# episki

> episki is an AI-first GRC (governance, risk, and compliance) platform for growing teams. Its agents map controls, automate evidence collection, and keep auditors in sync across SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, PCI DSS, NIST CSF, CMMC, and more.

This file follows the [llms.txt](https://llmstxt.org) convention. AI agents and crawlers are welcome to use it to navigate the site. Content is freely cited as long as attribution links to https://episki.com.

## Product

The platform plus add-on modules, each priced and scoped independently.

- [Platform overview](https://episki.com/product/platform): The core GRC platform every plan includes.
- [episki AI](https://episki.com/product/ai): The agentic layer — autonomous evidence collection, control mapping, and monitoring.
- [Integrations](https://episki.com/product/integrations): Connectors that feed evidence into episki automatically.
- [AI Governance](https://episki.com/product/ai-governance): Govern the AI your organization uses. Agent and use-case registry, AI-specific risk treatments, and a certifiable AI Management System mapped to ISO 42001, NIS…
- [Policy Management](https://episki.com/product/policy): Author policies inline with rich editing. Route approvals to the right owner. Track versions. Delegate when owners go out. Publish to trust center automaticall…
- [Risk Management](https://episki.com/product/risk): Risk registers tied to controls and evidence. Quantitative and qualitative scoring. Treatment plans, acceptance workflows, and risk-tier reporting that auditor…
- [Third-Party Risk Management](https://episki.com/product/tprm): Unlimited vendors. Structured onboarding, outbound questionnaires, subprocessor tracking, and renewal workflows — with agents that read incoming SOC 2 reports…
- [Trust](https://episki.com/product/trust): A full Trust module — inbound security questionnaire ingestion with AI-drafted responses, NDA-gated document sharing, and a branded trust center on your custom…
- [Pricing](https://episki.com/pricing): Plans, modules, token allowances, and billing cycles.
- [Partner program](https://episki.com/partners): The Operator Partner Program for consultants and vCISOs.

## Frameworks

Hub pages with framework-level overviews, control mappings, checklists, and FAQs.

