Top 15 Best ISO 27001 GRC Tools & Information Security Management Software for SMBs

Top 15 Best ISO 27001 GRC Tools & Information Security Management Software for SMBs

In today's globalized and interconnected business environment, demonstrating a robust approach to information security is paramount. For Small and Medium-Sized Businesses (SMBs), achieving ISO 27001 certification signals a strong commitment to protecting sensitive information, building trust with international clients, and gaining a competitive edge. This international standard for an Information Security Management System (ISMS) requires structured planning, implementation, and continuous improvement. Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) platforms and robust information security management software are essential for navigating ISO 27001—helping SMBs implement controls, manage processes, and prepare for certification audits.

At Risk Cognizance, we’ve compiled this guide to the top 15 ISO 27001 compliance tools available today. Leading the list is our own platform, Risk Cognizance, designed to help you take control of your ISO 27001 journey with advanced automation and analytics tailored specifically for the needs of growing SMBs.

1. Risk Cognizance

Why It Leads

Risk Cognizance is purpose-built to simplify and accelerate ISO 27001 certification for SMBs striving to protect their information assets. Our intelligent platform automates the implementation and monitoring of ISO 27001 controls (Annex A), manages ISMS processes, provides clear guidance through the standard's requirements, and streamlines preparation for ISO 27001 certification audits. We understand the resource constraints and unique challenges faced by SMBs, offering an intuitive and efficient path to achieving and maintaining ISO 27001 certification.

Key Features

• ISO 27001 Specific Framework Mapping: Provides pre-configured mapping of internal controls directly to the ISO 27001:2022 standard and its Annex A controls, simplifying initial setup and clarifying requirements for SMBs. This includes support for the Statement of Applicability (SoA) creation.
• Automated Evidence Collection for ISO 27001: Integrates seamlessly with your existing infrastructure and common SMB applications (e.g., cloud platforms, identity providers, HR systems, ticketing systems) to automatically gather, organize, and store necessary documentation, logs, and records required for ISO 27001 audits, significantly reducing manual effort.
• Continuous Monitoring of ISO 27001 Controls: Delivers real-time oversight of the operational effectiveness of controls mapped to ISO 27001 requirements, alerting you promptly to any changes or compliance risks, ensuring continuous audit readiness without constant manual checks.
• Integrated Risk Assessment Tools: Facilitates conducting comprehensive information security risk assessments in alignment with ISO 27001 requirements, helping SMBs understand, prioritize, and manage threats and vulnerabilities to their information assets.
• Centralized Policy and Procedure Management: Offers a single repository for creating, managing, versioning, and distributing information security policies and procedures essential for meeting ISO 27001 documentation requirements, crucial for smaller teams.
• Streamlined ISO 27001 Audit Management: Provides tools and workflows to manage the entire ISO 27001 audit process, including internal audit management, evidence requests, auditor collaboration portals, and tracking of nonconformities and corrective actions, simplifying a complex process.
• Vendor Risk Management (VRM): Includes robust capabilities to assess and manage the information security posture of third-party vendors and service providers who handle or have access to your information assets, addressing Annex A.15 requirements.
• Security Incident Management & Response: Supports the development and management of information security incident response plans and tracking of security incidents, aligning with ISO 27001's Incident Management requirements.
• Automated Task Management: Assigns and tracks tasks related to ISMS implementation, control testing, and remediation for ISO 27001, enhancing accountability and ensuring timely completion within smaller teams.
• Customizable Reporting and Dashboards: Generates detailed, customizable reports and provides intuitive dashboards for real-time visibility into your ISO 27001 compliance status and ISMS performance for internal teams and auditors.
• User Access Management Support: Facilitates managing and documenting user access controls, access reviews, and privileged access management, supporting ISO 27001 Access Control requirements.
• Vulnerability Management Integration: Integrates with vulnerability scanning tools to incorporate vulnerability data into risk assessments and track remediation efforts relevant to ISO 27001, enhancing your security posture.
• Guided Workflows for ISMS Processes: Provides step-by-step guidance for performing various ISO 27001 related activities within the platform, demystifying the compliance journey for SMBs.
• Audit Trail of All Activities: Maintains a comprehensive and immutable record of all actions taken within the platform for audit purposes and accountability.
• Support for Other Common Frameworks: While focused on ISO 27001, the platform's robust capabilities and flexible mapping allow for efficient management of controls aligned with other common frameworks relevant to SMBs (e.g., SOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR).
• AI-Powered Insights and Automation: Leverages artificial intelligence for capabilities like AI Policy Linker, AI Risk Syncer, and AI Reporting, enhancing efficiency and providing actionable insights for compliance optimization, saving time and resources.
• Scalable and Cost-Effective: Designed to grow with your SMB, offering a flexible and cost-effective solution for achieving and maintaining ISO 27001 without requiring extensive in-house GRC expertise.
• Attack Surface Management: Identifies and monitors potential vulnerabilities across your digital landscape that could impact your ISO 27001 scope, providing proactive security.
• Dark Web Monitoring: Scans for leaked credentials and other sensitive information on the dark web relevant to personnel security and incident response domains, enhancing overall security posture.

