For many small businesses on the Crystal Coast, compliance
can feel like a moving target. Regulations change, cyber threats evolve, and
suddenly you're hearing new acronyms—FTC, GDPR, HIPAA, PCI—without a clear
understanding of who they apply to or what you're supposed to do next.
At ACS, we hear it all the time:
"We just want to make sure we're protected and compliant…
without all the tech jargon."
That's precisely what this guide is for.
Let's break down what these regulations really mean, why they matter for small businesses, and how to stay compliant without disrupting your operations.
Why IT Compliance Matters More Than Ever
Between email threats, foreign login attempts, and
increasingly targeted attacks on small businesses, security and compliance
can't be an afterthought anymore.
ACS sees this firsthand—especially when it comes to Office
365 account breaches and security gaps that businesses aren't even aware of
until something goes wrong.
Compliance frameworks exist for a reason:
- To
protect sensitive customer data
- To
reduce the risk of cyberattacks
- To
hold businesses accountable for handling information responsibly
- To
safeguard financial, medical, and personal information
And some regulations—especially the FTC Safeguards Rule—now carry real financial consequences for noncompliance.
Let's look at what you actually need to know.
The FTC Safeguards Rule: What It Means and Who Must Follow It
Many Crystal Coast businesses are surprised to learn they
fall under the FTC Safeguards Rule, not just large financial
institutions.
The FTC considers businesses "financial institutions" if
they are significantly engaged in financial activities—even if that's
not their primary business. That includes:
- CPA
firms
- Tax
preparers
- Bookkeepers
- Mortgage
brokers
- Some
professional service providers handle financial records
- Any
business storing or transmitting sensitive financial data
This rule has become one of the most critical compliance
topics for small businesses, because, unlike HIPAA—which businesses often
ignore with little consequence—the FTC Safeguards Rule has "serious teeth."
What the FTC Requires You to Do
In simple terms, your business must:
- Protect
customer data with reasonable security measures
- Monitor
who accesses that information
- Detect
and respond to unauthorized access
- Maintain
secure backups
- Keep
hardware and software up to date
- Document
your Written Information Security Program (WISP)
- Train
employees on cybersecurity
- Use
qualified IT providers to implement and monitor safeguards
If that sounds overwhelming, that's normal, especially for
small teams without an internal IT department. That's why many CPA firms and
service-based businesses partner with ACS for ongoing monitoring and compliance
support.
GDPR: What U.S. Small Businesses Need to Know
GDPR (the General Data Protection Regulation) is an EU
privacy law. Still, it affects U.S. companies far more often than most business
owners expect.
Your business may need to follow GDPR requirements if you:
- Have
customers or website visitors in the EU
- Collect
data from EU residents (even unintentionally)
- Sell
online services used internationally
- Use
tools that store or process personal information
Unlike the FTC Safeguards Rule, GDPR focuses heavily on privacy
rights, including:
- Clear
consent for data collection
- Transparent
data practices
- The
"right to be forgotten"
- Strict
requirements for data storage and transfers
- Heavy
fines for violations
Software tools can help with GDPR compliance, but the
foundation is still IT best practices: secure systems, protected data, and
active monitoring.
Other Compliance Areas Small Businesses Should Understand
While FTC and GDPR get the most attention, many Crystal
Coast businesses must also consider:
HIPAA (Medical & Dental Practices)
Longstanding but not heavily enforced in our region—until an
audit happens. Businesses still need appropriate safeguards, backups, access
controls, and training.
PCI (Businesses Taking Credit Cards)
Applies to any company that stores, processes, or transmits
cardholder information.
State Privacy Laws
Even if you're not regulated federally, state-level privacy
regulations are expanding fast.
Because ACS supports a wide range of professional
services—CPAs, lawyers, medical offices, contractors, hospitality, and more—our
team is familiar with the layers of compliance each industry faces.
The Real Challenge: Many Small Businesses Don't Know Their Gaps
Most small business owners have just enough IT knowledge to
get the day-to-day done—but not enough to evaluate their own security or
compliance posture.
Common blind spots include:
- Outdated
hardware that can't support modern security requirements
- Old
operating systems (Windows 10 nearing end-of-life)
- Lack
of Office 365 monitoring for foreign access attempts
- Missing
or incomplete backups
- Weak
or reused passwords
- Unsecured
email systems
- No
formal WISP
- No
employee cybersecurity training
These issues can create significant compliance gaps—often
without the business realizing anything is wrong until a breach occurs.
How ACS Helps Small Businesses Stay Compliant Without the Headache
Compliance doesn't need to be scary, expensive, or
complicated.
ACS supports small businesses across Carteret, Craven, and
Onslow Counties with:
24/7 monitoring of workstations, servers, and Office 365
We catch unauthorized access, especially foreign login
attempts—and automatically lock compromised accounts.
Managed Detection & Response (MDR)
Including EDR and managed antivirus, which strengthens
security for compliance frameworks.
Comprehensive SaaS backup and alerts
Protecting client data stored in Microsoft 365.
Technology Business Reviews (TBRs)
To evaluate hardware, plan Windows 11 upgrades, and ensure
systems meet compliance requirements.
Plain-English explanations, not technical jargon
Our team specializes in breaking down complicated IT requirements,
so business owners actually understand what's needed and why.
Fast, local support
Because local businesses want responsiveness—not a help desk
three states away.
Above all, we help ensure your business remains secure,
compliant, and operational, without the disruption or stress.
Staying Compliant Doesn't Have to Be Complex
Whether you're a CPA navigating the FTC Safeguards Rule, a service provider with customers overseas, or a small business simply wanting to "do things right," compliance comes down to two things: Protecting your customers and Protecting your business.
ACS is here to help you do both.
If you're unsure whether your business is compliant—or where
your vulnerabilities may be—our team can walk you through your environment in
clear, easy-to-understand terms and help you develop a plan.
Need Compliance Support? We're Here for Crystal Coast
Small Businesses
Serving Carteret, Craven, and Onslow Counties since 1997,
ACS is the trusted IT partner for small businesses that need clarity, security,
and reliable protection.
Local. Responsive. Proactive.
Helping you stay secure and compliant—without the confusion.
Click Here or give us a call at 252-240-3399 to Book a FREE 15-Minute Discovery Call