- [CCPA / CPRA](https://episki.com/frameworks/ccpa): Operationalize California consumer-privacy obligations — DSAR fulfillment, opt-out signals (GPC), sensitive PI inventory, and CPRA workflows.
- [CIS Controls](https://episki.com/frameworks/cis-controls): Implement the CIS Critical Security Controls v8.1 — 18 controls and 153 safeguards across Implementation Groups IG1-IG3 — mapped to NIST CSF, ISO 27001, and SO…
- [CMMC](https://episki.com/frameworks/cmmc): Prepare for CMMC Level 1, 2, and 3 assessments with pre-mapped NIST 800-171 controls, automated evidence collection, and C3PAO-ready workspaces. Start your fre…
- [CSA STAR](https://episki.com/frameworks/csa-star): Complete the CSA STAR program with the Cloud Controls Matrix v4 (CCM) and CAIQ — Level 1 self-assessment or Level 2 certification — cross-mapped to ISO 27001 a…
- [Cyber Essentials](https://episki.com/frameworks/cyber-essentials): Achieve UK Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus — the five technical controls, including mandatory MFA for cloud services — managed and evidenced in one…
- [DORA](https://episki.com/frameworks/dora): Meet the EU Digital Operational Resilience Act (Regulation 2022/2554) — ICT risk management, incident reporting, resilience testing, the Register of Informatio…
- [EU AI Act](https://episki.com/frameworks/eu-ai-act): Get ready for the EU AI Act (Regulation 2024/1689) — AI system inventory, risk classification, high-risk obligations, and crosswalks to ISO 42001 and the NIST…
- [FFIEC](https://episki.com/frameworks/ffiec): Meet FFIEC IT examination expectations after the CAT sunset — map to NIST CSF 2.0 or the CRI Profile, manage controls and evidence, and stay exam-ready.
- [FedRAMP](https://episki.com/frameworks/fedramp): Build toward FedRAMP Low, Moderate, or High authorization with NIST 800-53 baselines, SSP/SAR/POA&M workflows, and continuous monitoring artifacts.
- [GDPR](https://episki.com/frameworks/gdpr): Operationalize the EU General Data Protection Regulation with records of processing, DPIAs, data-subject request workflows, and 72-hour breach timers.
- [GLBA](https://episki.com/frameworks/glba): Meet the GLBA Safeguards Rule — qualified individual, risk assessment, encryption, MFA, and the FTC breach-notification requirement — managed and evidenced in…
- [HIPAA](https://episki.com/frameworks/hipaa): Map HIPAA safeguards, track PHI evidence, and manage BAAs in one secure workspace. Get audit-ready in 30 days with episki's free trial.
- [HITRUST CSF](https://episki.com/frameworks/hitrust): Run HITRUST e1, i1, or r2 assessments with the HITRUST CSF mapped to your existing controls and evidence. Cross-mapped to HIPAA, SOC 2, and ISO 27001.
- [ISO 22301](https://episki.com/frameworks/iso22301): Build a certifiable Business Continuity Management System (BCMS) per ISO 22301:2019 — business impact analysis, continuity plans, and exercises — in one worksp…
- [ISO 27001](https://episki.com/frameworks/iso27001): Build and certify your ISMS faster with episki. Annex A control mapping, SoA generation, and risk treatment plans in one workspace. Free 14-day trial.
- [ISO 27017](https://episki.com/frameworks/iso27017): Add the ISO/IEC 27017:2015 cloud security code of practice to your ISO 27001 ISMS — cloud-specific controls and provider/customer responsibilities in one works…
- [ISO 27018](https://episki.com/frameworks/iso27018): Protect PII in public clouds with the ISO/IEC 27018:2019 code of practice — added to your ISO 27001 ISMS and cross-mapped to GDPR and ISO 27701.
- [ISO 27701](https://episki.com/frameworks/iso27701): Stand up a certifiable Privacy Information Management System (PIMS) under ISO/IEC 27701:2025 — now a standalone standard. Mapped to GDPR, CCPA, and other priva…
- [ISO 42001](https://episki.com/frameworks/iso42001): Build a certifiable AI Management System (AIMS) per ISO/IEC 42001. Agent registry, AI risk treatments, and controls mapped to NIST AI RMF and the EU AI Act.
- [LGPD](https://episki.com/frameworks/lgpd): Comply with Brazil's LGPD — legal bases, data-subject rights, DPO, and ANPD breach notification — with controls and records of processing mapped to GDPR.
- [NIS2](https://episki.com/frameworks/nis2): Meet the EU NIS2 Directive (2022/2555) — risk-management measures, incident reporting timers, supply-chain security, and management accountability, mapped to I…
- [NIST 800-171](https://episki.com/frameworks/nist-800-171): Protect Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) as a DoD contractor with the 110 controls of NIST 800-171 — the foundation underneath CMMC Level 2.
- [NIST 800-53](https://episki.com/frameworks/nist-800-53): Manage federal control baselines (Low / Moderate / High) with mapped 800-53 control families, overlays, and tailoring records. Crosswalk to NIST CSF, FedRAMP,…
- [NIST AI RMF](https://episki.com/frameworks/nist-ai-rmf): Operationalize the NIST AI Risk Management Framework (AI RMF 1.0) — Govern, Map, Measure, Manage — with an AI/agent registry, risk treatments, and crosswalks t…
- [NIST CSF](https://episki.com/frameworks/nistcsf): Operationalize NIST CSF with live maturity scoring, risk registers, and executive dashboards. Benchmark and improve your cybersecurity posture with episki.
- [NY DFS Part 500](https://episki.com/frameworks/nydfs): Meet the New York DFS Cybersecurity Regulation (23 NYCRR Part 500) — CISO program, MFA, asset inventory, 72-hour reporting, and the annual certification — in o…
- [PCI DSS](https://episki.com/frameworks/pci): Automate PCI DSS evidence collection, manage QSA collaboration, and keep cardholder data controls current. Start your free 14-day trial with episki.
- [PIPEDA](https://episki.com/frameworks/pipeda): Comply with Canada's PIPEDA — the 10 fair information principles, consent, data-subject requests, and breach reporting to the Privacy Commissioner — in one wor…
- [POPIA](https://episki.com/frameworks/popia): Comply with South Africa's POPIA — the eight conditions for lawful processing, information officer duties, and Information Regulator breach reporting — in one…
- [SOC 1 Type I/II](https://episki.com/frameworks/soc1): Issue SOC 1 Type I and Type II reports for customers that rely on your service for their financial reporting. Cross-mapped to SOC 2 to reuse evidence.
- [SOC 2 Type I/II](https://episki.com/frameworks/soc2): Get SOC 2 Type I and Type II audit-ready faster with episki's automated controls, evidence tracking, and auditor collaboration. Start your free 14-day trial.
- [SOC 3](https://episki.com/frameworks/soc3): Produce a public, general-use SOC 3 report from the same Trust Services Criteria as your SOC 2 — a shareable trust artifact generated from live control evidenc…
- [SOX](https://episki.com/frameworks/sox): Manage IT general controls (ITGC) and key reports for Sarbanes-Oxley with structured testing cycles, segregation-of-duties tracking, and external-auditor porta…
- [StateRAMP](https://episki.com/frameworks/stateramp): Reach StateRAMP Authorized status for state and local government with NIST 800-53 baselines, continuous monitoring, and FedRAMP reciprocity — in one workspace.
- [TISAX](https://episki.com/frameworks/tisax): Prepare for a TISAX assessment based on the VDA ISA catalogue — information security, prototype protection, and data protection — with controls and evidence in…
- [Frameworks index](https://episki.com/frameworks): All supported frameworks at a glance.

