As we ring in the new year, it is natural to reflect on the year behind us and look ahead to the year in front of us. Memories of 2020 will likely revolve around the COVID-19 pandemic, when the world seemed to stand still at the threat of the novel coronavirus. Many started working remotely this year in an effort to stop the spread of the disease.
With the number of remote workers increasing drastically, data security became paramount in a way we have never seen before. While keeping employees home helped reduce the risk of the virus, it increased the risk of sensitive company data being compromised. In some cases, IT teams were given less than a day to figure out how to get everyone online, and this resulted in data security often being neglected.
Luckily, many have learned to adapt, and maintaining a robust cybersecurity posture has become a priority. Along with this, regulations regarding data security have increased, leaving companies working hard to stay compliant and protect sensitive data.
As we go into 2021, these 5 security compliance trends will be key to enterprises across all industries:
1. Coordinated Regulations Across State and International Boundaries
Data security regulations vary based on where you are located and what industry you serve. In 2020, many states passed laws regarding data security — California passed Proposition 24 this year, which gives Californians the right to opt-out of having their information shared with third parties, and even allows them to have their information deleted if it has already been collected. Maine also passed a similar law (LD946) entitled The Maine Privacy Law and the Nevada Senate Bill 220 also protects consumers’ privacy.
More states will likely follow suit in 2021, which is a step in the right direction for consumers but can be confusing for businesses. Even the most stalwart companies can have a hard time following privacy regulations if their company operates in more than one state, or even in multiple countries. Cyber criminals, however, aren’t held back by state or country lines, leading many to propose a more united front when dealing with security regulations. The GDPR, enacted in 2018, was the first multi-national security regulation to be passed, governing all of the countries in the European Union. In 2021, there will likely be a push for more regulations that involve multiple governments, helping us unite in our desire to protect our digital data.
2. Getting Outside Help
Since remaining compliant can be so complicated — especially if your company works in multiple countries — 2021 will see more companies outsourcing their compliance needs. This doesn’t necessarily mean that anyone in the IT department is getting laid off, but simply that companies are looking to outside vendors to help provide the tools necessary to remain compliant. Wickr is one of these platforms, enabling you to protect sensitive data, but also retain communications when necessary.
Because of the complexities of security regulations, outsourcing to an experienced third party can help save money in the long run by avoiding costly mistakes. 2021 will see more companies using these third parties for their compliance needs.
3. Reimagining Security
In the past, security was often bolted onto an established system as an afterthought. In recent years, companies have begun to view security as a key component to their business, and 2021 will likely see more companies viewing security and compliance in this way. Instead of conducting business and then adding on security regulations afterward based on government regulations, businesses are integrating security into every facet of how they do business. This way, no matter how the regulations change, the enterprise is prepared.
Viewing security as an integral part of your business doesn’t only enable you to remain compliant, but it also improves your company’s bottom line. Consumers are becoming increasingly aware of the security risks that many companies are taking with their data, and the educated consumer is choosing to do business with companies that make security a priority. In addition, a data breach can be a devastating financial blow to a company, the most recent statistics suggesting that the average cost of a data breach is $3.85M. Those companies that take a proactive approach to data security will fare better in the long run, not only being able to spot a breach quickly after it happens, but perhaps even preventing one from happening in the first place.
4. Embracing Technology
While some companies get wary when you mention things like AI and machine learning, 2021 is likely to see advancements in these areas when it comes to data security and compliance. The advancements in these technologies allow your system to detect a breach far sooner than a person could, and using AI to spot any vulnerabilities in a system could be an invaluable part of your security posture. Using these technologies frees up time for your IT team to facilitate their many other duties and gives them the best possible chance to protect your system. Instead of fighting against the future, 2021 proves to be a year that these technologies are embraced as key components in your security compliance.
5. Increasing Need for Cybersecurity Talent
While many have struggled in 2020 with job security, cybersecurity jobs are consistently left open. Cyber threats across the world are only growing, and with it, cybersecurity jobs are increasing as well. However, the talent pool isn’t growing at a comparative rate. Most likely, 2021 will continue to see this lack of cybersecurity talent as a problem.
However, many in the field are working to solve this problem. Wickr is a proud partner of the Military Cyber Professionals Association (MCPA), which is dedicated to developing military cyber professionals. The MCPA also promotes STEM education, ensuring that the future of cybersecurity remains bright.
We at Wickr are proud to employ some of the best minds in the industry, and we are always looking for new talent. If you are interested in joining our team, visit our careers page.
Keeping the Future Compliant and Secure
As you look forward to a new year, do so with optimism and the willingness to do what is necessary to protect your customers’ data. Wickr helps companies secure their communications while also enabling them to remain totally compliant, allowing our clients to choose what information needs to be retained and what is able to be deleted. Wickr gives you full control, enables total compliance, and provides complete security. To learn more about our many features for organizations of all sizes, view our Wickr Enterprise page.