Operationalization of Compliance Part 1
Author: Mari Cherry Published on: March 19, 2025
Operationalization of Compliance: Top Compliance Frameworks Every Business Should Know
Compliance is no longer limited to a few highly regulated industries. New cybersecurity frameworks, regulations, and standards continue to emerge, and more organizations are being required to demonstrate compliance.
Establishing a strong cybersecurity foundation now can prevent costly and time-consuming compliance efforts later.
At RITC Cybersecurity, we often say: “Compliance is a by-product of good cybersecurity. However, being compliant does not mean you are secure.”
Organizations that implement a cybersecurity framework such as NIST CSF 2.0, CIS Controls v8, or ISO 27001 are often well-positioned to meet the majority of compliance requirements.
Top 10 Compliance Frameworks
1. SOC 2 Type 1 and Type 2
- AICPA: The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants develops auditing standards and professional guidance.
- SOC 2: Evaluates controls related to security, availability, and privacy.
- Type 1: Reviews control design at a specific point in time.
- Type 2: Assesses operating effectiveness over a period of time.
2. CMMC and NIST
- CMMC: Required for Department of Defense contractors handling FCI and CUI.
- NIST: Provides cybersecurity frameworks and standards such as NIST CSF and the SP 800 series.
3. HIPAA
HIPAA protects the privacy and security of protected health information (PHI) and applies to healthcare providers, insurers, and business associates.
4. HITRUST
HITRUST integrates standards such as HIPAA, NIST, ISO, and GDPR into a certifiable framework.
5. ISO
ISO publishes internationally recognized standards, including ISO 27001 for information security.
6. PCI DSS
PCI DSS protects payment card data and applies to organizations that process, store, or transmit credit card information.
7. CCPA
The California Consumer Privacy Act grants California residents rights over their personal data.
8. SEC and FINRA
These regulatory bodies govern financial institutions and securities markets in the United States.
9. SOX
The Sarbanes-Oxley Act establishes financial reporting and internal control requirements for public companies.
10. FedRAMP
FedRAMP standardizes security assessment and authorization requirements for cloud service providers used by federal agencies.
Honorable Mentions
- ITAR
- FISMA
- NCUA
- KYC (Know Your Customer)
- BSA/AML
- State-specific privacy and data retention laws
Compliance Scope
Compliance affects every business unit, including human resources, sales, finance, legal, engineering, development, and operations.
Frameworks such as SOC 2, HIPAA, and PCI DSS are enterprise-wide initiatives, not just IT projects.
While security and operations teams often lead implementation, successful compliance requires organization-wide participation.
Simplifying Compliance Through Operationalization
Organizations can simplify compliance by operationalizing processes and controls, especially when managing multiple frameworks.
RITC Cybersecurity helps businesses maximize compliance ROI and make efficient use of internal resources.
This blog series explores different compliance frameworks and practical strategies for integrating compliance into day-to-day operations.
Dive deeper into implementation by reading Operationalization of Compliance Part 2 .