## Industries

Compliance guidance tailored to specific sectors.

- [B2B SaaS and AI platforms](https://episki.com/industry/saas): Win enterprise deals with live proof of SOC 2, ISO 27001, and AI governance. Unify controls, evidence, and auditor portals with episki. Free 14-day trial.
- [e-commerce and retail](https://episki.com/industry/ecommerce): Protect payment data and customer trust with PCI DSS and SOC 2 compliance in one workspace. Automate evidence and pass audits faster. Try episki free.
- [education and edtech](https://episki.com/industry/education): Manage FERPA, student data privacy, and state compliance in one workspace. Automate evidence, track controls, and pass audits faster. Try episki free.
- [finance](https://episki.com/industry/finance): Manage PCI DSS, SOC 2, and regulatory diligence in one workspace. Built for fintech startups, credit unions, and community banks. Try episki free.
- [government and public sector](https://episki.com/industry/government): Meet FedRAMP, NIST 800-53, and CMMC requirements in one workspace. Automate evidence, track POA&Ms, and collaborate with assessors. Try episki free.
- [healthcare and healthtech](https://episki.com/industry/healthcare): HIPAA-ready GRC for healthtech teams. Map safeguards, track PHI evidence, and collaborate with auditors in one secure workspace. Start your free trial.
- [insurance and insurtech](https://episki.com/industry/insurance): Manage NAIC model laws, state regulatory exams, and data protection in one workspace. Automate evidence and stay exam-ready year-round. Try episki free.
- [legal and legal tech](https://episki.com/industry/legal): Protect client data and meet ABA ethics obligations with SOC 2 and ISO 27001 compliance in one workspace. Automate evidence collection. Try episki free.

## Comparisons

Head-to-head and three-way platform comparisons for evaluating GRC tools.

- [episki vs Drata](https://episki.com/compare/drata): Drata monitors controls and renders a clean dashboard. episki automates the program itself — agents draft policies, answer security questionnaires, manage vend…
- [episki vs Secureframe](https://episki.com/compare/secureframe): Secureframe pairs automated collection with a guided, full-service workflow. episki automates the program itself — agents draft policies, answer security quest…
- [episki vs Sprinto](https://episki.com/compare/sprinto): Sprinto gets small teams to their first SOC 2 with guided workflows. episki automates the program itself — agents draft policies, answer security questionnaire…
- [episki vs Vanta](https://episki.com/compare/vanta): Vanta automates evidence on a dashboard. episki automates the program — agents draft policies, answer security questionnaires, manage vendors, and keep your au…
- [Drata vs Secureframe](https://episki.com/compare/vs/drata-vs-secureframe): Compare Drata and Secureframe across pricing, onboarding, and compliance workflows. Two closely matched platforms with subtle but important differences for you…
- [Drata vs Sprinto](https://episki.com/compare/vs/drata-vs-sprinto): Compare Drata and Sprinto on pricing, global coverage, and ease of use. Two compliance automation tools built for different markets — find out which one fits y…
- [Sprinto vs Secureframe](https://episki.com/compare/vs/sprinto-vs-secureframe): Compare Sprinto and Secureframe on pricing, onboarding, and audit readiness. Two platforms popular with growing teams — see which one fits your stage, budget,…
- [Vanta vs Drata](https://episki.com/compare/vs/vanta-vs-drata): Compare Vanta and Drata across pricing, automation depth, integrations, and audit readiness. Both are leaders in compliance automation — learn which fits your…
- [Vanta vs Secureframe](https://episki.com/compare/vs/vanta-vs-secureframe): Compare Vanta and Secureframe on automation capabilities, pricing, and audit readiness. Both promise to simplify SOC 2 — here's how they actually differ, and w…
- [Vanta vs Sprinto](https://episki.com/compare/vs/vanta-vs-sprinto): Compare Vanta and Sprinto on pricing, framework support, and implementation speed. See how these two compliance platforms stack up for different team sizes and…
- [Compare index](https://episki.com/compare): All competitor comparisons.

## Guides & articles

Long-form articles on compliance practice, AI in GRC, framework readiness, and security craft.

