Compliance as a Competitive Edge for Small Businesses

ISMG's Sean D. Mack on Where SMBs Go Wrong in Compliance Tom Field (SecurityEditor) • December 9, 2025

Compliance has evolved from a regulatory checkbox into a foundation for trust and market access. Customers, partners and regulators now expect companies, regardless of size, to meet the same compliance frameworks as large enterprises. For small and mid-sized businesses, the challenge lies in managing these requirements with limited resources.

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Sean D. Mack, managing director of the CXO Advisor practice at ISMG, said companies can move past reactive compliance by embedding it into their operations. Automation and DevSecOps principles, such as "shift left," help businesses integrate compliance early and continuously, reducing costs and improving security outcomes. Fractional CISOs from CXO Advisor help organizations prepare for audits, align with regulatory requirements, and ensure compliance supports business objectives rather than hinders them.

"Compliance feels ...