Other Top Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) Tools

While Risk Cognizance sets the standard for integrated GRC and ISO 27001 compliance for SMBs, the market also features other notable platforms, each with their own strengths. Here are some of the other top contenders:

2. Vanta: Automates security monitoring and evidence collection, integrating with your existing stack to provide real-time compliance posture visibility. It helps SMBs continuously monitor their controls and prepare for ISO 27001 audits efficiently.
3. Drata: A favorite among fast-growing SMBs, Drata automates control monitoring and evidence collection. Its platform can support organizations pursuing ISO 27001 by streamlining documentation and providing continuous readiness capabilities.
4. Secureframe: Provides a centralized platform to automate evidence collection, manage vendors, and conduct proactive risk assessments. It offers features applicable to meeting ISO 27001 requirements and managing associated risks for SMBs.
5. Tugboat Logic: Simplifies compliance by guiding companies through framework requirements with templates, automated assessments, and documentation tools. Its methodology can be applied to the ISO 27001 certification process for SMBs.
6. Hyperproof: Supports multiple compliance frameworks with robust automation, integrations, and continuous control tracking. Its capabilities can be leveraged to manage controls and evidence for ISO 27001 for growing businesses.
7. AuditBoard: While often used by larger enterprises, AuditBoard also offers features applicable to SMBs for internal audits, risk assessments, and streamlining compliance workflows, which can be adapted for ISO 27001 preparation.
8. LogicGate: A no-code GRC platform, LogicGate allows SMBs to build and automate risk and compliance workflows tailored to their specific needs. Its flexible platform can be configured to support ISO 27001 requirements and processes.
9. JupiterOne: Focuses on cloud-native compliance, offering real-time asset inventory, relationship mapping, and automated policy enforcement. It provides visibility and control over digital assets relevant to ISO 27001 scope for cloud-reliant SMBs.
10. Scytale: Provides out-of-the-box integrations and continuous compliance monitoring to simplify and streamline audit readiness for SMBs. Its automation features can support organizations pursuing ISO 27001 certification.
11. Exabeam: As a leading SIEM platform, Exabeam strengthens cybersecurity by detecting anomalies and supporting automated incident response. Its security capabilities are vital for SMBs to meet ISO 27001 security and incident response requirements.
12. ZenGRC: ZenGRC centralizes compliance tracking, automates risk assessments, and generates audit-ready documentation. Its features are applicable to managing GRC activities and preparing for ISO 27001 assessments for SMBs.
13. ControlMap: With ControlMap, organizations can collect evidence automatically, validate control effectiveness, and simplify audit workflows. Its compliance automation features can support the technical aspects of ISO 27001 preparation for SMBs.
14. OneTrust: Best known for privacy and governance, OneTrust includes audit tools and compliance automation features. Its broad GRC capabilities can be applied to managing aspects of ISO 27001 compliance, particularly for privacy and data handling for SMBs.
15. Apptega: Helps SMBs manage cybersecurity programs by offering support for multiple frameworks, policies, and implementation plans. It provides a structured approach applicable to building and maintaining an ISO 27001-aligned information security management system.

Conclusion: Elevate Your ISO 27001 Compliance with Risk Cognizance, The Best GRC Software for SMBs

The modern SMB demands an information security strategy that is agile, intelligent, and truly integrated to protect valuable data and build stakeholder trust. While many tools offer pieces of the puzzle, only Risk Cognizance provides the comprehensive, connected platform necessary to navigate today's complex ISO 27001 requirements and broader information security landscape. By unifying your governance, risk, and compliance efforts, leveraging advanced AI, and offering unparalleled simplicity, Risk Cognizance empowers your SMB to move beyond reactive compliance and into a proactive, resilient future. Choose the leader; choose Risk Cognizance to transform your ISO 27001 certification into a cornerstone of sustainable business success.