Cyber security compliance: What you need to know

Posted 1 week ago

In today’s digital world, cyber security compliance is crucial for businesses of every size. With cyber attacks constantly looming, organisations need to meet the necessary standards to safeguard information and maintain trust with customers.

Today, we’ll delve into what cyber security compliance is, discussing key regulations and frameworks, while offering practical tips for achieving compliance, and how we can help you maintain robust cyber security standards.

What is cyber security compliance?

Cyber security compliance refers to adhering to a set of regulations, standards, and guidelines designed to protect sensitive information from cyber threats. It involves implementing security measures, policies, and procedures to mitigate risks and ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data.

Visit our blog on ‘What is Cyber Security?’ for more information.

Why is cyber security compliance important?

The importance of cyber security compliance cannot be underestimated. The latest figures from the Home Office Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2024 state that half of UK businesses experienced some form of cyber security breach or attack in the last 12 months.

Compliance helps organisations avoid costly data breaches, regulatory penalties, legal consequences, and reputational damage. Moreover, it instils trust among customers, partners, and stakeholders, enhancing your business’s credibility in an increasingly competitive market.

Luckily, the Advanced Trends Report 2023/24 shows that a renewed focus on cyber security is expected, with 9 out of 10 British businesses planning to invest in new technology including adaptive AI, sustainable tech, neurotech, applied observability and digital immune systems.

Key cyber security compliance regulations

While there is no comprehensive national cyber security law, there are five critical legislation frameworks that regulate cybersecurity, data privacy, and data protection in the UK:

UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR): UK GDPR is a data protection regulation that sets guidelines for the collection, processing, and storage of personal data within the United Kingdom.

Data Protection Act 2018: The Data Protection Act 2018 supplements UK GDPR, providing additional guidelines for data protection and privacy. It covers areas such as data processing, rights of data subjects, and enforcement mechanisms.

Networks and Information Systems (NIS) Directive: The NIS Regulations require Operators of Essential Services (OES) and Relevant Digital Service Providers (RDSPs) to implement robust cyber security measures to protect their network and information systems.

Computer Misuse Act 1990: The Computer Misuse Act 1990 is a legislation in the UK that criminalises illicit access to computer systems with the intent to commit additional offences (i.e. hacking) and unauthorised modification of computer data.
ISO 27001: ISO 27001 is an internationally recognised standard for information security management systems. It provides a comprehensive approach to identifying, assessing, and managing information security risks, guiding organisations in establishing and maintaining robust security protocols.

Additionally, many UK businesses proactively adhere to global cybersecurity regulations and frameworks such as PCI-DSS, NIST, SOX, and HIPAA. However, they are not legally obligated to comply with these standards under UK law.

Tips for Achieving Cyber Security Compliance

If you’re a UK business looking to achieve cyber security compliance, here are some practical tips:

Conduct a thorough risk assessment to identify potential vulnerabilities and threats.
Develop and implement robust cyber security policies and procedures aligned with relevant regulations and standards.
Regularly update software, systems, and security controls.
Provide comprehensive training and awareness programmes to educate employees about cyber security best practices.

Maintain Cyber Security Compliance with iHasco

We offer a range of online Cyber Security & GDPR Training courses that are designed to help organisations of any size work towards cyber security compliance, improve cyber security awareness, and protect their business from cyber threats or data breaches.

Some of our most popular courses in this bundle include:

You can claim a free, no-obligation trial for any of the courses today! Alternatively, request a bespoke quote for your organisation and a member of our team will get in touch to discuss your cyber security training needs.

Check out our complete guide to cyber security for more support and information.