Cybersecurity compliance can be a complex field for newcomers to navigate. This article presents essential advice gathered from seasoned professionals in the industry. By following these insights, newcomers can build a strong foundation in cybersecurity compliance and effectively contribute to their organizations’ security posture.
- Understand Real-World Cybersecurity Implications
- Grasp the ‘Why’ Behind Compliance Frameworks
- Bridge Technical and Business Aspects
- Build a Strong Foundation in Regulations
- Align Security with Business Goals
- Network and Learn Core Concepts
- Focus on Business Impact of Controls
- Master Fundamentals Before Diving into Frameworks
- Develop Technical and Interpersonal Skills
- Balance Expertise with Relationship-Building
- Gain Hands-On Experience in Business Operations
- Prioritize Human Element in Security Frameworks
Understand Real-World Cybersecurity Implications
If you’re just getting started in cybersecurity compliance, my advice is simple: don’t get blinded by the buzzwords. The fancy frameworks and jargon will come, but the real job is about helping people stay safe and businesses stay out of trouble. Start by learning how people actually work, not how a textbook says they should. Compliance isn’t just about ticking boxes; it’s about understanding where things can go wrong in the real world (usually somewhere between a dodgy email and someone using “password123”). Focus on being clear, practical, and human…because no one wants a lecture, they want help that actually makes sense.
P.S. Oh, and if someone says “but we’ve always done it this way”—that’s your cue to dig deeper. That sentence has never ended well in cybersecurity.
Mark Dodds
Cyber Focus | Co-Owner, Compex IT | Birmingham
Grasp the ‘Why’ Behind Compliance Frameworks
If you are new to cybersecurity compliance, here is a suggestion I wish someone had told me at the beginning: do not just read or memorize frameworks, but rather understand why they exist. It’s all too easy to get caught up in acronyms like HIPAA or SOC 2, but the true value comes from knowing what these things are protecting and what a security breach looks like in the context of a business. I have observed people treating compliance as a box to check, and this way of thinking creates blind spots. Instead, learn how data travels through systems, be curious about breaches, and ask, “What’s the impact if this fails?” Speak with both engineers and executives—you’ll see very quickly that compliance is as much about communication as it is about controls. And never stop learning, as the rules change, the threats evolve, and the best in the field are those who adapt with it.
Jason Hishmeh
Author | CTO | Founder | Tech Investor, Get Startup Funding, Varyence
Bridge Technical and Business Aspects
I am sharing a couple of things that are not only immediately important but also long-term weapons in your beginner skill-set in the security compliance world.
For someone just starting in compliance, don’t mistake it for being easier than the technical risk domain such as penetration testing or red teaming. Also, don’t assume that you don’t need to understand the root causes or that it’s simply about ticking boxes. I would advise beginner professionals to understand the “why” behind the regulations, not just the “what.” This insight into the business context and learning what risks these rules are actually trying to manage is crucial. That’s how you will make a difference in your understanding and also at your organization to ensure compliance is not in the way of business operations without burning bridges with other departments!
Additionally, learn to speak to both audiences in tech and business roles. Your role is equally about translating between tech teams explaining vulnerabilities and risks, and senior stakeholders trying to understand regulatory compliance. To bridge that gap—explaining complex security jargon in plain English and understanding the business impact of compliance—is your main KPI to hit. That’s considered your win.
Harman Singh
Director, Cyphere
Build a Strong Foundation in Regulations
My advice would be to focus on developing a deep understanding of the ever-evolving regulatory landscape. This field is constantly changing, so staying up-to-date with laws, standards, and frameworks is essential. It’s also crucial to build a strong foundation in risk management and data protection principles, as these are at the heart of cybersecurity compliance.
Don’t just learn the theory, but also try to gain practical experience through internships or certifications. Lastly, always approach the field with a mindset of continuous learning. Cybersecurity is dynamic, and staying ahead means embracing change and never losing sight of the bigger picture.
Amit Doshi
Founder & CEO, MyTurn
Align Security with Business Goals
Starting a career in cybersecurity compliance, one crucial focus is integrating cybersecurity measures with business objectives. I’ve seen that aligning security protocols with an organization’s goals can streamline processes and reduce costs significantly, sometimes by over 30%. This approach not only fulfills compliance needs but also boosts operational efficiency.
Dive deep into understanding the importance of agile security frameworks. We use the CyberSecurity Matrix as a crucial tool to evaluate and adapt our strategies to evolving threats. This matrix breaks down cyber attack stages, helping prioritize security efforts effectively. Mastering such frameworks can make you invaluable in developing adaptive compliance strategies.
