Security Program Health Check
Regulatory Requirements
Summer is Almost Over
Chad Peterson
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Summer is Almost Over—Is Your Security Program Ready for Year-End Compliance and Budget Season?
As summer winds down and the holidays begin to peek over the horizon, it’s easy to get caught up in the rush of Q4 projects, vacation planning, and the general end-of-year hustle. But before you dive into the busy season, it’s worth asking: is your security program prepared for year-end regulatory requirements and budget planning?
A little proactive effort now can save a lot of stress later—and help your business enter the new year with confidence.
Why Q3 Is the Perfect Time to Review Your Security Program
Many regulations—think HIPAA, PCI-DSS, GDPR, and others—require organizations to conduct annual security reviews, policy updates, or risk assessments. Waiting until the last minute is a recipe for unnecessary stress, overlooked details, and sometimes, compliance gaps that could have been avoided.
Q3 is the ideal time to:
- Review and update security policies and procedures
- Complete or refresh your annual risk assessment
- Address any training or awareness requirements
- Ensure your documentation is audit-ready
Common Year-End Security & Compliance Pitfalls
Let’s be honest, the end of the year sneaks up on all of us. Here are a few pitfalls I see organizations run into every year:
- Outdated Policies: Annual updates get postponed and then forgotten until an auditor is at the door.
- Incomplete Risk Assessments: Threats change all year long. If you haven’t revisited your risk register, you might be missing new vulnerabilities.
- Forgotten Training: Security awareness training is often required annually. Has your team completed it? (Phishing simulations are a great way to reinforce learning!)
- Vendor Risk Management: Third-party reviews are becoming a bigger focus for regulators, but they’re easy to overlook.
- Documentation Gaps: If it’s not documented, it didn’t happen—at least in the eyes of auditors.
Budgeting for Security in Uncertain Times
Budget planning season is just around the corner. Whether you’re looking to maintain your current security posture or make the case for new investments, aligning your security needs with business goals is key.
Tips for making your case:
- Document your compliance wins and recent risk reductions
- Identify any gaps or emerging threats that need attention in the coming year
- Connect your security initiatives to business objectives (operational resilience, client trust, regulatory compliance, etc.)
A little preparation now will make those budget conversations much smoother—and help ensure security doesn’t get left behind.
Quick Compliance Readiness Checklist
Here’s a quick checklist to help you get started:
- Review and update all security policies and procedures
- Complete an annual risk assessment
- Schedule or refresh security awareness training and phishing simulations
- Conduct a third-party/vendor risk review
- Document all compliance activities for auditors and leadership
- Prepare a prioritized roadmap for next year’s security initiatives
How a vCISO or Security Consultant Can Help
If you’re feeling stretched thin or unsure where to start, bringing in a virtual CISO (vCISO) or security consultant can provide the outside perspective you need. Whether it’s leading your risk assessment, helping you prep for audits, or simply making sure nothing falls through the cracks, a fractional expert can save you time, money, and stress—especially during the busy year-end season.
Ready to Get Ahead?
Don’t let year-end sneak up on you. If you’d like a quick assessment, a compliance checkup, or just want to talk through your security and budgeting roadmap, book a meeting, email me at info@capsecurity.us, or connect with me on LinkedIn.
Let’s make sure your security program is ready for whatever the rest of the year brings.