Compliance

GDPR explained for SaaS The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a comprehensive privacy law that protects personal data of individuals in the European Union. Even though it’s EU legislation, its reach extends globally—including SaaS companies anywhere handling EU user data. This guide helps you understand GDPR’s requirements and apply them practically in your SaaS product. Who needs to comply? SaaS businesses processing data of EU residents, regardless of company location Those offering cloud services to EU-based customers Teams using tracking, analytics, or behavioral tools involving personal data GDPR applies if you collect, store, or use personal data of EU individuals—even indirectly. ...

Vanta vs Drata Both Vanta and Drata are top-tier compliance automation platforms used by SaaS companies to achieve frameworks like SOC 2, ISO 27001, and GDPR. While they share common goals, their approach, automation depth, and ideal customer profiles differ significantly. Integrations and Automation Vanta supports over 300 native integrations across cloud services, HR tools, ticketing systems, and more. It covers a wide variety of SaaS tools, making it easy to plug in systems already in use. Drata offers fewer integrations (around 170), but leans into deeper compliance automation—such as continuous monitoring, GitHub workflows, and customizable evidence collection. Summary: Vanta provides broader plug-and-play integrations; Drata offers more technical depth for teams who want to operationalize compliance across engineering. ...

What is ISO 42001? ISO 42001 is a groundbreaking new standard designed to help organizations manage risks associated with artificial intelligence. It provides guidelines for responsible, ethical, and secure deployment of AI systems—and SaaS companies integrating AI features need to know about it. Why ISO 42001 Matters for SaaS Builds trust in AI – Shows customers and stakeholders you prioritize safety, fairness, and transparency Mitigates AI risks – Helps you identify bias, robustness, accountability, and misalignment risks Governance alignment – Complements existing frameworks like ISO 27001 and GDPR Future-proofs your product – Early adoption demonstrates readiness for evolving regulations and customer expectations Core Concepts in ISO 42001 1. AI Governance Framework Establish clear policies, assign AI stewards or teams, and define ownership and accountability across your organization. ...

What is SOC 2? SOC 2 is a U.S.-based audit standard built around five trust principles—security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy. It’s focused on how service providers manage customer data and is essential for SaaS businesses courting enterprise clients. Why SOC 2 matters for SaaS Buyers expect it—enterprise and mid-market customers often require a SOC 2 report before signing contracts Proves internal rigor—shows you have controls, monitoring, and incident response in place Supports future compliance—sets strong foundations for GDPR, ISO 27001, and other audits Drives process maturity—encourages best practices in access, logging, recovery, and updates SOC 2 Trust Service Criteria SOC 2 evaluates a system against these key areas: ...

Why Do You Need Compliance? Compliance can feel like a formality—something you only deal with when a customer asks for a SOC 2 report or when legal demands it. But the reality is, getting compliance right early is one of the smartest moves a SaaS company can make. This guide walks you through what compliance actually means, what it unlocks for your company, and how to make it a strength rather than a headache. ...

Drata vs Secfix If you’re choosing between Drata and Secfix for compliance automation, you’re already heading in the right direction. Both platforms can help you achieve SOC 2, ISO 27001, and GDPR—but the right fit depends on your team size, technical capacity, and how much support you need along the way. Compliance Automation and Integrations Drata offers deep automation, over 170 integrations, and near real-time evidence syncing. It’s built to work across complex, engineering-heavy environments. Secfix integrates with essential platforms like AWS, Google Workspace, GitHub, Azure, and Jira. It automates 80 to 90 percent of evidence requirements for SOC 2 and ISO 27001—focusing on what early-stage teams actually need. Summary: Drata offers more advanced automation. Secfix simplifies the experience and gives startups what they need to get certified quickly. ...

ISO 27001: The Global Standard for Information Security ISO 27001 is an international standard that outlines how to build and maintain an Information Security Management System (ISMS). It helps companies protect data, reduce risks, and demonstrate trust to customers, partners, and regulators. For SaaS businesses, startups, and enterprises alike, ISO 27001 certification is a clear signal that you take information security seriously — and follow a structured, auditable approach to protect it. ...

ISO 27001 Readiness Checklist ISO 27001 is one of the most widely adopted information security standards in the world. If your company is preparing for certification, this checklist will help you understand the essential steps involved — from defining your security policies to preparing for the audit itself. Whether you’re a fast-moving startup or scaling SaaS business, this guide simplifies what to expect and how to prepare. 1. Define the Scope of Your ISMS Identify the parts of your business to include (e.g. product, infrastructure, customer data) Document the boundaries and interfaces of your ISMS Consider locations, teams, tools, and third-party dependencies 2. Conduct a Risk Assessment Identify potential security risks to your information assets Evaluate their likelihood and potential impact Define a risk treatment plan to mitigate or accept risks Maintain a risk register and update it regularly 3. Develop Required Documentation Information Security Policy Risk Assessment Methodology Statement of Applicability (SoA) Asset Management Policy Access Control Policy Incident Response Plan Business Continuity Plan Note: Documentation must align with the ISO 27001 control set (Annex A). ...

ISO 42001: Managing AI Responsibly ISO 42001 is the first international standard focused on the governance, risk management, and operational control of artificial intelligence systems. Released in 2023, it provides a structured approach for organizations developing or using AI to ensure their systems are trustworthy, transparent, and aligned with ethical principles. This guide explains what ISO 42001 covers, who needs it, and how to begin preparing for it. What Is ISO 42001? ISO 42001 is an AI Management System (AIMS) standard developed by the International Organization for Standardization. It helps organizations: ...

What is ISO 27001? ISO 27001 is the international standard for information security management. It provides a structured framework called an Information Security Management System (ISMS), designed to help organizations assess risks, apply robust controls, and continually improve their security posture. Why ISO 27001 matters for SaaS companies For SaaS businesses handling customer data, getting ISO 27001 certified signals maturity and builds instant trust with buyers—especially in Europe or enterprise segments. It also improves how your team handles risk, operational continuity, and vendor requirements. ...