Utilizing real-world case studies is another effective way to grasp the practical aspects of cybersecurity compliance. For instance, massive settlements like Equifax’s $575 million penalty highlight the severe repercussions of non-compliance. Learning from these scenarios will reinforce the importance of proactive measures and comprehensive regulatory adherence.
Ryan Carter
CEO/Founder, NetSharx
Network and Learn Core Concepts
The best advice is to surround yourself with people who are more knowledgeable than you and remain humble. Cybersecurity is a complex field that spans a wide range of topics. When you focus on compliance, it’s like entering a whole new dimension or stepping through an entirely different door. If you are just starting out, concentrate on building a solid network of professionals within the industry. Consider joining cybersecurity groups like https://issa.org/, where you can connect with experts who can guide you.
Once you’ve established a strong support system, it’s crucial to understand not just the “why” behind compliance, but also the outcomes you’re aiming to achieve. Compliance isn’t about ticking boxes or memorizing frameworks—it’s about mitigating risk and safeguarding sensitive data. At its core, compliance ensures the implementation of the CIA Triad: Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability. (Understanding the CIA Triad is a great place to start.)
So, why is compliance important? Because it plays a key role in protecting the organization while enabling it to meet its goals. Cybersecurity should align with business objectives, and compliance is what helps bridge that alignment.
Once you grasp the “why,” you can explore frameworks like NIST CSF or NIST 800-53 to understand controls, structure, and how to adopt a risk-based mindset.
Next, shift your focus to documentation and communication. Compliance is rooted in clarity—it requires the ability to write clear policies, track evidence, and, most importantly, translate technical risks into business language.
From a business standpoint, being compliant means being able to communicate effectively with the Board, Legal, and Management. Developing business acumen is essential. While this skill grows over time, recognizing its value early on helps shape the right mindset.
Remember, cybersecurity must align with the organization’s goals, and part of that alignment involves knowing how to ask the right questions and gather the right information.
Ivan Fernandez, CISSP
CEO, SPN Networks, Inc
Focus on Business Impact of Controls
My advice: Focus on understanding the “why” behind the controls, not just memorizing the frameworks. Cybersecurity compliance can seem overwhelming at first—so many acronyms (SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, NIST), so many checklists, and so much documentation. But real success in this field comes from learning the business impact behind the rules. When you understand why a control exists, you can adapt, advise, and add real value—not just check boxes.
Here’s what to focus on early in your career:
1. Learn the Business Context
Compliance isn’t just about protecting data—it’s about enabling trust. A company wants to pass a SOC 2 audit not just to be secure, but to win business and prove it’s worthy of handling sensitive information. Spend time learning how the business operates, where its risks lie, and what it values most. This will help you tailor compliance efforts so they’re meaningful and practical.
2. Master the Core Concepts
Instead of diving deep into one framework, focus first on foundational principles: least privilege, segmentation, encryption, change management, incident response, and logging. These are the building blocks that show up in nearly every standard. Understanding them well helps you translate controls across different environments.
3. Shadow Cross-Functional Teams
Compliance lives at the intersection of security, IT, legal, HR, and even sales. Learn how each of these teams interacts with policies and controls. Sit in on audits. Join calls with vendors. Ask to review change logs or asset inventories. These experiences build your understanding and improve your ability to communicate effectively across departments.
4. Don’t Wait to Automate
Even early in your career, start identifying where automation can improve compliance. Tools like GRC platforms, ticketing system integrations, and policy tracking software can make a huge difference. You don’t need to code to make a process more efficient—you just need to understand where the bottlenecks are.
5. Develop Soft Skills
Your ability to listen, explain, and guide people through audits or policy changes is just as important as your technical knowledge. The best compliance professionals aren’t the loudest—they’re the clearest.
Cybersecurity compliance is a field where curiosity, consistency, and communication go a long way. Start with understanding, grow with collaboration, and lead with empathy.
Adrian Ghira
Managing Partner & CEO, GAM Tech
Master Fundamentals Before Diving into Frameworks
If you’re just starting out in cybersecurity compliance, my advice is to get a good understanding of both cybersecurity fundamentals and regulatory frameworks—one without the other won’t get you far. I think it’s essential to familiarize yourself with key standards like NIST, ISO 27001, SOC 2, PCI-DSS, and GDPR, depending on the industry you’re in.
Compliance isn’t just about ticking boxes; it’s about understanding risk and knowing how to assess, mitigate, and communicate security concerns. I always say you don’t need to be a cybersecurity engineer, but having a solid understanding of technical concepts like encryption, access controls, and incident response will make you so much more valuable in the field.
One thing I’ve learned over the years is that communication skills are just as important as technical knowledge. A big part of compliance is educating teams, writing policies, and working with auditors, so being able to explain security requirements in plain English is a must.
