You're reading from CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 Certification Guide - Third Edition

Product typeBook

Published inJan 2024

PublisherPackt

ISBN-139781835461532

Edition3rd Edition

Concepts

Cybersecurity

Author (1)

Ian Neil

Introduction

This chapter covers the fourth objective in Domain 5.0 Security Program Management and Oversight, of the CompTIA Security+ exam.

In this chapter, we are going to summarize the importance of compliance reporting, internal and external. We will also consider the consequences of non-compliance in data handling, review data privacy elements, and explore various data roles and their relationship with compliance.

This chapter will give you an overview of why companies rely on these processes to keep their environment safe to ensure you are prepared to successfully answer all exam questions related to these concepts for your certification.

Note

A full breakdown of exam objective 5.4 is provided at the end of the chapter.

Compliance Reporting

Compliance reporting is a critical component that ensures organizations adhere to regulatory standards, industry best practices, and internal policies. These reports serve as a roadmap to assess an organization’s security posture, identify vulnerabilities, and drive continuous improvement. In this section, we explore compliance reporting from both internal and external perspectives, shedding light on their significance and the role they play in bolstering an organization’s security:

Internal: Internal compliance reporting involves the assessment and measurement of an organization’s adherence to its own security policies, standards, and procedures. In this way, organizations conduct a thorough self-examination to identify gaps and areas in need of enhancement.

Table 26.1 describes the key elements that constitute effective internal compliance reporting:

Compliance Monitoring

Compliance monitoring verifies that organizations adhere to laws, regulations, and standards. This section will explore the intricate process of compliance monitoring, touching upon due diligence, attestation, internal and external approaches, and the role of automation, as follows:

Due diligence/care: Effective compliance monitoring begins with due diligence. It involves the meticulous examination of an organization’s processes, practices, and policies to ensure they align with regulatory requirements. Due diligence isn’t just a box-ticking exercise; it’s a proactive effort to identify vulnerabilities and weaknesses, including comprehensive risk assessments and ongoing evaluation to maintain a strong security posture.
Attestation and acknowledgment: Attestation and acknowledgment involve the formal recognition and affirmation of an organization’s commitment to compliance. Attestation signifies that an organization acknowledges...

Privacy – Regulations

Data privacy upholds the fundamental right to personal autonomy and empowers individuals to control their own information, ensuring that their personal details, preferences, and choices remain confidential and protected from misuse. By ensuring that personal data is handled securely, data privacy measures mitigate the risks associated with cybercrime and data breaches, shielding individuals from identity theft, fraud, and unauthorized surveillance.

There are many different privacy laws and regulations dictating how personal data is to be handled and processed within geographical boundaries and thus a range of legal implications. The European Union (EU), for example, enforces GDPR, which carries heavy penalties for non-compliance. ISO 27701 (an international standard) outlines how personal data is collected and processed and can help organizations align with regulations such as GDPR, ensuring they are in compliance with the laws. Regulations can impact...

Privacy – Data

The privacy of data is the safeguard that shields the intimate details of our digital lives, preserving our autonomy, dignity, and trust in our interconnected world. Chapter 12 already covered data types, data classifications, federal data considerations, and methods to secure data. In Chapter 11, we covered the roles and responsibilities for systems and data, looking at the roles of data owners, controllers, processors, custodians, and stewards. Here, however, we are looking at data from a compliance point of view, that is, the data subject, controller versus processor, ownership, data inventory, and retention:

Data subject: The data subject is anyone whose personal information is being collected and stored, and the rights and protections of the data subject depend on which privacy regulations are applicable to them. The data subject is an important legal entity; for instance, they are granted the “right to be forgotten” in GDPR’s...

Summary

This chapter discussed the importance of internal and external auditing as it relates to compliance and the consequences of non-compliance. This included a review of due diligence and care practices and data privacy maintenance, as well as the legal implications of non-compliance with privacy laws such as GDPR and HIPAA. Finally, you explored various data roles and how they are affected by compliance when carrying out their duties and GDPR’s “right to be forgotten” clause.

The knowledge gained in this chapter will prepare you to answer any questions relating to Exam Objective 5.4 in your CompTIA Security+ certification exam.

The next chapter of the book is Chapter 27, Explain types and purposes of audits and assessments.

Exam Objectives 5.4

Summarize elements of effective security compliance.

Compliance reporting: The process of documenting adherence to regulations:
- Internal monitoring: Oversight within the organization
- External monitoring: Oversight by external entities or authorities
Consequences of non-compliance: Outcomes for violations:
- Fines: Regulatory penalties for non-compliance
- Sanctions: Imposed penalties or restrictions
- Reputational damage: Harm to an organization’s image
- Loss of license: Revoking permissions or certifications
- Contractual impacts: Consequences for breached agreements
Compliance monitoring: Ensuring adherence to regulations:
- Due diligence/care: Exercising thoroughness and care
- Attestation and acknowledgment: Confirming compliance and recognizing it
- Internal and external: Monitoring within and outside the organization
- Automation: Automated processes and controls for efficiency
Privacy: Protecting individuals’ personal information and rights:
- Legal implications...

