In today’s digital landscape, every business—big or small—must take Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) seriously. Many business owners, particularly those focused on growth, overlook compliance policies, assuming they can be addressed later. However, failing to prioritize compliance can result in costly breaches, reputational damage, and hefty fines that may cripple a company overnight.

Paige Hanson, Co-Founder of SecureLabs Inc., explains, “Every single business should care about GRC. It’s going to be different depending on where you’re at as a business.” Yet, many businesses struggle to integrate compliance into their daily operations.

For small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), compliance isn’t just a box to check—it’s a strategic safeguard against financial and operational risks. Imagine suffering a data breach that results in a $100,000 penalty. “Can you even recover if you have a $100,000 fine or a $100,000 breach? Can you make payroll next week? Who knows?” Hanson emphasizes. For Managed Service Providers (MSPs), ensuring client compliance is equally crucial, as they deliver secure and reliable IT services that businesses depend on.

Where to Start with Compliance

If your business does not have a formal compliance program—or if you’re unsure if your current program is effective—here are some key areas to focus on:

1. Enforce Least Privilege Access

Not every employee should have access to all company resources. Implementing the principle of least privilege ensures that employees only have access to what they need to perform their job functions. “Wouldn’t it be great if they could do everything and access everything? But they really should only have access to what they need,” says Hanson.

This reduces the risk of internal threats and minimizes the damage a potential hacker could cause if credentials are compromised.

2. Require Strong Passwords and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

One simple yet most effective way to protect business data is enforcing strong password policies and MFA. Cybercriminals often exploit weak passwords, and if credentials are leaked on the dark web, unauthorized access becomes a major risk. “Your username and password are just out there on the dark web. And then all of a sudden, there’s a fraudster in your systems,” warns Hanson. Implementing a password manager and enforcing MFA can help keep sensitive systems secure.

3. Regularly Audit and Revoke Access for Departing Employees

Access management isn’t just about onboarding—it’s equally important when employees leave. A failure to revoke access promptly can lead to security incidents. “Did you guys see this? It was the NBA. Somebody had been fired a couple weeks ago, or maybe a month prior to that, and he still had access to the NBA’s social channels,” Hanson notes.

Businesses must establish clear offboarding policies to ensure access is revoked immediately when employees leave.

4. Conduct Ongoing Security Awareness Training

Security training should not be a one-time event. Employees must be educated about cybersecurity threats through engaging and adaptive training programs. “You are just getting a tip of the iceberg on what a security awareness training should be, and it shouldn’t be just a one-and-done exercise,” says Hanson.

Consider incorporating:

• Lunch and Learns with cybersecurity experts
• Tabletop exercises that simulate cyber incidents
• Interactive training sessions to keep employees engaged
• Live events that align with cybersecurity awareness initiatives

By fostering a security-first culture, businesses empower employees to recognize and report potential threats.

5. Manage Third-Party Risk and Vendor Compliance

Third-party vendors can be a weak link in your security framework. Businesses should regularly assess vendor compliance and require adherence to industry-standard frameworks like SoC 2. “The most popular framework that we’re working with right now is SoC 2. It’s pretty much a standard across the board. It tells the outside world that you’re being audited on your privacy controls and your security controls,” explains Hanson.

How PC Matic Pro Supports GRC Initiatives

A proactive GRC strategy requires the right cybersecurity solutions. PC Matic Pro provides a robust suite of tools to help businesses strengthen security, including:

• Application Allowlisting to block unauthorized programs and prevent malware attacks
• Endpoint Security to protect devices from cyber threats
• Automated Patch Management to ensure software remains updated and compliant
• Remote Management for centralized oversight of security policies

By integrating PC Matic Pro into their cybersecurity framework, businesses can significantly reduce risk, improve compliance posture, and safeguard sensitive data.

Final Thoughts

GRC is not just a regulatory obligation—it’s a fundamental business necessity. Companies that prioritize compliance today will be better positioned to prevent data breaches, avoid fines, and maintain a strong reputation. Whether you’re an SMB or an MSP, taking proactive steps to strengthen governance, risk management, and compliance will pay dividends in the long run.

Invest in security, enforce best practices, and equip your business with solutions like PC Matic Pro to stay ahead of evolving cyber threats. A strong GRC strategy isn’t just about following rules—it’s about protecting the future of your business.

Watch the full discussion with Paige Hanson here.