Compliance requirements for websites can vary significantly based on the industry or vertical they serve. These requirements ensure that the site meets specific legal, security, and privacy standards. Here’s a 10k foot overview of some common compliance requirements for various verticals:

Healthcare (HIPAA, HITECH)

• HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act): Requires websites that handle Protected Health Information (PHI) to implement safeguards like encryption, secure user authentication, audit trails, and secure hosting environments. Websites should also have a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) with any third-party service providers handling PHI.
• HITECH (Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act): Enhances HIPAA requirements and mandates breach notification rules, increasing penalties for non-compliance.

Finance (PCI-DSS, SOX, GLBA)

• PCI-DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard): Applies to websites handling credit card transactions and requires strong encryption, secure payment gateways, regular security scans, and strict access controls.
• SOX (Sarbanes-Oxley Act): Requires financial transparency and secure data handling to prevent fraud. Websites must ensure secure data storage, access controls, and regular audits.
• GLBA (Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act): Mandates financial institutions to protect customer data through comprehensive information security programs, ensuring data confidentiality and integrity.

Government (FedRAMP, FISMA)

• FedRAMP (Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program): Requires cloud service providers hosting federal data to meet rigorous security standards, including encryption, continuous monitoring, and incident response protocols.
• FISMA (Federal Information Security Management Act): Requires government websites and systems to follow stringent cybersecurity standards, risk assessments, and information security programs to protect federal information.

Retail and E-commerce (PCI-DSS, CCPA, GDPR)

• PCI-DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard): Same as above, it applies to any e-commerce sites that process credit card transactions.
• CCPA (California Consumer Privacy Act): Requires websites to inform users about data collection practices, allow them to opt-out of data sales, and provide a method for deleting personal information.
• GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation): Requires websites serving EU citizens to obtain explicit consent for data collection, ensure data portability, and provide the right to be forgotten. Websites must also ensure secure data handling and storage.

Education (FERPA, COPPA)

• FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act): Protects the privacy of student education records. Websites of educational institutions must have secure access controls and data protection measures.
• COPPA (Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act): Applies to websites that collect data from children under 13. Requires parental consent for data collection, secure data storage, and disclosure of data collection practices.

Healthcare Research (21 CFR Part 11, GxP)

• 21 CFR Part 11: Requires electronic records and signatures to be secure, validated, and auditable for any entity involved in FDA-regulated research.
• GxP (Good Practice standards): Includes guidelines like Good Clinical Practice (GCP), Good Laboratory Practice (GLP), and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) for research websites and systems.

Telecommunications (CALEA, CPRA)

• CALEA (Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act): Requires telecommunications providers to ensure their networks can be wiretapped by law enforcement.
• CPRA (California Privacy Rights Act): An amendment to CCPA, adds further data privacy requirements for businesses collecting personal data.

International Compliance (GDPR, LGPD, PIPEDA)

• GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation): As noted, applies to any website serving EU citizens.
• LGPD (Lei Geral de Proteção de Dados): Brazil’s data protection law similar to GDPR, with requirements for data processing transparency, data subject rights, and secure data handling.
• PIPEDA (Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act): Canada’s privacy law for websites handling Canadian citizens’ data, requiring consent, secure handling, and disclosure of data collection practices.

Media and Entertainment (DMCA, COPPA)

• DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act): Requires websites hosting user-generated content to have a process for removing infringing content upon request.
• COPPA (Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act): Also applies to media sites targeting children.

Transportation and Logistics (TSA, DOT Regulations)

• TSA (Transportation Security Administration) and DOT (Department of Transportation) Regulations: Websites of entities that handle passenger or cargo data may need to comply with specific security measures and privacy requirements.

General Requirements Across All Verticals:

• Accessibility (ADA, WCAG): Requires websites to be accessible to individuals with disabilities, providing assistive technologies and adhering to standards like WCAG 2.1.
• Security Standards (ISO 27001, NIST): General cybersecurity best practices, including encryption, regular audits, and security awareness training.

Conclusion

It’s important to remember that compliance isn’t just a checkbox—it’s a fundamental part of building trust and ensuring the security and privacy of your users. Whether you’re handling sensitive healthcare data under HIPAA, processing transactions that must meet PCI-DSS standards, or operating a government site in line with FedRAMP, having the right platform is crucial. 

At DevPanel, we understand the diverse compliance requirements across different verticals, and our platform is designed to integrate seamlessly with your existing cloud provider’s security and compliance frameworks. As long as your cloud provider supports the necessary standards, DevPanel provides the flexibility, security, and scalability you need to maintain compliance while focusing on what you do best. 

With DevPanel, you can build with confidence, knowing your site is up to code, no matter your industry.

Contact us to learn more.