# AuditOak
> Multi-framework GRC platform and compliance resource hub for SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, and PCI-DSS.

AuditOak helps GRC teams, compliance managers, and founders at fintech, healthcare, RegTech, and B2B SaaS companies build audit-ready compliance programs with actionable checklists, human-verified evidence, and cross-framework mapping.

## Product
- [Homepage](https://auditoak.com/): GRC platform overview
- [Platform](https://auditoak.com/platform): How AuditOak works
- [Pricing](https://auditoak.com/pricing): Transparent GRC software pricing
- [Security](https://auditoak.com/security): Platform security practices
- [Contact](https://auditoak.com/contact): Sales and GRC program inquiries

## Framework compliance guides
- [SOC 2 compliance guide](https://auditoak.com/frameworks/soc-2): AICPA Trust Services Criteria attestation for SaaS, fintech, health-tech, and B2B vendors subject to enterprise vendor security assessments.
- [ISO 27001 compliance guide](https://auditoak.com/frameworks/iso-27001): International Information Security Management System (ISMS) certification under ISO/IEC 27001:2022.
- [GDPR compliance guide](https://auditoak.com/frameworks/gdpr): EU General Data Protection Regulation, legal framework for processing personal data of individuals in the European Economic Area.
- [PCI-DSS compliance guide](https://auditoak.com/frameworks/pci-dss): Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS v4.0.1) for organizations handling payment card data.
- [All frameworks](https://auditoak.com/frameworks)

## Platform capabilities
- [Checklist Engine](https://auditoak.com/platform/checklist): Every control mapped from official framework language into concrete actions, with examples of what good evidence looks like.
- [Cross-Framework Mapping](https://auditoak.com/platform/cross-framework-mapping): One master control layer underneath SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, and PCI-DSS. When you verify a control in one framework, AuditOak finds likely matches in others, and asks you to confirm.
- [Evidence Management](https://auditoak.com/platform/evidence): Upload once, version automatically, link across controls and frameworks. Evidence may suggest a status, but never silently satisfies a control.
- [Readiness Scoring](https://auditoak.com/platform/readiness-score): Readiness = verified controls ÷ applicable controls. Only human-confirmed Verified status counts, no inflated scores from auto-accepted evidence.
- [Roles & Collaboration](https://auditoak.com/platform/team-collaboration): Six roles from Owner to External Auditor. Assign controls to engineers, HR, and ops, give auditors read-only scoped access without sharing everything.

## Industry GRC guides
- [fintech industry guide](https://auditoak.com/industries/fintech)
- [healthcare industry guide](https://auditoak.com/industries/healthcare)
- [regtech industry guide](https://auditoak.com/industries/regtech)
- [saas industry guide](https://auditoak.com/industries/saas)
- [kyc-identity industry guide](https://auditoak.com/industries/kyc-identity)
- [All industries](https://auditoak.com/industries)

