The significance of testing in achieving data compliance

In the ever-evolving digital world, ensuring compliance has become a dynamic, ongoing process rather than a one-time task. The need for robust testing processes, a culture of compliance, and shared accountability for data protection is more crucial than ever for organisations today.

One company leading the charge in this area is Com-Sec, which developed an AI-based solution in 2025. This innovative technology enables regular testing to check the effectiveness of security strategies, combining AI-powered automated scanning with human expertise for continuous security testing and compliance assurance.

Regulators play a vital role in this landscape. Engaging with them offers valuable insights into emerging regulations and best practices. For instance, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK requires UK-based Financial Services Institutions (FSIs) to regularly test their systems to ensure operational resilience.

Participating in industry forums and working groups focused on compliance allows organisations to exchange knowledge and learn from industry peers. This fosters a collaborative environment for tackling shared challenges. Collaboration with regulatory bodies is essential for navigating compliance challenges.

Cyberthreats are becoming increasingly sophisticated and cybercrime is becoming more organised. Regular testing to identify vulnerabilities and possibilities for breaches is important for businesses to prepare for cyberattacks. Annual testing is too irregular to defend against constantly evolving ransomware threats, and audits need to be multi-faceted and take place on a much more frequent basis.

Artificial intelligence (AI) can be a powerful tool in compliance testing. AI technologies can help streamline compliance monitoring, identify potential risks in real-time, and take action when an anomaly is detected. Predictive analytics can be leveraged with AI-driven compliance tools to anticipate compliance risks based on historical patterns, allowing for proactive risk mitigation.

Organisations can ensure data accuracy and integrity throughout a data lifecycle by designating data stewards responsible for a robust and regular testing framework. The days of setting a policy to ensure compliance and then forgetting about it are in the past.

Compliance is no longer a static policy; it is a living, evolving aspect that requires ongoing attention and testing. It's important to note that compliance testing is not just for FSIs, as cyberattackers target all organisations. The need for continuous compliance testing is a business-critical discipline that can save organisations from the heavy financial burden of data breaches.

Last year, large enterprises spent an average of $4.88 million per data breach. Regular audits should evaluate the effectiveness of a risk-management framework, ethical guidelines, and data governance practices. By prioritising continuous compliance testing, organisations can protect their data, their reputation, and their bottom line.