Key PII Compliance Steps for Data Protection: Reduce Risk and Increase Customer Trust

By |2024-07-22T16:13:21-04:00July 11th, 2024|article, Blog Archive, Data Compliance|

In today’s business environment, organizations must pay special attention to the protection of personally identifiable information (PII). Regulatory compliance has become not simply a legal obligation but also an essential component of increasing public trust and mitigating risk. Thus, understanding key PII compliance steps for data protection is critical for business success. Step 1: Know the Laws and Regulations Failing to comply with privacy laws and industry-specific regulations can result in hefty fines, as well as loss of trust and damage to brand reputation. But you cannot comply with a regulation you do not understand. Consequently, ensuring PII compliance begins

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How to Develop a Strategy to Manage Legacy Data and Improve Data Value

By |2024-06-10T18:02:12-04:00May 22nd, 2024|article, Blog Archive, Information Governance and Management|

Every organization holds legacy data trapped in obsolete formats or systems. This introduces compatibility issues and security concerns. However, regulatory requirements often mandate retention of legacy data, and much of the information may still carry value. Data teams must develop a strategy to manage legacy data and thus keep it secure, compliant, and accessible. Trapped in obsolete formats and archaic systems, legacy data presents a multifaceted challenge. Important information may become inaccessible, resulting in knowledge gaps and reduced efficiency. Also, maintaining legacy data can prove difficult and costly. Finally, lack of visibility and proper security opens the door for data

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Your Business Checklist for SOX 404 Compliance: A Guide for Information Technology Leaders

By |2024-05-24T17:02:25-04:00May 15th, 2024|article, Cyber-Security, Data Compliance|

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) of 2002 applies to all publicly traded companies and mandates strict controls around financial data. Section 404 of SOX can prove particularly complex, and in today’s digital landscape, addressing these requirements necessitates substantial IT involvement. This business checklist for SOX 404 compliance will help ease the process. SOX requires that companies establish internal controls over financial reporting (ICFR). However, it stops short of outlining specific practices. Thus, several frameworks have emerged over time to help companies organize their compliance efforts. These frameworks tend to include several key elements of particular importance to IT efforts: Risk assessment

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5 Important Ways GDPR-compliant Software Helps US Businesses

By |2024-04-22T16:09:45-04:00April 17th, 2024|article, Blog Archive, Data Compliance|

For the average US company, GDPR may seem half a world away and irrelevant. However, this “shot heard round the world” introduced an era of data privacy with far-reaching implications. Whether or not your business targets European Union (EU) residents, GDPR-compliant software helps US businesses in several unexpected ways. GDPR-compliant software addresses key areas that include the following: Data protection principles – Software solutions should have a specific purpose for the data they collect. They should collect only necessary data and use the data solely for the stated purpose, removing it when no longer needed. User rights – The software

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Navigating the Labyrinth: Top 6 Compliance Mistakes Organizations Make

By |2024-04-03T09:19:01-04:00February 28th, 2024|Blog Archive, Data Compliance, Information Governance and Management, Technology|

In today’s complex regulatory landscape, staying compliant feels like negotiating a maze. One wrong turn can lead to hefty fines, reputational damage, and legal repercussions. However, when companies understand common compliance mistakes and take proactive steps, compliance becomes an organic part of doing business. 1. Ignorance is Not Bliss: Failing to Keep Up with Regulations GDPR took effect in 2018, initiating a cascade of regulations across the globe. New privacy laws and industry regulations appear on the scene every year, and governing bodies regularly make adjustments. If organizations neglect to stay on top of regulatory changes, they may mistakenly assume

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Prepare Now for Data Privacy Law Changes in 2024

By |2024-04-02T11:23:11-04:00December 6th, 2023|Data Compliance, Information Governance and Management, Privacy|

The privacy legislation trend shows no signs of slowing down. At least a dozen states have now enacted privacy laws, in addition to global laws already in place. And more states will inevitably pass privacy legislation in the coming year. Organizations should plan carefully to prepare for data privacy law changes in 2024 and beyond. New State Privacy Laws Taking Effect in 2024 Each year, a handful of states enact sweeping privacy legislation, and 2024 is no exception. The following new privacy laws will take effect in the coming months: Montana Consumer Data Privacy Act (MTCDPA) – This law goes

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What US Businesses and Individuals Need to Know About GDPR Compliance

By |2024-04-03T10:57:31-04:00November 1st, 2023|Data Compliance, Privacy|

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) took effect in 2018, increasing data protection for European Economic Area (EEA) citizens and residents. The GDPR impacts how organizations collect, process, store, and share personal data. While the law applies to individuals in the EEA, GDPR compliance also affects American citizens and businesses in certain situations. Failure to comply with GDPR can result in hefty fines, as well as reputational damage and legal action. For instance, Facebook’s parent company Meta was fined $1.3 billion this year for violating GDPR guidelines. Companies need to understand whether they fall under GDPR and how to achieve

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Information Governance Definition and First Steps

By |2023-07-28T07:43:07-04:00June 13th, 2023|Information Governance and Management|

Many organizations associate information governance primarily with regulatory compliance. While information governance programs do play a significant role in maintaining compliance, they can serve a much more strategic purpose. Building a working information governance definition is a good first step toward harnessing the power of data. Information Governance Definition Information governance involves locating and managing data across the enterprise. Thus, it encompasses the policies, processes, roles, and responsibilities used to store and secure data. This includes managing the data lifecycle, optimizing identity and access management and monitoring sensitive data. Business Benefits of Information Governance When organizations gain control of their

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Information Governance Consulting Services Streamline Governance Strategy

By |2023-05-18T09:37:02-04:00May 17th, 2023|Cyber-Security, Data Compliance, eDiscovery, Information Governance and Management|

Information governance ensures that data remains both accessible and secure. It aids regulatory compliance and drives both productivity and decision making. But designing and implementing a comprehensive governance strategy requires careful planning and the right tools. Information governance consulting services streamline the process. A successful information governance strategy covers all your organizational data and includes several key components, such as: Data classification and storage Regulatory compliance Information security and access controls eDiscovery management The data experts at Messaging Architects have helped hundreds of organizations harness the power of their data. With enterprise-grade tools and extensive information governance expertise, they will

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What is Information Governance? Managing Data to Drive Compliance, Strategy and Productivity

By |2023-05-18T09:52:58-04:00May 3rd, 2023|Data Compliance, Information Governance and Management, Safety and Cyber Security|

At its heart, information governance involves knowing where the organization’s data lives and who owns it. But what is information governance? Key elements of governance include categorizing data and managing the data lifecycle. Additionally, organizations must find a sweet spot that balances robust information security with streamlined data access. Properly implemented, information governance paves the way for regulatory compliance. It also makes quality data available to decision makers to inform business strategy. And it increases productivity by making the right data available to the right people at the right time. Maintain Compliance with Improved Visibility and Regular Monitoring For many

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Messaging Architects has been providing professional consulting services around unstructured data and information governance for over 12 years.  Our topnotch experienced project management and engineering team assists organizations to address information risk management strategies, eDiscovery processes, data security and information management policies.    Information is an organizations biggest asset but it can also be that organizations biggest risk.

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