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4 Common Compliance Standards Businesses Should Know About

By Rimpy Saini

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4 Common Compliance Standards Businesses Should Know About

Wed, Jan 29, 2025

Read in 7 minutes

In today’s highly regulated world, businesses face growing challenges to ensure compliance with various laws and standards.

 Failure to comply can lead to massive penalties, data breaches, or even the collapse of a company’s reputation.

But here’s the real scenarios to consider:

  • Can you afford to lose your customers’ trust?
  • Are your data security measures robust enough to withstand scrutiny?
  • Do you truly understand the standards that can make or break your business?

Compliance standards are essential for businesses to ensure legal adherence, protect sensitive data, and build trust with customers and partners.

 Here are four common compliance standards every business should know about:

1. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR): Prioritize Your Data Privacy 

GDPR is a landmark data privacy regulation from the European Union aimed at protecting the personal data of EU citizens. 

It applies to any business worldwide that processes or stores data related to EU residents, regardless of its physical location.

What are keywords requirements for GDPR compliance?

  • Explicit Consent: Businesses must obtain clear and explicit consent before collecting personal data. For example, using opt-in checkboxes for email sign-ups.

  • Right to Access and Erasure: Customers can request to access their data or have it deleted entirely (“Right to be Forgotten”).

  • Transparency: Companies must clearly explain why they are collecting data and how it will be used.

Why is GDPR compliance a must- have?

  • Failing to comply can result in fines of up to €20 million or 4% of annual global turnover, whichever is higher.
  • In 2021 alone, GDPR fines exceeded €1 billion across Europe.
  • Reputational damage can erode customer trust permanently.

Some Ideal Tips to Comply with GDPR:

  • Audit your data collection methods to ensure they align with GDPR guidelines.
  • Create easy-to-read privacy policies for customers.
  • Use tools to automate data deletion requests.

Also explore: How Vizitor’s Visitor Management system works 

2. Service Organization Controls (SOC 1 and SOC 2)

SOC reports, created by the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA), help businesses demonstrate their ability to manage sensitive information responsibly.

SOC 1: Focuses on internal controls over financial reporting.

SOC 2: Addresses data security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy.

A 2022 report by Deloitte found that 70% of businesses lost a client or deal due to non-compliance with SOC standards.

What is SOC 1?

SOC 1 compliance is essential for businesses that process sensitive data related to financial transactions and reporting. 

It’s particularly relevant for services like payroll management, employee benefits administration, or any outsourced financial operations.

How to ensure SOC 1 Compliance? 

  • Implement strict access controls to financial data.
  • Regularly review and audit financial reporting processes.
  • Maintain clear documentation of all processes related to data handling.

What is SOC 2?

SOC 2 is specifically designed to ensure data security and compliance based on five trust service principles:

  • Security: Protection against unauthorized access.
  • Availability: Ensuring systems are operational when needed.
  • Processing Integrity: Data is processed accurately and as intended.
  • Confidentiality: Sensitive information is safeguarded.
  • Privacy: Personal data is collected, used, and

Obtaining SOC 2 certification demonstrates that your organization has robust data security measures in place. 

How Visitor Management Helps:

Effective visitor and employee management plays a crucial role in achieving and maintaining SOC 1 and SOC 2 compliance. 

Here’s how incorporating these practices strengthens internal controls, security, and trust:

  • Secure Digital Logs: Maintain detailed visitor and employee logs to track who enters, when, and what areas they access, ensuring audit-ready records.
  • Identity Verification: Use tools like photo capture, ID checks, and blocklists to allow only verified individuals into sensitive areas.
  • Access Control Badges: Issue customized visitor and employee badges to restrict access to specific zones, aligning with SOC 2 principles of security and confidentiality.

Vizitor’s advanced visitor management system automates logs, identity verification, and badge issuance, helping businesses streamline compliance with SOC 1 and SOC 2. 

Its real-time monitoring ensures security and simplifies audit processes.

3. International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) 

What is ITAR?

The International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) is a set of U.S. government regulations aimed at controlling the export and import of defense-related articles and services. 

ITAR compliance ensures that sensitive military information, technology, and materials are not transferred to unauthorized foreign entities. 

For businesses dealing with defense-related items or services, ITAR compliance is a critical requirement. Key elements like record-keeping, visitor scanning, and tracking are essential in ensuring that you meet ITAR regulations.

 A secure visitor management system can play a vital role in maintaining a compliant visitor log book by automating and streamlining these processes.

How Vizitor’s Visitor Management System Helps with ITAR Compliance

Detailed Record-Keeping:

A robust visitor management system should maintain comprehensive logs of who visits your premises, including exact sign-in and sign-out times, areas accessed, and detailed visitor identification. This ensures that your organization is prepared for audits and compliance checks, with accurate records available when needed.

Visitor Scanning and Verification:

Your system should have the capability to scan IDs, capture photos, and cross-check visitors against any blocklists. It should allow you to pre-register visitors and flag those who should be denied access to certain areas, ensuring only approved individuals are granted entry.

Host and Badge Customization:

To enhance security, your system should require a host to approve visitors, with the option to display the host’s name on the visitor badge for better identification. 

Additionally, the badges should be customized to reflect the specific areas the visitor is permitted to access, ensuring only authorized zones are accessed.

Audit-Ready Logs:

Your visitor logs will be instantly accessible for audits, reducing compliance risk and ensuring you stay prepared for regulatory inspections.

4. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) 

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is a U.S. law designed to protect sensitive patient information from data breaches, unauthorized access, and misuse. 

HIPAA sets strict rules for healthcare providers, insurers, and associated businesses on how to handle and store protected health information (PHI). 

Visitor management systems play a significant role in meeting the requirements of HIPAA. Here’s how effective visitor management ensures compliance with HIPAA standards:

  • A secure visitor management system ensures that all visitors’ entries and exits are properly logged. These systems automatically track who enters the premises, when they arrived, and where they visited. 

This helps healthcare organizations maintain a clear, auditable trail of visitor activity, ensuring compliance with HIPAA’s audit trail requirements.

  • A visitor management system can help healthcare organizations verify the identity of visitors using ID scanning, photo capture, and pre-registration features. 

  • An access control system integrated with your visitor management platform ensures that only authorized visitors can enter specific, restricted areas. Visitors and employees can be issued badges that are programmed to grant access to specific zones, ensuring they can’t accidentally wander into areas where PHI is stored.

  • A visitor management system can be set up to alert staff in real-time if a visitor tries to access a restricted area or if an unapproved person tries to enter the premises.

By integrating a HIPAA-compliant visitor management system, healthcare organizations can protect patient data, comply with stringent regulations, and maintain a secure, audit-ready environment. 

Conclusion: Navigating the Complex Landscape of Compliance

As regulations evolve, businesses must remain vigilant and proactive in managing compliance requirements. Whether it’s protecting sensitive health information under HIPAA, ensuring security under SOC 2, or adhering to ITAR guidelines, staying up-to-date with the latest standards is crucial.

 A strong compliance strategy not only safeguards your organization’s data but also strengthens its reputation in the eyes of customers, partners, and regulators.

Implementing smart visitor management systems and robust security measures helps businesses mitigate risks, avoid costly penalties, and foster trust with clients and stakeholders.

Staying ahead in compliance isn’t just about meeting standards—it’s about setting your organization up for long-term success.

Ready to take the next step in compliance?

 Dive deeper into our resources and discover how to safeguard your organization today.