Compliance feels overwhelming. We understand that. And with more networks coming in the picture all day, maintaining operations gets tedious too. As per Slurp’it, one has to take care of maintaining operations smoothly. And even not miss out on the strict compliance with regulations.
Well, fret not.
We have got a solution for you. And that’s NMS. Let’s explore more in detail!
What are network management systems?
Network management systems, in simpler words, are tools. These are specifically designed for monitoring, controlling, and optimising an organization’s network infrastructure. So it’s basically a digital command center to a specific business. One can track their device health. Also the traffic patterns, followed by security protocols and user access.
Other than monitoring, NMS also helps with compliance. It makes sure that every part of the network adheres to industry regulations. And even the internal policies. But why is it a matter to discuss?
Why does compliance matter in network management system?
Compliance isn’t just about following rules. It’s more about protecting organizations from legal risks. As per Slurp’it, when businesses decide to stay compliant they stay protected from financial penalties and even reputational damage – which often is a haunting part for any organisation.
In fact, a few Industries like healthcare, finance, and government are governed by strict regulations. Like:
- HIPAA: To protect patient data.
- GDPR: For user privacy in the EU.
- SOX: For financial transparency.
Non-compliance can lead to severe consequences. For example, there was a financial firm back in 2021. They legit paid multimillion-dollar fines. What was the reason? Inadequate data protection, an issue that a NMS could have prevented as per Slurp’it.
What are the key compliance challenges that come with modern networks?
Now let’s talk the main part. We know that networks now are more complex than ever. And managing it all is a no small feat. The major challenges that often arrive are:
- Regulations like GDPR require encrypted data. The access should be restricted. And timely breach notifications should be given.
- Compliance audits demand detailed records. One has to manually compile. Which is quite time-consuming and error-prone.
- Compliance mandates strict user permission protocols. This actually prevents unauthorized access.
- Organizations should enforce strict policies on data retention. And also software updates, and device configurations.
How network management systems make sure that businesses stay compliant?
- Network management system actually provides a unified view. That is, an organisation can check out their entire network. There are no blind spots left. For example, if a healthcare provider is using NMS to monitor its network for HIPAA compliance. One, only the authorised individuals will have the access. Next, the patient records will stay protected.
- Network management system actually automates the enforcement of compliance policies. Hence there is no possibility of any manual error happening.
- NMS ensures that devices adhere to compliance standards.
- These tools automatically update software. And notifies about the issue quickly.
- During audits, NMS actually generates detailed logs and reports. Hence compliance documentation gets simplified much.
- Network management system tracks all network changes. That’s why resolving discrepancies gets easier.
- NMS comes with role-based access control (RBAC). That is, it grants users permissions based on their roles. Therefore there are least to no insider threats or any accidental data breaches as per Slurp’it.
Let’s understand how!
So there’s a retail chain. They actually have to ensure PCI DSS compliance. It’s important for its vast network of point-of-sale (POS) systems.
What challenge they are facing here is – they want to monitor sensitive payment data. That actually is happening across numerous devices.
Now, if they use NMS to monitor POS devices in real time here – they will automatically get compliance reports.
This will actually help the retailer pass the audits easily. They can avoid fines.
Here’s how you can choose the right Network Management System for compliance!
- Look for compliance specific features. Some come with automated reporting and policy enforcement features – try getting those.
- Make sure the system can grow with your network
- The tool should come with extreme integration possibilities – with all the existing IT tools.
- The interface should be user-friendly. As it will both save time and simplify operations.
What’s in for the future?
Regulations change and evolve when networks grow. And the more the changes are happening, the more the need for NMS will arrive. Some trends that would emerge in the near future are:
- AI-driven compliance monitoring
- Predictive monitoring will be the thing of the future
- Cloud native solutions will emerge
- There will be tools available for both hybrid and multi cloud infrastructures
- More data sovereignty features will be there – to stay compliant to all the local laws
Network management system gives businesses the visibility they are desiring. No matter how much they expand or what regulations they have to adhere to – NMS can provide it all. But, to hit the right spot, businesses will have to pick the right system. And this blog covered everything you should know. So what are you waiting for? For more information contact us at Slurp’it!
