External Regulation
External regulation refers to the rules, standards, and requirements imposed by external entities (such as governments, industry bodies, or international organizations) that organizations must comply with in their operations, particularly in software development and data handling. It encompasses legal frameworks, compliance mandates, and industry-specific guidelines that dictate how technology should be built, deployed, and maintained. This concept is critical for ensuring that software products meet legal, ethical, and safety standards in regulated sectors like finance, healthcare, and government.
Developers should learn about external regulation to build compliant and secure software in industries with strict legal requirements, such as finance (e.g., GDPR, PCI DSS), healthcare (e.g., HIPAA), or aviation (e.g., DO-178C). Understanding these regulations helps avoid legal penalties, data breaches, and reputational damage by integrating compliance into the development lifecycle, from design to deployment. It is essential for roles in regulated environments, where non-compliance can lead to fines, project failures, or harm to users.