Anthony LaFaziaCEO, Atlantic Training · CEO at Atlantic Training | EdTech & Safety Compliance Leader

The Three Pillars of Data Protection: What Federal Law Expects From You

7 Aug 2026 · 2 min

Watch on YouTube

2:10

In this video, speaker A outlines the three core categories of data‑protection safeguards required by federal law—administrative, technical, and physical. Administrative safeguards are the policies, procedures, and role definitions that set expectations for handling data, including training, access roles, and vendor oversight. Technical safeguards are the electronic tools that protect data, such as password policies, multifactor authentication, encryption, and secure networks. Physical safeguards protect data in the tangible world, like locked offices, controlled access, secure disposal, and clear‑desk practices. The speaker emphasizes that these layers must work together; neglecting any one weakens the overall protection system. Interspersed is a brief promotional spot (speaker B) for Atlantic Training’s Wave platform, which offers HR and soft‑skill training solutions.

Chapters

Protecting data isn't left to chance. Laws and regulations require organizations to implement reasonable safeguards to protect sensitive information. These safeguards generally fall into 3 categories: Administrative, technical, and physical. Administrative safeguards. These are the policies, procedures, and expectations that guide how information is handled. Examples include clear data handling policies, defined access roles and responsibilities, employee training and awareness, vendor and third-party oversight. Administrative safeguards set the rules of the road. They make expectations clear and ensure accountability.
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Technical safeguards. These are the tools and systems that protect data electronically. Examples include password and access controls, multifactor authentication, encryption, secure networks, and devices. You don't need to understand how these systems are built, but you do need to use them correctly and consistently. Physical safeguards. These protect information in the real world. Examples include locked offices and file cabinets, controlled access to workspaces, secure disposal of paper records, clear desk practices. Physical security still matters. Even in a digital workplace. Together, these three safeguards work as a system. When one layer is ignored, the entire structure becomes weaker.