Identifying Applicable Cybersecurity Regulations Based on Industry and Location
Cybersecurity is a critical concern for businesses of all sizes and industries. With the increasing number of cyber threats, it is essential to have a robust cybersecurity program in place to protect your organization and your clients' data. One of the first steps in developing a cybersecurity program is to identify the applicable cybersecurity regulations that apply to your business. These regulations vary depending on the industry, location, and the type of data that is being processed.
While the following list is not an exhaustive list of regulations, it gives you an overview of the cybersecurity regulations here in Canada as well as internationally.
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Canada:
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CAN/DGSI 104: This Canadian cybersecurity standard provides a framework for organizations to assess, manage, and improve their cybersecurity posture, focusing on key areas like risk management, incident response, and governance.
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PIPEDA: This Canadian federal law governs the collection, use, and disclosure of personal information by private sector organizations, requiring them to implement appropriate security safeguards.
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CCSPA: This Canadian federal law aims to improve cybersecurity for critical infrastructure sectors by establishing minimum cybersecurity standards, requiring operators to implement cybersecurity programs, and mandating reporting of significant cyber incidents.
United States:
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HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act): Governs the privacy and security of protected health information (PHI).
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GLBA (Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act): Requires financial institutions to protect sensitive customer information.
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FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act): Protects the privacy of student education records.
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FISMA (Federal Information Security Management Act): Applies to federal agencies and requires them to implement and maintain an information security program.
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CISA (Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act): Encourages information sharing between the government and private sector regarding cybersecurity threats.
European Union:
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GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation): A comprehensive set of data protection laws that apply to organizations that process the personal data of EU residents.
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NIS2 Directive (Network and Information Security Directive 2): An updated version of the NIS Directive with expanded scope and stricter requirements.
International:
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ISO 27001: An internationally recognized standard for information security management systems.
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NIST Cybersecurity Framework: A voluntary set of cybersecurity standards, guidelines, and best practices developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in the United States.
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COBIT 2019: A framework for the governance and management of enterprise IT.
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PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard): A set of security standards designed to protect cardholder data.
Common cybersecurity regulations:
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While some of the most common cybersecurity regulations are not specific to Canadian companies, if a Canadian company conducts business in the United States and handles the personal/financial information of U.S. consumers, they may need to consider they need to consider additional regulatory requirements to the extent that their activities fall within the scope of the U.S. law. The same applies to doing business internationally.
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Identifying the applicable cybersecurity regulations is an essential first step in developing a robust cybersecurity program. By understanding the regulations that apply to your business, you can take the necessary steps to protect your organization and your clients' data.
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Additional resources:
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Government of Canada Resources:
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Canadian Centre for Cyber Security: This official government website provides valuable information on cybersecurity threats, best practices, and resources for businesses. You can find information on relevant legislation and guidance on their website.
Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada: This office provides guidance on the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA), a key piece of legislation governing the collection, use, and disclosure of personal information in Canada.
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Industry-Specific Resources:
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Canadian Standards Association (CSA): The CSA develops and publishes various standards related to cybersecurity, including CSA ISO/IEC 29128-1:24, which provides guidance on cybersecurity management systems.
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Financial Institutions: Organizations in the financial sector should familiarize themselves with guidelines and expectations from the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI).
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Key Canadian Cybersecurity Regulations:
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Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA): This federal law governs the collection, use, and disclosure of personal information in the private sector.
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Critical Cyber Systems Protection Act (CCSPA): This legislation aims to improve cybersecurity for critical infrastructure in Canada.
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Provincial Legislation: Some provinces have their own privacy legislation, such as the Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA) in Alberta.
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Please note: This Learning Module is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. Please consult with 123 Cyber for guidance on specific cybersecurity regulations.
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This training series is based on the CAN/DGSI 104 NATIONAL STANDARD OF CANADA Baseline cyber security controls for small and medium sized organizations (typically less than 500 employees), the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security controls and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
This tutorial is a guideline for best practices, but you are encouraged to review your company's policies to ensure you are following your organization's procedures.
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