In today’s high-stakes digital environment, employers across the United States are facing the stark reality that cyber threats are escalating while staffing the defenses is becoming increasingly difficult. And it’s not just hype. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and other sources like Statescoop have repeatedly highlighted the urgency of bolstering the cybersecurity workforce.

From e-commerce sites and financial apps to healthcare systems and cloud services, code runs the backbone of modern business. But with every new line of code comes a potential new vulnerability and the cost of discovering those vulnerabilities only after a breach can be devastating.

When you use a third-party provider such as a cloud service provider, payment processor, or SaaS vendor, there is often a shared responsibility model at play. The provider may manage the infrastructure such as servers, hardware, and physical security, but the business remains responsible for how the data is used, accessed, and protected within that environment.

The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) is the set of security requirements that all organizations accepting, processing, storing, or transmitting credit card information must follow. But for many small businesses, especially those without a strong technical or regulation compliance background, PCI DSS can feel overwhelming and leaves many small businesses wondering where to start.

Think of a CCSFP as a navigator and translator: they understand the language of compliance frameworks and they help you apply that knowledge to your business operations in a way that makes sense for both your business and budget.

Small businesses often struggle to know where to start with cybersecurity. Learn why adopting a framework like NIST or HITRUST is the smartest first step and how InfoSec Specialists can guide you through implementation while saving time and reducing costs.