Building Compliance Framework
Implement a security baseline
A security baseline is the foundation of technical and organizational safeguards that every system must follow to protect personal data. It creates consistency across the platform, ensures compliance with GDPR and CPRA, and reduces the risk of breaches or regulatory penalties.
Implement a Security Baseline
A security baseline is the foundation of technical and organizational safeguards that every system must follow to protect personal data. It creates consistency across the platform, ensures compliance with GDPR and CPRA, and reduces the risk of breaches or regulatory penalties.
Encryption Standards
Encrypt data at rest and in transit using modern algorithms.
At rest: Use AES-256 or equivalent for databases and storage.
In transit: Use TLS 1.2+ for all communications.
Rotate keys regularly and store them securely (e.g., KMS).
Authentication and Access Control
Restrict access to personal data to only those who need it.
Require strong passwords and enforce MFA for admins.
Apply role-based access control (RBAC).
Review and remove unused accounts promptly.
Logging and Monitoring
Track system activity to detect suspicious behavior quickly.
Maintain logs of data access and administrative actions.
Use automated alerts for unusual activity or failed logins.
Regularly audit logs for anomalies.
Vulnerability and Patch Management
Stay ahead of exploits by keeping systems up to date.
Apply patches promptly to OS, dependencies, and libraries.
Run automated vulnerability scans on infrastructure and code.
Establish a patching schedule tied to release cycles.
Incident Response Preparedness
Be ready to act quickly in case of a breach.
Maintain a documented incident response plan.
Define escalation paths and roles.
Test response procedures with tabletop exercises.
Example: User Database Security
For a user database storing emails and passwords:
Data is encrypted at rest with AES-256.
Connections are secured with TLS 1.3.
Passwords are hashed with bcrypt.
Only admins in a “Security” role can access sensitive fields.
All queries and access attempts are logged and monitored.
Conclusion
A strong security baseline is the backbone of compliance. By enforcing encryption, strict access controls, monitoring, and response readiness, companies create a resilient environment that protects user data and proves accountability.