And finally, cybersecurity is always changing, so staying current is key. I believe in continuous learning—whether it’s through industry news, certifications like CISA or CISSP, or engaging with the security community. If you keep building your knowledge and stay adaptable, you’ll put yourself in a great position for success.
Paul Baka
Director, SSLTrust
Develop Technical and Interpersonal Skills
If you’re stepping into the world of cybersecurity compliance, here’s a key piece of advice: become a master of the fundamentals. Don’t get lost in the sea of frameworks and regulations right away. Instead, focus on building a strong understanding of core concepts like risk assessment, data privacy, and security controls. Think of it as laying a solid foundation for a skyscraper; without it, the entire structure is vulnerable. Understanding how these elements interact will serve you well as you navigate the complexities of specific compliance standards.
You should immerse yourself in the language of compliance. Learn to interpret and apply standards like NIST, ISO 27001, or GDPR. This isn’t just about memorizing rules; it’s about understanding the intent behind them. What’s more, cultivate a strong ability to communicate. You’ll often need to translate technical jargon into clear, concise language for non-technical stakeholders.
Being able to explain why compliance matters and how it impacts the business is crucial. Additionally, consider seeking out mentors or experienced professionals who can guide you. Learn from their experiences and ask plenty of questions. This field is constantly evolving, so continuous learning is essential. Stay curious, stay informed, and never stop seeking to expand your knowledge.
Michael Gargiulo
Founder, CEO, VPN(dot)com
Balance Expertise with Relationship-Building
For those just starting in cybersecurity compliance, we believe the most valuable focus should be on developing a dual foundation of technical expertise and relationship-building skills.
The professionals who thrive in this field understand that cybersecurity isn’t just about technical protocols—it’s about protecting people and organizations through effective communication and collaboration.
We’ve observed that newcomers often concentrate exclusively on technical certifications and miss the equally important human element. The most successful cybersecurity compliance professionals we place can translate complex security concepts into language that resonates with everyone from the boardroom to the break room.
Start by investing time in understanding both the technical landscape and the business context in which you’ll operate. Learn how various departments view security challenges from their unique perspectives. This helps us craft solutions that balance security requirements with operational needs.
Join industry groups and attend events where you’ll connect with experienced professionals. These relationships become invaluable as your career progresses. The cybersecurity community is remarkably collaborative—we share insights because we face common threats.
Another crucial aspect we recommend is developing a practical understanding of regulatory frameworks. When we recruit for compliance positions, employers consistently value candidates who can navigate frameworks like GDPR, HIPAA, or PCI DSS and translate requirements into actionable security measures.
We also suggest finding opportunities to participate in cross-functional projects. This exposes you to different stakeholders and helps develop the diplomacy skills needed when implementing controls that might initially meet resistance.
Most importantly, approach your career with curiosity. Cybersecurity compliance requires lifelong learning as threats and regulations continually evolve. The professionals we place in leadership roles consistently demonstrate this adaptability.
Remember that compliance isn’t about checking boxes—it’s about building organizational resilience. When we view our work through this lens, we contribute real value that executives recognize and reward. In our placements, we find that professionals who understand this distinction advance more quickly and find greater satisfaction in their careers.
Julia Yurchak
Talent Sourcing, Acquisition & Management Specialist| Senior Recruitment Consultant, Keller Executive Search
Gain Hands-On Experience in Business Operations
Start by getting really comfortable with how businesses actually operate—not just ticking boxes or following checklists. The real value in cybersecurity compliance comes from understanding how security ties into real systems, workflows, and risks.
A few good focus areas:
Learn to communicate security in business terms—executives care about risk, not technical jargon.
Get hands-on with audits, policy reviews, and risk assessments. The detail work teaches a lot.
Stay curious about how things actually work—cloud setups, access controls, data flows. That context makes everything click.
Biggest edge? Don’t act like the “compliance police.” Be the person who helps teams stay secure without slowing them down. That’s how trust (and career growth) really starts.
Vipul Mehta
Co-Founder & CTO, WeblineGlobal
Prioritize Human Element in Security Frameworks
As a seasoned cybersecurity educator, my advice is to build a deep understanding of the human element in security frameworks. Learn to translate GDPR, SOC 2, and other complex regulations into actionable steps that organizations can adopt. Don’t make the mistake of treating compliance as an exercise of ticking boxes. Learn to bridge the gap between legal requirements and real-world implementation. Every compliance framework boils down to identifying risks. So, immerse yourself in fundamental risk assessment. Learn to apply NIST’s Risk Management Framework or ISO 27001 to real-life scenarios.
Compliance evolves as new threats emerge. For example, traditional controls like multi-factor authentication can’t fully address AI-driven phishing and deepfake scams. So, keep learning.
Martin Zandi
President, CCI Training Center