Chapter Review Questions

The following questions are designed to check that you have understood the information in the chapter. For a realistic practice exam, please check the practice resources in our exclusive online study tools (refer to Chapter 29, Accessing the online practice resources for instructions to unlock them). The answers and explanations to these questions can be found via this link.

A brokerage firm has consistently failed to adhere to crucial regulatory requirements, resulting in a series of serious violations. What is the MOST significant consequence this organization could face for its non-compliance? Choose the BEST answer.
1. Regulatory fines
2. Loss of license
3. Reputational damage
4. Data mismanagement
In the context of data protection and privacy regulations, which of the following best describes the role of a data processor?
1. An individual who exercises control over the processing of personal data
2. An organization or person that determines the purposes and means...

The rest of the chapter is locked

You have been reading a chapter from

CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 Certification Guide - Third Edition

Published in: Jan 2024Publisher: PacktISBN-13: 9781835461532

A free Packt account unlocks extra newsletters, articles, discounted offers, and much more. Start advancing your knowledge today.

undefined

Unlock this book and the full library FREE for 7 days

Get unlimited access to 7000+ expert-authored eBooks and videos courses covering every tech area you can think of

Start free trial

Renews at $15.99/month. Cancel anytime

Author (1)

Ian Neil

Ian Neil is one of the world's top trainers of Security+. He is able to break down information into manageable chunks so that people with no background knowledge can gain the skills required to become certified. He has recently worked for the US Army in Europe and designed a Security+ course that catered to people from all backgrounds (not just IT professionals), with an extremely successful pass rate. He is an MCT, MCSE, A+, Network+, Security+, CASP, and RESILIA practitioner that has worked with high-end training providers over the past 23 years and was one of the first technical trainers to train Microsoft internal staff when they opened their Bucharest Office in 2006.
Read more about Ian Neil

Personalised recommendations for you

Based on your interests and search pattern

Attacking and Exploiting Modern Web Applications

Attacking and Exploiting Modern Web Attacks will help you understand how to identify attack surfaces and detect vulnerabilities. This book takes a hands-on approach to implementation and associated methodologies and equips you with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively combat web attacks.

BookAug 2023338 pages

Automotive Cybersecurity Engineering Handbook

This Automotive Cybersecurity Engineering Handbook untangles the complexities of building secure automotive products and helps you to comply with cybersecurity standards. It provides practical tools, tips, and techniques coupled with real-world examples to enable you to create cyber-resilient automotive products with ease.

BookOct 2023392 pages

Official Google Cloud Certified Professional Cloud Security Engineer Exam Guide

This book will help you to design, develop, and operate security controls on Google Cloud as well as discover best practices for relevant security domains, including identity and access management, network, and data.

BookAug 2023496 pages

Cloud Penetration Testing for Red Teamers

The advent of cloud networks and the AWS, Azure, and GCP platforms has revolutionized how companies of all sizes in all industries do business online. This book will help you meet the emerging demand for pentesting as it guides you through the tools, techniques, and security measures used by pentesters and red teamers in the 2020s and beyond.

BookNov 2023298 pages

ISACA Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC®) Exam Guide

ISACA Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC®) Certification Guide is an enterprise IT risk management professional’s dream. With its in-depth approach and various self-assessment exercises, this book arms you with knowledge of every single aspect of the certification, and is a fantastic career companion after you’re certified.

BookSep 2023316 pages

Burp Suite Cookbook

Burp Suite is an immensely powerful and popular tool for web application security testing. This book provides a collection of recipes that address vulnerabilities in web applications and APIs. It offers guidance on how to configure Burp Suite, make the most of its tools, and explore into its extensions.

BookOct 2023450 pages

Building and Automating Penetration Testing Labs in the Cloud

This hands-on guide will help you design and build a variety of penetration testing labs that mimic modern cloud environments running on AWS, Azure, and GCP. In addition to these, you will explore a number of practical strategies on how to manage the complexity, cost, and security risks involved when setting up vulnerable cloud lab environments.

BookOct 2023562 pages

Ethical Hacking Workshop

As cyber-attacks grow and APT groups advance their skillset, you need to be able to protect your enterprise against cyber-attacks. In order to limit your attack surface, you need to ensure that you leverage the same skills and tools that an adversary may use to hack your environment and discover the security gaps. This book will teach you how to think like a hacker, use state-of-the-art hacking tools, and protect yourself and your organizaiton.

BookOct 2023220 pages

Windows Forensics Analyst Field Guide

This book contains step-by-step processes to guide you in any investigation related to Windows OS. You’ll find out how to acquire evidence using multiple tools as well as examine and analyze the collected artifacts, while discovering multiple techniques used in real-world forensic incidents.

BookOct 2023318 pages

Implementing DevSecOps Practices

This book is a comprehensive, hands-on guide for individuals new to DevSecOps who want to implement DevSecOps practices successfully and efficiently. With its help, you’ll be able to shift security toward the left, enabling you to merge security into coding in no time.

BookDec 2023258 pages

Element

...