## Compliance blog (38 guides)
- [Why KYC companies need a formal compliance program and how AuditOak helps](https://auditoak.com/blog/kyc-companies-need-compliance-auditoak): Bank due diligence GDPR obligations and SOC 2 expectations for identity and KYC technology vendors serving regulated financial institutions.
- [Face liveness compliance: what biometric IDV vendors need for SOC 2 and GDPR](https://auditoak.com/blog/face-liveness-compliance-guide): Security controls privacy obligations and audit evidence for face liveness and presentation attack detection providers serving regulated clients.
- [Document verification compliance: SOC 2 GDPR and vendor assessment readiness for IDV providers](https://auditoak.com/blog/document-verification-compliance): How document capture OCR and authenticity checking vendors build defensible GRC programs for financial services clients and bank diligence.
- [Transaction monitoring compliance: AML program controls and audit expectations for fintech GRC teams](https://auditoak.com/blog/transaction-monitoring-compliance-aml): Why transaction monitoring vendors and in-house AML teams need SOC 2 GDPR and documented GRC programs beyond regulatory filings alone.
- [Why payment processors and payment infrastructure companies need AuditOak](https://auditoak.com/blog/payment-processors-need-auditoak): PCI-DSS SOC 2 and GDPR in one GRC program for gateways orchestration layers and embedded payment platforms.
- [Embedded finance compliance: building a unified GRC program across KYC payments and fraud](https://auditoak.com/blog/embedded-finance-compliance-kyc-stack): How embedded finance platforms coordinate identity liveness document checks and transaction monitoring under one audit-ready compliance program.
- [GDPR and biometric data: compliance considerations for identity verification vendors](https://auditoak.com/blog/gdpr-biometric-data-idv-vendors): How GRC teams should evaluate GDPR obligations when using or providing identity verification services that process biometric and special category personal data.
- [Passing bank vendor assessments as a KYC or identity vendor: a GRC checklist](https://auditoak.com/blog/bank-vendor-assessment-kyc-vendors): Security questionnaires SOC 2 evidence requests and subprocessor documentation that tier-one banks expect from identity verification partners.
- [GDPR Data Processing Agreements: requirements, clauses, and vendor management](https://auditoak.com/blog/gdpr-data-processing-agreements): A practical guide for GRC teams on Article 28 DPA requirements, mandatory clauses, subprocessor management, and maintaining DPA registers across vendor relationships.
- [ISO 27001 for financial services: aligning ISMS certification with regulatory expectations](https://auditoak.com/blog/iso-27001-financial-services): How fintech and financial services GRC teams coordinate ISO 27001 certification with DORA, PCI-DSS, SOC 2, and banking partner due diligence requirements.
- [Building a GRC program from scratch: a playbook for first-time compliance teams](https://auditoak.com/blog/grc-program-from-scratch): Governance structure risk assessment control selection and tooling decisions for organizations without legacy GRC infrastructure.
- [GDPR and SOC 2 overlap: mapping privacy and security controls for unified GRC programs](https://auditoak.com/blog/gdpr-vs-soc-2-overlap): How GRC teams can identify control overlap between GDPR obligations and SOC 2 Trust Services Criteria to reduce duplicate evidence collection and audit preparation.
- [SOC 2 for healthcare and health-tech SaaS providers](https://auditoak.com/blog/soc-2-healthcare-saas): Health-tech SaaS companies navigate SOC 2 alongside HIPAA obligations and customer BAAs. Learn how to scope criteria and evidence for clinical and administrative data platforms.
- [ISO 27001 certification guide for GRC teams: from gap assessment to surveillance audit](https://auditoak.com/blog/iso-27001-certification-guide): A practical roadmap for achieving ISO 27001 certification, covering ISMS scope, risk treatment, Stage 1 and Stage 2 audits, and ongoing surveillance obligations.
- [PCI-DSS compliance for SaaS companies using Stripe](https://auditoak.com/blog/pci-dss-saas-stripe): How GRC teams should scope PCI-DSS obligations when using Stripe for payment processing, including SAQ eligibility, shared responsibility, and control implementation.
- [SOC 2 compliance for fintech and payment companies](https://auditoak.com/blog/soc-2-fintech-compliance): Fintech companies face overlapping SOC 2, PCI DSS, and banking partner requirements. This guide covers scoping, control overlap, and evidence strategies for payment-adjacent SaaS.
- [GRC team roles and responsibilities: who owns what in a multi-framework program](https://auditoak.com/blog/grc-team-roles-responsibilities): Mapping control ownership across Owner Admin Manager and control assignees plus auditor access patterns for defensible programs.
- [ISO 27001 vs SOC 2 for EU companies: choosing the right assurance framework](https://auditoak.com/blog/iso-27001-vs-soc-2-eu-companies): A decision framework for European GRC teams evaluating ISO 27001 certification versus SOC 2 attestation based on market, customer expectations, and control overlap.
- [How to build a defensible ISO 27001 Statement of Applicability](https://auditoak.com/blog/iso-27001-statement-of-applicability): Practical guidance for GRC teams on structuring the SoA, documenting control applicability, justifying exclusions, and maintaining the document through surveillance audits.
