Data Classification: Why It’s Important and How To Do It

by Tori Thurmond / January 8, 2024

What Is Data Classification? Data classification systematically categorizes information based on sensitivity and importance to determine its level of confidentiality. This process helps apply appropriate security and compliance measures to ensure each category receives proper protection. As a result, sensitive information is safeguarded while less critical data is allowed appropriate flexibility. Why is Classifying Data Necessary? Knowing how to classify data is critical given today’s advancing cyber threats. With over…

The Keys to a Successful Audit

by Tori Thurmond / January 10, 2024

An auditor can be seen as a nit-picky, negative, overly involved outsider coming into your environment, asking questions and looking for any control that’s insufficient. This mindset causes organizations to fear auditing and auditors, when in reality, an audit is a healthy habit and auditors are trained to help you better understand and protect your assets. Audits don’t need to be so intimidating. Instead, a successful, quality audit should include…

The Bleach Breach: How a Quality SOC 2 Audit Could Have Helped Clorox

by Tori Thurmond / October 12, 2023

Another day, another breach. There have been quite a few cybersecurity events breaking the news involving major companies lately—one of the notable events involving Clorox.   Back in August, the multibillion-dollar corporation discovered unauthorized activity in some of their IT systems. The organization enabled their business continuity plan (BCP), but was forced into processes that affected their production capacity. The product shortages resulted in the organization losing money each and every…

Learning from MGM’s Mistakes: How a Quality Audit Can Help

by Tori Thurmond / September 15, 2023

A $33 billion company breached because of a 10-minute phone call, and, according to vx-underground, all the hackers had to do was a simple search on LinkedIn.   You’ve probably heard about the MGM breach that happened earlier this week, but did you know that the attack was a result of social engineering? A notorious hacking group, ALPHV (aka BlackCat), searched one of MGM’s employees on LinkedIn, called MGM’s help desk,…

Using the Online Audit Manager to Complete Multiple Audits

by Abigail Raley / February 5, 2024

When completing multiple audits, it’s easy to become overwhelmed. You want to make sure that you’re taking the necessary steps to succeed, but you find yourself answering the same questions across multiple audits, using compliance tools that aren’t actually helpful, and working with multiple firms to meet all of your security and compliance needs. You want a quality audit across multiple frameworks, for yourself or your clients’ peace of mind.…