Compliance ensures that organisation adheres to government regulations domestically as well as globally if applicable and avoids missteps that could result in fines, legal ramifications and reputation damage. 
 
Compliance involves meeting various controls (usually enacted by a regulatory authority, law, or industry group) to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data. Compliance requirements vary by industry and sector, but typically involve using an array of specific organisational processes and technologies to safeguard data.