Compliance Driven Security

Compliance Driven Security is a risk management approach where security controls and practices are primarily designed and implemented to meet regulatory, legal, or industry compliance requirements. It focuses on adhering to established standards like GDPR, HIPAA, PCI-DSS, or ISO 27001, often through audits, documentation, and formal processes. This methodology ensures organizations avoid penalties and legal issues by demonstrating due diligence in protecting data and systems.

Also known as: Compliance-Based Security, Regulatory Security, Compliance-First Security, Audit-Driven Security, Standards-Compliant Security

Why learn Compliance Driven Security?

Developers should learn this when building applications in regulated industries such as healthcare, finance, or e-commerce, where non-compliance can result in fines, lawsuits, or loss of trust. It is used in scenarios like handling sensitive personal data, processing payments, or managing critical infrastructure to align security measures with legal mandates and industry best practices.

Learning Resources

• docs: NIST Cybersecurity Framework
• docs: ISO 27001 Information Security Management
• tutorial: GDPR Compliance Guide for Developers
• course: Coursera: Introduction to Compliance and Risk Management
• docs: OWASP Compliance Driven Security Cheat Sheet