News Poll: Much ado about data compliance

YARMOUTH, Maine — Security features such as surveillance, access control and integrated systems generate more personal data than ever before, making privacy protection a strategic imperative, but are businesses prepared to keep up? 

In this month’s News Poll readers concur unanimously, with 100% of responses voting that the handling and storage of personally identifiable information (PII) poses the greatest concern or risk for its company or clients. It’s no surprise: The Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC) found that in 2024, 1.73 billion people received notification of a data breach, a 312% increase from 419 million in 2023. 

“With AI and ever-evolving hacking capabilities, it is difficult to keep up with the protections necessary to ensure the integrity and safety of data and networks,” one reader wrote. 

Regardless, one-third of poll respondents believe they are fully compliant and confident in their ability to meet current data privacy regulations. The remaining two-thirds believe they are mostly compliant, as they monitor updates in a swiftly changing environment as laws and procedures change regularly. 

One-third of users also find that shifting legal landscape to be their biggest obstacle to improving their data privacy practices. Two-thirds say the greatest hurdles are the technical challenges with data anonymization or encryption. 

“Improper data disposal is a hidden risk—and it’s not talked about enough,” Lou DiFruscio, CEO of Blancco, said following the recent release of its data sanitization report. “Every business IT leader needs to understand its responsibilities, seek out the best practices that maintain compliance with data privacy regulations, and secure data at the finish line.” 

• Join us online at www.securitysystemsnews.com to participate in our most recent news poll, where we ask readers to share their insights on recruiting and training the next generation of security industry professionals, and the challenges involved.