Cloud computing has become an essential aspect of modern business operations, offering scalability, flexibility, and cost-efficiency. However, with the increased reliance on cloud services comes the growing need for security and compliance assurances. As such, Cloud Service Providers (CSPs) now face the challenge of proving they can securely handle customer data while maintaining reliable operations.

American companies are hotfooted to clinch the new requirements of the Privacy Shield. Since the European Commission officially adopted the framework on July 12, organizations have scurried to understand the finalized principles, determine the applicability of each, and develop a plan for implementing any necessary privacy mechanisms and controls. Like most legal texts though, the Privacy Shield can be difficult to digest. Some of the principles have been significantly restructured, are riddled with stipulations and situational exceptions, and are a bit ambiguous. Our firm’s fielded an inpouring of questions looking for perspective and advice on which aspects of the Privacy Shield will be the riskiest and most burdensome. Here is my two cents worth on trying to prioritize and tackle some of the essentials.

As organizations face pressure to obtain third-party validation demonstrating their effective cybersecurity and risk management practices, they may wonder which compliance approach is best to pursue. HITRUST Certification is a globally recognized program that validates an organization’s compliance with the HITRUST Common Security Framework (CSF). An alternative to obtaining a HITRUST CSF Certification is the SOC 2 + HITRUST report, which serves as a collaboration between HITRUST and the AICPA.

Identifying changes that must be made is the easy part. Managing those changes successfully—not so simple! Organizations today need to be extraordinary at adapting to or influencing changes in technology, policy, and procedure. Those who adjust well aren’t phased by the fast pace of the market or the constant evolutions in technology and security standards. Those who struggle with change constantly operate in a reactive state, and fail to properly strategize their business moves.

The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) has designed three distinguished SOC reports to accommodate the varying needs of service organizations, each with their own purpose and intended use. As such, when service organizations begin researching System and Organization Controls (SOC) reports, their first consideration often centers around determining which SOC report(s) is best for their needs.

An internal audit process should be present within the organization, and is vital to the design and effectiveness of any information security program. The requirements of an internal audit can be referred to in Clause 9.2 within the ISO-27001 standard. The process and time constraints of an internal audit vary based on the size and structure of the company. Also, a greater sense of detail and effectiveness of an internal audit should be similar across all organizations. Initially, a plethora of clients believe that an internal audit is a simple walkthrough of organizational specific processes and applicable controls; however, the internal audit requires the organization to review the ISO-27001 framework and all in-scope Annex A controls based on the Statement of Applicability (SOA). As a result, the ISO-27001 internal audit happens to be more stringent and control focused than many organizations believe it to be prior to beginning the audit.

An ISO 27001 certification can help your business stand out. It lets your customers and potential customers know you care about and will protect their information. It can also help you streamline internal processes.

Being involved with talent recruitment for Schellman, I am asked countless times about our Firm’s corporate culture and the inevitable follow-up question to that is,