While data security has been an important topic since the internet’s inception, the issue is experiencing renewed prominence as platforms collect and struggle to secure copious amounts of personal information and prevent cyberthreats at the same time. The early 2000s were characterized by unprecedented growth and participation in the digital data economy, but the 2010s saw the creeping consequences of this ecosystem.

NIST compliance is mandatory for federal contractors, but there is a lot of confusion around it. Without it, chances of getting those big projects in the government are significantly skewed. So what is NIST compliance exactly?

In todays political landscape a more aggressive enforcement approach from health and safety regulators is fast approaching. For employers looking to reduce their business risk, achieving regulatory compliance starts with creating an audit program that is both strong and sustainable. However, with COVID-19 restrictions still in place, many organizations are facing new barriers that may impede how they assess compliance and limit their potential exposure.

Employees, contractors, and vendors have unparalleled access to company data, requiring careful adherence to data privacy best practices to secure personal information. Unfortunately, many employees are either unaware of these practices or are unwilling (or forgetful) to regularly implement them into their workflows.

Some of the most iconic brands started during crises. As documented in an Entrepreneur article, the Hyatt hotel franchise launched during the 1957-1958 economic recession. Microsoft was founded during the oil embargo in the mid-1970s, and several prominent tech brands, including Uber and Airbnb, were created during the Great Recession. For today’s entrepreneurs, the lesson is simple: Don’t let these uniquely disruptive times deter innovation. Many are already embracing this mindset.

As digital security and data privacy become increasingly caustic issues, regulatory compliance is exceedingly challenging. Not only are various regions implementing unique standards, but industries, municipalities, and platforms are issuing new guidelines as well. While CTOs have many solutions for ensuring system compliance, the human element remains more difficult to oversee, mandate, and manage.

These are anxious times for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 70% are concerned about financial hardship due to pandemic-related disruptions, and more than half are worried about having to close permanently. At the same time, SMBs are tasked with personnel management in an increasingly distributed and frequently fraught environment where employees are stressed and burned out. Collectively, it’s a sizable challenge for SMB leadership.