5 Important Ways GDPR-compliant Software Helps US Businesses

By |2024-04-22T16:09:45-04:00April 17th, 2024|article, blog, 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

Read More
Comments Off on 5 Important Ways GDPR-compliant Software Helps US Businesses

Navigating the Labyrinth: Top 6 Compliance Mistakes Organizations Make

By |2024-04-03T09:19:01-04:00February 28th, 2024|blog, 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

Read More
Comments Off on Navigating the Labyrinth: Top 6 Compliance Mistakes Organizations Make

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

Read More
Comments Off on Prepare Now for Data Privacy Law Changes in 2024

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

Read More
Comments Off on What US Businesses and Individuals Need to Know About GDPR Compliance

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

Read More
Comments Off on Information Governance Definition and First Steps

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

Read More
Comments Off on Information Governance Consulting Services Streamline Governance Strategy

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

Read More
Comments Off on What is Information Governance? Managing Data to Drive Compliance, Strategy and Productivity

Control the Future of Data with AI and Information Governance

By |2023-03-15T17:46:16-04:00March 1st, 2023|Data Compliance, Information Governance and Management|

As business leaders know, great opportunity often brings great risk. Thus, big data drives strategy and informs decision making. But mismanaged data creates security and compliance nightmares. New AI tools promise to help but raise privacy and ethics concerns. However, AI and information governance together harness opportunity while minimizing risk. For example, protected health information slides under the radar in numerous formats, from emails to meeting transcripts and chats. However, using AI-powered tools, information governance professionals can automatically find and tag sensitive data wherever it lives. This allows them to ensure compliance with privacy regulations. On the other hand, new

Read More
Comments Off on Control the Future of Data with AI and Information Governance

Law Firm Compliance Challenges Underscore Need for Renewed Cyber Security Focus

By |2023-03-07T16:06:13-05:00February 8th, 2023|Cyber-Security, Data Compliance, Information Governance and Management|

Today’s regulatory environment can feel like a minefield. From SOX to HIPAA, GDPR to PCI DSS and new state privacy laws, complex regulations affect nearly every organization. And for attorneys, the landscape proves especially difficult. Each client potentially brings both sensitive data and additional regulations, adding to law firm compliance challenges. Understand How and When Regulations Apply to Law Firms Law firms occupy a unique position that makes them potentially subject to a wide range of regulations. Like any organization, they must comply with the evolving privacy laws of the state(s) in which they do businesses. However, in addition, they

Read More
Comments Off on Law Firm Compliance Challenges Underscore Need for Renewed Cyber Security Focus

Why Lawyers Need to Understand Shadow Data

By |2023-03-08T13:40:50-05:00January 25th, 2023|Cyber-Security, eDiscovery, Information Governance and Management|

rganizations gather massive quantities of data, using that data to inform decision-making and business strategy. However, while data plays a critical role in business success, it can also increase security and compliance risks. When advising their clients on cyber security, legal teams must take into account the dangers posed by shadow data. In a digital environment dominated by cyber threats and privacy regulations, proactive organizations take great care to protect sensitive data. For instance, healthcare organizations bolster security around their EMR. But they may be neglecting shadow data, the sensitive data that lives outside the EMR, beneath the radar of

Read More
Comments Off on Why Lawyers Need to Understand Shadow Data

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.

Go to Top