gone into effect in Massachusetts. The preventative nature of this regulation makes it unique from others that have come before it. While it is specific to the state of Massachusetts, it has a national reach as businesses, regardless of where they are located, are required to protect the personal data of the state's residents. Businesses are now required to have a security plan in place that ensures the encryption of this personal data while it is stored and during the wireless transmission of the data.
This new regulation underscores the need for real-time, proactive prevention, and provides an opportunity for enterprises to take a look at their security databases from the inside out to determine if the systems in place will help them comply. There are a few key factors that should be taken into consideration when striving to achieve compliance.
First, though it is important to protect sensitive data from outside threats, it is also imperative that the insider risk is addressed. Knowing who has access to what and being able to control, verify and make changes to access policies in real time is essential.
Second, once policies have been put in place, enterprises will be required to prove their compliance with these regulations. There is technology available that allows the creation of specific and customized reports to ensure accuracy and save companies time and money in the process.Third, one of the most common ways that a company's data becomes vulnerable is due to lost or stolen equipment. The ability to protect data on endpoints is a critical step in ensuring the protection of sensitive information.
Whether businesses need to bolster existing technology policies or implement more extensive measures, taking a proactive approach is key. Knowing how your network is protected and what control you have over data can both aid in compliance efforts and save your business time and money.
