Navigating compliance isn’t a one-time affair; it’s a continuous journey with checkpoints at least every 12 months. Given the intricate setup and the time it demands, it’s crucial to adopt a long-term perspective.

In this voyage, three key tools will guide you: a compliance platform, an auditor, and a penetration test service. Before committing to a compliance platform, it’s a wise move to request a product demo. This helps gauge the user-friendliness and the array of features on offer, ensuring you’re making an informed decision. Although these tools often come from different vendors, their coordinated effort is the key to seamless integration. Opting for vendors known for their harmonious collaboration is essential. For instance, we trusted Secureframe‘s recommendation and chose Prescient Assurance as our auditor – a decision we don’t regret. The added benefit? Prescient’s Pen Test services, further smoothing out our journey’s path.

Grasping the methodology and key milestones of your service provider is essential for a triumphant audit journey. Jumping headfirst without ample preparation can land you amidst myriad vulnerabilities and challenges. Most providers initiate with a pre-scan or preliminary audit, offering you a window to address their suggestions before the final review. To ensure a successful outcome, it’s wise to conduct internal audits first and then invite your service providers for a pre-scan. During the vendor selection phase, insist on a roadmap of deliverables. Especially if you’re new to this terrain, seasoned service providers should be eager to provide insights and advice for effective project management.

Also, it’s a good practice to inquire about the team that will be assigned to your project and understand their qualifications. Communication is crucial. For instance, Secureframe and Prescient facilitated our communication via dedicated Slack channels, enhancing our engagement beyond just emails and calls. This immediacy was invaluable, especially when unforeseen challenges arose. Case in point: We’d planned our 2023 audit with Prescient for August. Yet, when an RFP required us to submit our report in June, Prescient, despite their pre-existing commitments, went the extra mile to accommodate our needs.

The expansiveness of policy libraries is crucial. Having a platform stocked with a plethora of best-practice policies is a game-changer. It saves immense time and effort, eliminating the need to start from square one.

The ability to integrate with your existing infrastructure for compliance auditing is critical. It not only saves time but also allows for instantaneous snapshots, bolstering the credibility of the audit.

On a related note, Secureframe recently rolled out an AI-powered feature designed to assist customers in responding to RFP security queries. Given that security responses can make up to 40% of an RFP, this feature is a significant boon for companies actively participating in RFP bids. 

Before sealing the deal, always seek out 2-3 references. We gleaned surprising insights from our reference checks. It’s heartening to see how eager people are to share their experiences and lessons, helping you sidestep potential pitfalls.

I attached our vendor selection and reference check questionnaires at the end of this blog.