Compliance Automation: How to Get Started and Best Practices – Source: securityboulevard.com

Managing compliance manually is an uphill battle, especially when regulatory requirements are constantly changing.

Compliance automation software streamlines the process of keeping up with industry standards and regulations like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Cyber Resilience Act (CRA), and Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS).

Discover everything you need to know about compliance automation software and how to choose the right solution.

Compliance automation software helps you manage and meet regulatory requirements. These tools track audit trails, collect data for reports, and generate alerts when something falls out of line with industry standards. For example, if you provide healthcare software, your tool might help you manage the audit process for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) as regulations change.

Think of these tools as assistants, handling tedious tasks like chasing down audit evidence or organizing compliance documents for you. With automated regulatory compliance, you don’t have to worry about manually tracking every little step or sending out constant reminders. The software does the legwork. This lets your team stay ahead of evolving regulations without getting buried in paperwork.

Benefits of Compliance Automation

Automating regulatory compliance isn’t just about reducing manual effort. It’s about minimizing risk and giving you peace of mind that security needs are met.

Here are a sampling of the benefits of automated compliance management:

Provides Integration Across Platforms

Relevant information might be spread across software and systems, making it harder to find and track. But compliance automation tools integrate with various platforms, managing data from all of your systems at once. They connect with background check providers, vulnerability monitoring tools, and even mobile device management systems so you can manage regulatory requirements without switching back and forth.

Streamlines Efficiency in Processes

With automation, tasks like report generation and vulnerability scanning run seamlessly in the background. This means less manual data entry and fewer opportunities for human error. Plus, automation tools maintain consistency, performing every step for maximum accuracy.

Automatic Creation of an Asset Inventory

Automation tools can create and maintain a real-time inventory of your software assets, like operating systems and cloud services. It’s easier to identify which need attention during audits, keeping you organized when regulators come knocking.

Enables Continuous Monitoring

These tools automatically scan for risks around the clock and alert you as soon as something comes up. This way, you fix issues before they snowball into bigger problems, saving you from unexpected headaches.

How to Create a Compliance Automation Checklist: 9 Best Practices

A compliance automation checklist helps you meet every regulatory requirement while easing your team’s workload. Here’s a step-by-step guide to building an effective list:

1. Note Relevant Regulations

Start by determining which regulations apply to you. New privacy rules are always emerging, and staying on top of them prevents missteps.

2. Define Objectives

Once you know your regulatory goals, outline a path to compliance. What do you need to achieve? Maybe it’s implementing a new security control, keeping better records, or proving you can handle vendor risks. Clear objectives lead to meaningful plans.

3. Select Strategic Tools

Depending on your team’s needs, choose options that streamline evidence collection, automate reports, or integrate with existing systems.

When considering tools, make sure you choose options that integrate with solutions you already use for easier implementation.

4. Map Out Processes and Responsibilities

Identify which team members manage each process, from monitoring to handling exceptions.

5. Train Staff and Build Awareness

Teach your team how to use the tools—and more importantly, explain why security and compliance matter.

6. Implement and Integrate Automation Tools

After picking tools, make sure they fit into your workflow. Additionally, make a plan to manage later changes that might impact compliance, like responsibility shifts or operational changes.

7. Monitor, Review, and Adjust

While automation does much of the work for you, compliance isn’t a set-it-and-forget-it deal. Regularly review your processes to align them with any changes in regulations or business needs.

8. Maintain Detailed Documentation

Record your standards and practices as much as possible. With clear documentation, it’s easier to prove compliance when regulators ask questions. Plus, transparency builds trust with clients who want to know you’re on top of things.

9. Adapt to New Regulations and Business Needs

Change is constant. Staying updated on new regulations —and adjusting tools and practices accordingly—prevents mistakes and optimizes your process. The more proactive you are, the more you can grow your business instead of putting out fires.

How To Choose the Right Compliance Automation Tool: 5 Factors To Look For

Find a system that grows with you. Here are some of the factors to consider:

1. Continuous Monitoring

A good tool keeps an eye on things 24/7, flagging issues as they pop up so you can deal with them before they become bigger problems.

2. Robust Reporting and Data Collection

Look for a tool that automates data collection and makes it easy to generate reports. Customizable reports let you tailor data points to meet specific needs and provide the right information during audits.

3. User-Friendly Interface and Customizability

Nobody wants to wrestle with a complicated tool. A user-friendly interface saves your team time and energy. And if it’s possible to customize a tool to fit your workflow, it’s a win-win, saving you from adjusting existing processes to match the new system.

4. Total Cost of Ownership

The initial price tag is only part of the story. Think about ongoing costs like subscriptions, setup fees, and customer support. A tool that looks affordable upfront might come with hidden expenses, so make sure you’re clear on the full cost before committing.

5. Check References and Request Demos

Before making a decision, ask for a demo or a trial period. It’s a great way to see if the tool fits your needs. And don’t forget to check reviews, especially from others in your industry, to see how the system works in practice. You could find insights and cautions you’d otherwise miss.

Automate Security Compliance With Legit Security

Legit Security’s automated compliance capabilities help you comply with software security standards effectively and efficiently. Legit helps you automate security checks throughout your SDLC to match specific regulations, such as NIST SSDF, PCI DSS, and FedRamp.

Legit Security integrates directly into your existing workflows, continuously monitoring for vulnerabilities and testing security controls at every stage. Plus, it gives you detailed reports to show adherence to industry standards like the National Institute of Standards and Technology Cybersecurity Framework (NIST CSF), cutting down on manual work and helping you address risks as they arise. For more support, Legit Security’s compliance and attestation trust center offers an industry-first solution designed to streamline your processes.

Automate compliance, stay ahead of regulatory challenges, and focus on growing your business with Legit Security. Book a demo today. 

*** This is a Security Bloggers Network syndicated blog from Legit Security Blog authored by Legit Security. Read the original post at: https://www.legitsecurity.com/blog/compliance-automation-best-practices