- [SOC 2 evidence requirements: what auditors expect for Common Criteria controls](https://auditoak.com/blog/soc-2-evidence-requirements): Auditors evaluate design and operating effectiveness through specific evidence types. Learn what satisfies Common Criteria requests and what commonly fails review.
- [Cross-framework evidence reuse: how GRC teams eliminate duplicate audit work](https://auditoak.com/blog/cross-framework-evidence-reuse): Master control mapping confirmation workflows and audit trail requirements for multi-framework programs pursuing SOC 2 ISO 27001 GDPR and PCI-DSS.
- [Compliance readiness scoring: why verified controls should be the only numerator](https://auditoak.com/blog/readiness-score-methodology): How AuditOak calculates readiness and why auto-accepted evidence must not inflate your compliance percentage.
- [How to prepare for a SOC 2 audit: a GRC team fieldwork checklist](https://auditoak.com/blog/soc-2-audit-preparation): Fieldwork success depends on preparation weeks before the auditor arrives. Use this checklist to organize evidence, brief control owners, and reduce finding risk.
- [GDPR compliance checklist for US companies processing EU personal data](https://auditoak.com/blog/gdpr-compliance-checklist-us-companies): A structured checklist for US-based GRC teams establishing GDPR compliance when collecting, processing, or storing personal data of individuals in the European Economic Area.
- [PCI-DSS SAQ types explained: selecting the right self-assessment questionnaire](https://auditoak.com/blog/pci-dss-saq-types-explained): A guide for GRC teams on the eight PCI-DSS Self-Assessment Questionnaire types, eligibility criteria, requirement sets, and how to determine which SAQ applies to your environment.
- [PCI-DSS compliance roadmap for fintech startups](https://auditoak.com/blog/pci-dss-fintech-startups): A phased compliance plan for fintech GRC teams implementing PCI-DSS alongside SOC 2 and regulatory obligations, from initial scoping through first SAQ submission.
- [Multi-framework compliance for RegTech vendors: SOC 2 ISO 27001 and regulatory alignment](https://auditoak.com/blog/regtech-compliance-multi-framework): How regulatory technology companies satisfy bank due diligence and licensing body expectations simultaneously without duplicate GRC programs.
- [SOC 2 Trust Services Criteria explained for GRC practitioners](https://auditoak.com/blog/soc-2-trust-services-criteria): The Trust Services Criteria framework defines what SOC 2 auditors evaluate. This guide breaks down each category and the Common Criteria every program includes.
- [Implementing GDPR Article 32: technical and organizational security measures](https://auditoak.com/blog/gdpr-article-32-implementation): Practical guidance for GRC teams on implementing Article 32 security requirements, mapping measures to ISO 27001 and SOC 2 controls, and demonstrating accountability.
- [SOC 2 Type I vs Type II: choosing the right report for your GRC roadmap](https://auditoak.com/blog/soc-2-type-i-vs-type-ii): Type I and Type II reports answer different buyer questions. Learn when each is appropriate and how to transition between them without losing momentum.
- [Coordinating HIPAA and SOC 2 in a unified healthcare compliance program](https://auditoak.com/blog/healthcare-hipaa-soc2-program): Business associate obligations security rule mapping and evidence strategies for health-tech GRC teams pursuing enterprise hospital customers.
- [SOC 2 total cost of ownership in 2026: tooling, audit fees, and internal labor](https://auditoak.com/blog/soc-2-real-cost-2026): SOC 2 budgets often underestimate internal labor and ongoing tooling. This breakdown covers realistic 2026 costs for first-time and renewal audits.
- [Why human-verified evidence is the correct default for GRC software](https://auditoak.com/blog/human-verified-evidence): Automated pass/fail signals without human attestation undermine audit defensibility. Here is what GRC teams should require from their compliance platform.
- [How to evaluate GRC software: a buyer's guide for compliance teams](https://auditoak.com/blog/choosing-grc-software): Criteria for platform selection: control clarity verification model multi-framework support pricing transparency and auditor experience.
- [GDPR Data Subject Access Request process: a GRC team implementation guide](https://auditoak.com/blog/gdpr-dsar-process-guide): How to design, implement, and operate a DSAR workflow that meets GDPR Articles 15-22 requirements within statutory timelines while maintaining audit trails.
- [SOC 2 vs ISO 27001: sequencing a multi-framework GRC program](https://auditoak.com/blog/soc-2-vs-iso-27001): SOC 2 and ISO 27001 overlap significantly but serve different buyer expectations. Learn how to sequence both frameworks without duplicating effort.
- [How to achieve SOC 2 Type I readiness as a growing SaaS company](https://auditoak.com/blog/soc-2-startup-guide): A practical roadmap for early-stage SaaS teams pursuing SOC 2 Type I, from scoping trust criteria to closing control gaps before fieldwork begins.
- [Vanta alternative for small business and mid-market GRC teams](https://auditoak.com/blog/vanta-alternative-small-business): When comprehension-first tooling and transparent pricing fit better than integration-first automation for SMB compliance programs.
- [Blog index](https://auditoak.com/blog)

