Imagine everything you know about traffic laws. Now, take them and turn these laws into recommendations, how many more accidents do you think we would be dealing with? We would have people speeding, running red lights and ignoring stop signs.  In some places, we have this happening more than others.  Sometimes they get a ticket, sometimes they are involved in an accident.  We all know the rules but not everyone complies for one reason or another.  The same thing happens in the digital world without security rules. Information security compliance exists to protect people’s personal data and keep businesses safe. Governments create laws to set basic security rules that companies must follow. Just like any legal requirements, not knowing does not hold up in court.

In the last five years, lawmakers have passed many new laws. For example, there’s the Colorado Privacy Act, California’s Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and New York’s SHIELD Act. The shift to remote work after COVID-19 also made security more important. Companies had to protect information outside traditional office settings.

Even with new rules, some old security laws are still in place. But like regular laws, saying you didn’t know the rules won’t save you if you get caught. We’ll cover key security rules for various industries and then we’ll share tips to help businesses stay compliant.

Healthcare: Keeping Patient Information Safe

Healthcare providers, like chiropractors, dentists, and physical therapists, handle sensitive patient data. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) makes sure this information stays protected. This law applies to doctors, insurance companies, and businesses that handle patient records. New updates may need faster breach notifications and better patient access to their data.

To stay compliant, healthcare providers should ask these questions:

• How is patient data stored and shared?
• Are our business partners following HIPAA rules?
• What security measures are in place to stop cyber threats?

Tools like data encryption, secure cloud storage, and employee training help protect patient information. A compliance expert can also guide businesses through these regulations to avoid fines and security risks.

Retail: Protecting Customer Payments and Data

Retail businesses, whether small online shops or big stores, must follow rules. These rules protect customers’ financial information. The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI-DSS) ensures that credit card payments are processed securely. If a business offers financing or stores customer financial data, it must also follow the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA).

Businesses have different compliance needs, large and small, but all retailers must be careful when working with third-party service providers (TPSPs), like payment processors and supply chain partners. If these providers aren’t secure, the business could still be responsible for a data breach. Ensure you are doing your research on services before you commit to a contract. More details about TPSPs will be discussed later.

Hospitality: Hotel, Motel………You Know the Rest.

Hotels and other hospitality businesses collect a lot of personal data, from guest names to payment details. They need to follow both state and international privacy laws. For example, the CCPA in California controls how businesses collect and use guest information, while General Data Protection regulation (GDPR) in the UK and the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) in Canada have strict rules for handling personal data.

Since hotels process credit card payments, they also must follow PCI-DSS. The challenge is keeping guest data secure while making the experience smooth and hassle-free.

Education: Keeping Student Data Private

Schools and universities keep sensitive student records. Laws protect this data. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) ensures that schools keep student records safe and limit access.

For younger students, COPPA controls how websites and apps gather data from kids under 13. Some states have even stricter rules, such as:

• California’s Student Online Personal Information Protection Act (SOPIPA)
• New York’s Education Law 2-d
• The Student Data Transparency and Security Act

Schools also need to consider international rules like GDPR if they enroll students from other countries.

Real Estate: A Hidden Compliance Risk

Real estate companies, mortgage lenders and property management companies don’t always understand the security requirements. Since they handle financial transactions and credit checks, they often indirectly fall under multiple regulations. Some key rules include:

• FTC Act & Deceptive Practices Rules – Ensure honest business practices in real estate.
• SEC Cybersecurity Rules – These rules apply to REITs and public companies.
• FTC Safeguards Rule (GLBA connection) – Protects financial data in real estate transactions.
• SOC 2 Compliance – Important for real estate software companies that store customer data.
• AML & KYC Rules – Prevent money laundering and fraud in real estate transactions.
• International Laws – If working with foreign buyers, businesses may need to follow GDPR and other global privacy rules.

Third-Party Service Providers: A Security Weak Spot

Picking the wrong third-party service provider (TPSP) can put a business at risk. If a cloud storage company isn’t secure, your business is at risk. You could face data breaches and compliance issues.

Before choosing a service provider, ensure they meet your industry’s security standards. Ask these key questions:

• How often do your engineers check for security issues and update software?
• Do independent security experts test your products? How often?
• Which of your products meet my industry’s compliance requirements?
• Has your company ever had a security breach? What did you learn from it?

Some companies may not reveal a breach. However, checking their history can help you find warning signs. Being careful about who you work with can help you avoid security problems down the road.

Conclusion: Security Compliance Is a Must

In today’s digital world, following security rules is key. It helps avoid fines and protects your business and customers. Strong security also builds trust and reduces the risk of data breaches.

Many compliance rules overlap. This lets businesses meet several requirements with one security plan. It can be complicated to understand these rules. That’s why hiring a compliance expert is a smart move. A good expert knows the latest rules. They help protect against cyber threats. They also keep your business out of legal trouble.

When choosing a compliance expert, look for someone with:

• Experience in your industry
• Knowledge of current regulations
• A strong background in cybersecurity and risk management

Following security laws isn’t optional—it’s necessary for staying in business. Please reach out to your state consumer protection department or the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) for more information and free resources.  When companies prioritize compliance, they can avoid financial penalties and maintain customer trust.