CISO Forum Summary: Accelerating and Automating Compliance
Tim Howard
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Fortify Experts holds CISO Round Tables monthly to discuss the latest trends and topics in security.?
Compliance is a persistent challenge for organizations of all sizes, and security executives often find themselves grappling with tight deadlines for meeting new regulatory requirements. At a recent CISO Forum, leaders gathered to discuss how to streamline the compliance process, address the difficulties of rapid implementation, and leverage tools and automation to enhance efficiency. The forum’s discussions illuminated the strategies that can make compliance faster and more manageable while maintaining security standards.
Understanding the Compliance Mandate
The session began by addressing a familiar scenario: an organization is suddenly required to comply with a new regulation under an impossible timeline.?
“When faced with a new regulation, the first thing I ask is, ‘Why now?’ Understanding the business driver is crucial to establish the urgency and scope.”?
Another executive echoed this sentiment, noting that assessing the risk of non-compliance is essential for prioritization and setting realistic goals.
Some leaders mentioned that their organizations treat compliance as a strategic initiative. For instance, a security executive shared that his team works closely with legal and compliance departments to clarify regulatory mandates and negotiate timelines when possible.?
He stated, “In many cases, the requirement isn’t as rigid as initially presented. Engaging with regulators can sometimes result in extended deadlines or acceptance of compensating controls.”?
This proactive approach can provide breathing room while still demonstrating a commitment to meeting requirements.
Limiting the Scope of Compliance Efforts
One effective strategy discussed was narrowing the compliance scope.?
As one CISO explained, “Instead of trying to ‘boil the ocean,’ we focus on the minimum requirements to satisfy the regulation. This involves defining the smallest possible scope and negotiating with auditors or regulators when necessary.”?
By prioritizing critical areas, organizations can target their efforts on the most impactful controls, reducing the time and resources needed to achieve compliance.
Some participants suggested using secure enclaves such as Fortified Desk to isolate systems or data that must meet stringent standards. This approach allows organizations to segment their environments, limiting the extent of the compliance effort to a manageable portion of the infrastructure.?
In CMMC 2.0, which was recently approved, if there is no computing at the endpoint, enabled by solutions like Fortified Desk , the endpoint is excluded from compliance. This can dramactically reduce scope.
One executive shared, “We achieved compliance for sensitive data by placing it in a secure enclave, which significantly reduced our audit burden.”?
However, as others pointed out, this approach may not cover all regulatory requirements, especially for broader business functions like HR and legal.
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The Role of Automation in Compliance
The session delved into how automation can alleviate the burden of compliance by streamlining evidence collection and documentation. Participants discussed using tools such as Vanta , Drata , and ControlMap , which automate aspects of compliance management by continuously monitoring systems and pulling evidence directly from APIs.
A security leader shared his experience, stating, “We used Vanta for our SOC 2 audit, and it helped automate around 70% of our data collection. It wasn’t hands-off, but it definitely saved us time by integrating with our systems to collect evidence and track compliance in real-time.”?
Tools like Vanta can monitor assets, track configurations, and generate compliance reports, but they still require manual effort to address complex requirements and manage audits.
Another executive noted, “Automation tools can’t fully replace human judgment. While they help with data collection, you still need someone to interpret that data, ensure it meets the compliance requirements, and prepare for follow-up questions from auditors.”?
This highlights the need for a balanced approach, where automation supports compliance efforts but doesn’t entirely replace the manual processes required for thorough verification.
Continue Reading how Leaders addressed these topics:
- Using AI for Mapping and Cross-Referencing Controls
- Addressing Small and Medium Business (SMB) Challenges
- Leveraging Continuous Monitoring and Reporting
- Real-World Limitations of Automation
- Top 4 Ways to Accelerate Compliance
About Tim Howard
Tim Howard is the founder of 5 technology firms including Fortify Experts which helps companies create higher-performing teams through People (Executive Search and vCISO/Advisory consulting), Process (NIST-based 3rd party security assessments and Leadership Coaching), and Technology (security simplifying solutions).
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