Tricks, Treats, and Compliance: Wrapping Up the Year Without the Scares

Let’s be honest. October isn’t just about costumes and candy for those of us in security and compliance. Q4 is when the deadlines start lurking, regulations get updated, and everyone is trying to make sure there aren’t any skeletons hiding in the compliance closet before the year ends.

Why the Headlines Matter

If you’ve glanced at the news lately, you know it’s been a wild year. The Change Healthcare ransomware attack back in February was a wake-up call for the whole industry. Millions of Americans had their data exposed, and claims processing was thrown into chaos.

Regulators have responded with more audits and tougher enforcement, especially in healthcare. So, keeping your controls sharp isn’t just about ticking boxes. It’s about keeping your business out of those headlines.

What’s Creeping Up in Q4?

Here are a few things to keep an eye on:

HIPAA and healthcare: Telehealth and vendor risk are getting extra attention. The Office of Inspector General recently flagged gaps in HIPAA audits, so if you’re in healthcare, now is the time to double-check everything.

NIST CSF v2: The new framework is rolling out, and it’s actually pretty useful. It maps right to HIPAA’s Security Rule, so if you haven’t peeked at it yet, now is a good time.

SOC2 and vendor reviews: Year-end is prime time for vendor risk assessments. Did you know one in five healthcare breaches in August involved third-party vendors? Don’t let a partner’s mistake become your problem.

State privacy laws: Some states are rolling out new privacy rules before December 31. Don’t let those sneak up on you.

Common Pitfalls (and How to Dodge Them)

Let’s face it. Everyone is busy, and it’s easy to let things slide. Here are a few classic mistakes:

• Letting old policies collect dust. If it’s out of date, it’s a liability.
• Assuming last year’s risk assessment still works. Threats change, and so should your approach.
• Overlooking new vendors. New partners can bring new risks.
• Waiting until the last minute. Stress and mistakes love a good procrastinator.

Quick Wins Before Year-End

But it’s not all doom and gloom. Here are some easy ways to finish strong:

• Book a maturity or risk assessment now, so you’re not scrambling later.
• Freshen up your policy library. Make sure it matches how you actually work.
• Check your vendor files. Complete, current documentation saves headaches.
• Think ahead to 2026. Set a couple of clear goals so you hit the ground running in January.

No One Wants a Compliance Horror Story

We’ve all heard the horror stories. Missed deadlines, rushed fixes, and costly findings that could have been avoided with a little planning. The good news is you can dodge those nightmares with a bit of prep now.

Let’s Finish the Year Strong

If you want a second set of eyes on your program, help with an assessment, or just someone to talk through your year-end checklist, let’s chat. The goal is to keep the skeletons in the closet and your compliance program running smoothly. No tricks, just treats.

Ready to wrap up the year on a strong note? Let’s make sure you’re set for a smooth start in 2026.

References

The Biggest Healthcare Data Breaches of 2024 – HIPAA Journal: https://www.hipaajournal.com/biggest-healthcare-data-breaches-2024/

Healthcare Cybersecurity: The Urgency Of Now – Forbes: https://www.forbes.com/sites/chuckbrooks/2025/09/23/healthcare-cybersecurity-the-urgency-of-now/

Recent Developments in Health Care Cybersecurity and Oversight – Epstein Becker Green: https://www.healthlawadvisor.com/recent-developments-in-health-care-cybersecurity-and-oversight-2024-wrap-up-and-2025-outlook

NIST Updates Guidance for Health Care Cybersecurity – NIST News: https://www.nist.gov/news-events/news/2022/07/nist-updates-guidance-health-care-cybersecurity

Healthcare Data Breaches in August 2025 – Compliancy Group: https://compliancy-group.com/healthcare-data-breaches-in-august-2025/