SOX and Financial Security Standards
The Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) is a U.S. law enacted to improve the accuracy and reliability of financial reporting for publicly traded companies. While primarily focused on financial controls, SOX has significant implications for cybersecurity and data integrity:
Internal Controls: Organizations must implement and maintain internal controls to ensure the accuracy of financial statements, including protecting financial data from cyber threats.
Data Integrity: SOX mandates that financial data be secure, accurate, and accessible, requiring organizations to secure the systems used to store financial records.
Audit Trails: Companies must establish audit trails to track any changes made to financial data. These trails help ensure accountability and identify potential security breaches.
Non-compliance with SOX can result in penalties, including substantial fines and imprisonment for corporate officers.