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Security Compliance Is Not the Same as Protection | Opinion

Security Compliance Is Not the Same as Protection | Opinion

Summary

Mitch Lawrence argues that security compliance rules have not kept pace with changing technologies and threats, and that meeting a checklist does not necessarily protect an organization. He calls for regular reviews of security standards that use threat information and technical expertise and weigh protection against cost.

Key Facts

  • The article is an opinion piece by Mitch Lawrence.
  • The EPA reported in May 2024 that more than 70 percent of the community water systems it had inspected since September 2023 did not fully meet federal risk-assessment and emergency-planning requirements.
  • The EPA also identified cybersecurity weaknesses at some inspected water systems, including default passwords that had not been changed and shared staff logins.
  • Lawrence says emerging and changing technologies include artificial intelligence, drones, 5G, encryption, and quantum computing.
  • Lawrence argues that security programs can focus too much on meeting formal standards rather than reducing actual risks.
  • He says rigid requirements may impose costs on small contractors that are not suited to their specific risks.
  • Lawrence recommends reviewing standards more often, using threat intelligence and technical and operational security experts, and assessing both effectiveness and cost.
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