## Glossary (control definitions)
- [SOC 2 CC6.1: Logical Access Controls](https://auditoak.com/glossary/soc2-cc6-1): Restrict logical access to systems and data so only authorized personnel can access protected information assets, with documented policies and periodic review.
- [SOC 2 CC6.6: Multi-Factor Authentication](https://auditoak.com/glossary/soc2-cc6-6): Require multi-factor authentication for access to systems and data that support the entity's objectives, enforced organization-wide, not only for privileged users.
- [SOC 2 CC6.7: Data Transmission Encryption](https://auditoak.com/glossary/soc2-cc6-7): Protect data in transit using encryption and secure transmission protocols to prevent unauthorized interception.
- [SOC 2 CC7.2: Security Event Monitoring](https://auditoak.com/glossary/soc2-cc7-2): Monitor system components for anomalies and security events, with alerts routed to personnel who can investigate and respond.
- [ISO 27001 A.5.15: Access Control](https://auditoak.com/glossary/iso-a5-15): Establish and implement rules governing physical and logical access to information and associated assets based on business need and least privilege.
- [ISO 27001 A.8.5: Secure Authentication](https://auditoak.com/glossary/iso-a8-5): Implement secure authentication technologies and procedures commensurate with information access restrictions and the access control policy.
- [ISO 27001 A.8.24: Use of Cryptography](https://auditoak.com/glossary/iso-a8-24): Define and implement rules for the effective use of cryptography to protect information confidentiality, authenticity, and integrity.
- [ISO 27001 A.8.16: Monitoring Activities](https://auditoak.com/glossary/iso-a8-16): Monitor networks, systems, and applications for anomalous behavior and take appropriate action to evaluate potential information security incidents.
- [GDPR Article 32: Security of Processing](https://auditoak.com/glossary/gdpr-art-32): Implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to ensure a level of security appropriate to the risk, including encryption, resilience, restore capability, and regular testing.
- [GDPR Article 28: Processor Obligations](https://auditoak.com/glossary/gdpr-art-28): When engaging processors, use only those providing sufficient guarantees and execute a Data Processing Agreement with required Article 28(3) clauses.
- [GDPR Article 15: Right of Access](https://auditoak.com/glossary/gdpr-art-15): Establish procedures to respond to data subject access requests within one month, providing prescribed information about processing activities.
- [PCI-DSS 7.1: Limit Access by Business Need to Know](https://auditoak.com/glossary/pci-7-1): Restrict access to system components and cardholder data to only those individuals whose job requires it, based on least privilege.
- [PCI-DSS 8.3: Multi-Factor Authentication](https://auditoak.com/glossary/pci-8-3): Require MFA for all access into the cardholder data environment and for all remote network access originating from outside the entity's network.
- [PCI-DSS 4.2: Protect Cardholder Data in Transit](https://auditoak.com/glossary/pci-4-2): Never send primary account numbers over end-user messaging technologies and use strong cryptography for transmission over open, public networks.
- [PCI-DSS 3.5: Protect Stored Account Data](https://auditoak.com/glossary/pci-3-5): Do not store sensitive authentication data after authorization and protect stored cardholder data with strong cryptography.
- [SOC 2 CC9.2: Vendor and Business Partner Management](https://auditoak.com/glossary/soc2-cc9-2): Assess and manage risks associated with vendors and business partners who have access to confidential information or provide services to the entity.
- [SOC 2 CC1.1: Integrity and Ethical Values](https://auditoak.com/glossary/soc2-cc1-1): Demonstrate commitment to integrity and ethical values through tone at the top, standards of conduct, and enforcement mechanisms.
- [ISO 27001 A.5.4: Management Responsibilities](https://auditoak.com/glossary/iso-a5-4): Require management to demonstrate commitment to the ISMS and ensure personnel understand their information security responsibilities.
- [Full glossary](https://auditoak.com/glossary)

## Comparisons
- [AuditOak vs Vanta](https://auditoak.com/compare/vanta)
- [AuditOak vs Drata](https://auditoak.com/compare/drata)
- [AuditOak vs Strike Graph](https://auditoak.com/compare/strike-graph)

## Resources
- [Resources hub](https://auditoak.com/resources)
- [Free templates](https://auditoak.com/templates)
- [About AuditOak](https://auditoak.com/about)

## Legal
- [Privacy Policy](https://auditoak.com/privacy)
- [Terms of Service](https://auditoak.com/terms)
- [Data Processing Agreement](https://auditoak.com/dpa)
- [Subprocessors](https://auditoak.com/subprocessors)

## Technical
- [HTML site map (all pages)](https://auditoak.com/sitemap)
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## Primary keywords
GRC software, GRC platform, SOC 2 compliance, SOC 2 checklist, ISO 27001 compliance, ISO 27001 certification, GDPR compliance, PCI-DSS compliance, compliance automation, multi-framework GRC, fintech compliance, healthcare compliance, RegTech compliance, evidence management, audit readiness, cross-framework mapping, human-verified evidence, KYC compliance, vendor security assessment.