Patrick Hughes

Patrick Hughes

Patrick Hughes is a seasoned Cybersecurity Practitioner at Compass IT Compliance with over ten years of comprehensive experience in the IT audit and compliance field. As a certified PCI Qualified Security Assessor (QSA), Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), and Certified Data Privacy Solutions Engineer (CDPSE), Patrick brings extensive technical expertise to every client engagement. Throughout his decade-long career, he has partnered with organizations across diverse industries, guiding them through complex regulatory landscapes with specialized focus on PCI DSS assessments, HIPAA compliance, and business continuity planning. Patrick is passionate about building strong client relationships and thrives in the dynamic, multifaceted environment that IT audit provides, combining technical rigor with clear communication to help organizations strengthen their overall security posture while achieving their compliance objectives.

Posts by Patrick Hughes

How to Define Your Cardholder Data Environment (CDE) Under PCI DSS

How to Define Your Cardholder Data Environment (CDE) Under PCI DSS

Before an organization can implement Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) controls, it must answer a foundational question: what is in scope? The answer lies in the definition of the Cardholder Data Environment (CDE). Get it wrong, and everything built on top of it i …

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When to Hire a PCI Compliance Consultant (and What They Actually Do)

When to Hire a PCI Compliance Consultant (and What They Actually Do)

If your business stores, processes, or transmits cardholder data, PCI DSS compliance isn't optional. But knowing that you need to comply is a very different thing from knowing how to actually get there. Somewhere between your first self-assessment questionnaire and your first failed s …

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Staying HIPAA Compliant While Leveraging Telehealth

Telehealth Doctor

In the rapidly evolving landscape of healthcare, telehealth has emerged as a pivotal technology, offering unprecedented convenience and accessibility to patients and providers alike. However, as healthcare organizations increasingly adopt these digital health services, the imperative …

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10 Tips for Choosing a Managed Service Provider (MSP)

Managed IT Services Provider

In today's fast-paced digital landscape, mastering IT management is a make-or-break deal for businesses, big and small. Wrangling your IT infrastructure can be a formidable task, draining resources and headspace.

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HIPAA Compliance – Understanding Basic Best Practices

HIPAA Compliance

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) compliance is a critical facet of any healthcare organization's security measures. It is essential for businesses to take proactive steps to ensure that they comply with the regulations set forth by HIPAA. To help ensure comp …

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The Difference Between IT Risk Assessments and IT Audits

The Difference Between IT Risk Assessments and IT Audits

While information technology (IT) risk assessments and information technology (IT) audits go hand in hand with one another, the two terms are often misused. There are quite a few key differences to note when it comes to IT risk assessments and IT audits and determining which is best f …

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