Top 15 Best SOC 2 GRC Tools & Cybersecurity Software

Top 15 Best SOC 2 GRC Tools & Cybersecurity Software for SMBs

As businesses increasingly rely on cloud services and handle sensitive customer data, achieving and maintaining SOC 2 compliance has become a critical differentiator and often a requirement, especially for Small and Medium-Sized Businesses (SMBs). SOC 2 demonstrates your commitment to data security and privacy, building trust with clients and partners. Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) platforms and robust cybersecurity software are essential for navigating SOC 2—helping SMBs implement practices, manage processes, and prepare for assessments across the required Trust Services Criteria (TSC).

At Risk Cognizance, we’ve compiled this guide to the top 15 SOC 2 compliance tools available today. Leading the list is our own platform, Risk Cognizance, designed to help you take control of your SOC 2 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 SOC 2 compliance for SMBs handling sensitive customer information. Our intelligent platform automates the implementation and monitoring of SOC 2 controls and processes, provides clear guidance across Trust Services Criteria, and streamlines preparation for SOC 2 assessments. We understand the resource constraints and unique challenges faced by SMBs, offering an intuitive and efficient path to achieving and maintaining SOC 2 certification.

Key Features

• SOC 2 Specific Framework Mapping: Provides pre-configured mapping of internal controls directly to the SOC 2 Trust Services Criteria (Security, Availability, Processing Integrity, Confidentiality, Privacy) and all relevant Common Criteria, simplifying initial setup and clarifying requirements for SMBs.
• Automated Evidence Collection for SOC 2: 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 and logs required for SOC 2 audits, significantly reducing manual effort.
• Continuous Monitoring of SOC 2 Controls: Delivers real-time oversight of the operational effectiveness of controls mapped to SOC 2 criteria, alerting you promptly to any changes or compliance risks, ensuring continuous audit readiness without constant manual checks.
• Integrated Risk Assessment Tools: Facilitates conducting comprehensive risk assessments specifically focused on potential threats and vulnerabilities relevant to the SOC 2 Trust Services Criteria, helping SMBs understand and prioritize their security efforts.
• Centralized Policy and Procedure Management: Offers a single repository for creating, managing, versioning, and distributing security and compliance policies and procedures essential for meeting SOC 2 documentation requirements, crucial for smaller teams.
• Streamlined SOC 2 Audit Management: Provides tools and workflows to manage the entire SOC 2 audit process, including evidence requests, auditor collaboration portals, and tracking of findings and remediation efforts (Plan of Action and Milestones, POA&Ms, if applicable), for both Type 1 and Type 2 reports, simplifying a complex process.
• Vendor Risk Management (VRM): Includes robust capabilities to assess and manage the security and compliance posture of third-party vendors and service providers who handle or have access to your sensitive data, addressing a key aspect of SOC 2's supply chain security.
• Security Incident Response Planning and Tracking: Supports the development and management of incident response plans and tracking of security incidents, aligning with SOC 2 requirements for incident detection and response, ensuring SMBs are prepared.
• Automated Task Management: Assigns and tracks tasks related to control implementation, testing, and remediation for SOC 2, 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 SOC 2 compliance status and progress for internal teams and auditors.
• User Access Management Support: Facilitates managing and documenting user access controls and periodic reviews, supporting SOC 2's Access Control and Identification & Authentication criteria, vital for protecting sensitive data.
• Vulnerability Management Integration: Integrates with vulnerability scanning tools to incorporate vulnerability data into risk assessments and track remediation efforts relevant to SOC 2, enhancing your security posture.
• Guided Workflows for SOC 2 Processes: Provides step-by-step guidance for performing various SOC 2 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 SOC 2, the platform's robust capabilities and flexible mapping allow for efficient management of controls aligned with other common frameworks relevant to SMBs (e.g., HIPAA, GDPR, ISO 27001).
• 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 SOC 2 without requiring extensive in-house GRC expertise.
• Attack Surface Management: Identifies and monitors potential vulnerabilities across your digital landscape that could impact your SOC 2 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 SOC 2 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 audits efficiently.
3. Drata: A favorite among fast-growing SMBs, Drata automates control monitoring and evidence collection. Its platform can support organizations pursuing SOC 2 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 SOC 2 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 SOC 2 compliance 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 SOC 2 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 SOC 2 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 SOC 2 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 SOC 2 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 SOC 2 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 SOC 2 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 SOC 2 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 SOC 2 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 SOC 2 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 a SOC 2-aligned cybersecurity posture.

Conclusion: Elevate Your SOC 2 Compliance with Risk Cognizance, The Best GRC Software for SMBs

The modern SMB demands a GRC strategy that is agile, intelligent, and truly integrated to build trust and accelerate growth. While many tools offer pieces of the puzzle, only Risk Cognizance provides the comprehensive, connected platform necessary to navigate today's complex SOC 2 requirements and broader cybersecurity 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 SOC 2 compliance into a cornerstone of sustainable business success.