For many, the first step to unlocking growth is obtaining a SOC 2 report, which can be a complicated process. Many startups struggle to achieve compliance due to unclear requirements and an overwhelming number of tools to choose from, making it difficult to know which solution will ensure fast compliance.

Startups need an all-in-one solution, with support from industry experts and partners, to guide them through their first compliance journey and help them establish the foundation for a successful and scalable security programme.

Vanta has announced new and enhanced capabilities across its tools, partners, and expertise to assist startups in becoming compliant quickly and maintaining compliance with ease. Vanta offers a fully integrated and automated platform, an in-app compliance roadmap to keep startups on track, and an extensive partner network delivering integrated solutions – taking businesses from zero to compliance quickly.

Going from zero to compliance with a single, integrated platform

As startups begin their compliance journey, it is essential to complete it correctly and as swiftly as possible. Securing critical compliance frameworks helps teams build credibility with customers and unlock additional growth levers.

Vanta has assisted more than 8,000 organisations in becoming compliant quickly and maintaining compliance effortlessly. Through Vanta’s leading software platform, startups gain access to a system that integrates with their entire tech stack, automates data gathering, and provides tools to establish foundational security practices.

Vanta’s integrated platform supports compliance by providing:

• All the necessary tools to successfully adhere to a specific framework (control set, policies, document templates, and more)
• Over 350 integrations that connect to a company’s tech stack and automate the process of collecting evidence
• A streamlined and guided Policy Builder to help implement new policies confidently and swiftly
• Vulnerability management workflows that centralise vulnerability scanner results and establish SLAs around vulnerability criticality
• Employee security workflows, including security and privacy training videos, on- and offboarding workflows, and user access reviews
• Vendor security workflows to track and monitor third-party risk

Meet compliance goals with a personalised roadmap

One of the largest obstacles for startups in their compliance journey is a lack of internal expertise on the frameworks they need to meet. These teams often require guidance on which steps to take and which controls to implement to achieve compliance efficiently.

Vanta helps startups achieve compliance quickly with a personalised compliance roadmap that guides them through each key milestone and keeps them on track. After answering a few questions about compliance goals and tech stack, Vanta creates a personalised, milestone-driven guide that breaks down the entire compliance process into four key phases. Startups are guided to complete specific steps within each phase and can access additional support when needed.

The compliance roadmap is currently available for Vanta’s SOC 2 offering and will soon be available for ISO 27001.

Cyber insurance powered by Vouch

Cyber insurance provides peace of mind for companies and customers by offering coverage in case of a cyber incident. While cyber insurance is not a requirement for SOC 2, it is a well-established best practice, with 72% of Vanta’s startup customers having this control in place.

Vanta now offers direct access to leading cyber insurance coverage from Vouch, helping to streamline this key part of a security and compliance programme. Within minutes, businesses can submit an application directly in the Vanta platform and receive the appropriate coverage. The policy is automatically displayed in Vanta, ensuring control requirements are met without additional effort.

This integrated experience is available to all Vanta customers.

Centralised employee background checks powered by Certn

Conducting background checks is an important element of organisational security. Although not a requirement for SOC 2, background checks are a well-established best practice for startups and play a vital role in employee security as businesses grow.

Through Vanta’s partnership with Certn, companies gain access to discounted background checks, streamlining secure hiring practices. Background checks can be purchased, monitored, and viewed directly within the Vanta platform. Each background check purchased through Vanta includes a discount, saving businesses time and money as they implement this practice.

This capability is now available for all Vanta customers.

Privacy compliance with cookie consent management from Osano

Data management is a key element of compliance. With 94% of organisations reporting that customers avoid businesses that mishandle data, and regulations like GDPR in place, protecting customer data is crucial. Privacy compliance ensures responsible management of any data collected and enables startups to engage with customers globally with greater confidence.

Vanta has partnered with Osano, a leading data privacy management platform, to help startups implement data privacy practices swiftly and easily. Osano’s Cookie Consent solution simplifies compliance and transparency across more than 50 countries and 45 languages. With a quick setup – requiring just one line of code – most customers are operational within hours. Osano’s "No Fines, No Penalties" pledge further ensures confidence in privacy solutions.

Through this partnership, Vanta offers Osano’s Cookie Consent solution at a discount, helping startups establish robust data privacy practices early and sell to global customers more confidently.

Additional guidance and free pen tests from Vanta’s partner network

Startups often face limited time and resources, which can make it difficult to secure the support necessary to achieve security and compliance goals efficiently. Without this expertise, companies risk delaying essential security requirements, which can impede growth and the establishment of a strong security culture.

Vanta customers benefit from a seamless platform that automates the compliance process. If additional support is needed, Vanta offers access to leading solutions and service providers that can meet foundational security programme needs. From vCISO services to penetration testing and external scans, Vanta’s extensive partner network assists startups every step of the way.

Cognisys and Workstreet, two of Vanta’s partners, now offer complimentary web app penetration tests to Vanta customers, providing an easy way to identify security gaps and opportunities.