- [PCI FAQ #1331: SAQ Eligibility Criteria Can No Longer Set Your ROC Scope](https://episki.com/blog/pci-faq-1331-saq-scope): The PCI Council updated FAQ #1331 in August 2026. You can no longer use SAQ eligibility criteria to determine which PCI DSS requirements apply in a Report on C…
- [AI Governance: The Compliance Layer Nobody Built Yet](https://episki.com/blog/thecompliancelayer): Companies are shipping AI faster than they can govern it. Here's what AI governance actually means in practice — and why it can't wait for regulation to force…
- [Securing the Pipeline: Why CI/CD Is the New Perimeter](https://episki.com/blog/pipeline): How modern engineering teams are moving security into the pipeline itself — automated checks, risk-based policies, and guardrails that don't slow teams down.
- [You're Not Ready for Risk Assessments](https://episki.com/blog/yourenotreadyforriskassessments): Most companies run a risk assessment as a checkbox exercise — and get a document nobody uses. Here's what actually needs to be in place first for it to mean an…
- [FedRAMP: What It Actually Takes](https://episki.com/blog/fedramp): FedRAMP authorization opens the door to federal contracts worth millions — but the path there is longer, costlier, and more demanding than most companies expec…
- [Hiring Good Security People: What Actually Matters](https://episki.com/blog/2025-06-05-hiring): Certifications and years of experience only tell part of the story. Here's what security leaders should really be looking for when building a team that perform…
- [When Is It Time for a GRC Tool?](https://episki.com/blog/2026-06-01-grc-tool): Spreadsheets can only take your compliance program so far. Here's how to know when manual processes are holding you back — and what to look for when you're rea…
- [GRC engineering: treating compliance as software](https://episki.com/blog/grc-engineering): The compliance team used to live in spreadsheets. GRC engineering treats programs like software — APIs, deterministic recipes, version-controlled policies, age…
- [Autonomous GRC and the new shape of the compliance program](https://episki.com/blog/autonomous-grc): Autonomous GRC isn't AI doing your job. It's a program structure where the platform operates the lifecycle and humans gate the decisions. Here's what that mean…
- [Dealing with Bad Auditors: How to Protect Your Program When the Process Breaks Down](https://episki.com/blog/dealing): Not every auditor adds value — some create friction, miss the point, or actively undermine your compliance program. Here's how security leaders can navigate di…
- [Agent-first GRC: what changes when AI runs the program](https://episki.com/blog/agent-first-grc): Most GRC tools added AI as a feature. Agent-first GRC treats agents as the operator — drafting policies, answering questionnaires, and running the program with…
- [Tips for Building a Strong Security Culture](https://episki.com/blog/tips): Security tools and policies only go so far. The organizations that are truly resilient are the ones where security is part of how everyone thinks — not just wh…
- [Replacing the FFIEC CAT: What Banks Are Choosing — and Why CSF Alone Isn't Enough](https://episki.com/blog/replacing-ffiec-cat): The FFIEC sunset its Cybersecurity Assessment Tool in August 2025. Most banks are moving to NIST CSF, but CSF on its own is too shallow to drive a real control…
- [GRC Resources: Why Governance, Risk & Compliance Is a Business Imperative](https://episki.com/blog/grc-resources): GRC isn't a checkbox exercise — it's the infrastructure that connects security decisions to business outcomes. Here's why security leaders are rethinking how t…
- [Defined Roles in PCI: The Compliance Mistakes That Fly Under the Radar](https://episki.com/blog/defined-roles-pci-compliance-mistakes): Unclear ownership is one of the most common — and costly — failures in PCI compliance. Here's what security leaders get wrong about defining roles, and how to…
- [SOC 2 for EdTech Companies (2026)](https://episki.com/blog/soc2-for-education): A practical SOC 2 guide for EdTech companies in 2026 — FERPA overlap, student data protection, K-12 vs higher ed vs enterprise buyers, and building a program t…
- [HIPAA Compliance for Law Firms Handling PHI (2026)](https://episki.com/blog/hipaa-for-legal): A practical HIPAA guide for law firms handling protected health information in 2026 — Business Associate status, BAAs with clients, litigation support, e-disco…
- [ISO 27001 Certification for Insurance Companies (2026)](https://episki.com/blog/iso27001-for-insurance): A practical ISO 27001 guide for insurance carriers, reinsurers, and insurtech in 2026 — global operations, ISMS scoping, regulatory overlap, and certification…
- [Effective Risk Assessments: Why They Matter More Than You Think](https://episki.com/blog/effective-risk-assessments): A risk assessment that can't drive a business decision isn't doing its job. Here's why effective risk assessments are a strategic asset — not just a compliance…
- [SOC 2 Compliance for Insurance & Insurtech (2026)](https://episki.com/blog/soc2-for-insurance): A practical SOC 2 guide for insurance carriers, MGAs, and insurtech companies in 2026 — insurance data sensitivity, regulatory expectations, and scoping decisi…
- [Best Sprinto Alternatives in 2026](https://episki.com/blog/sprinto-alternatives): The top Sprinto alternatives in 2026 compared on pricing, framework coverage, onboarding speed, and fit for startups and scale-ups.
- [HIPAA Compliance for Healthtech API Providers (2026)](https://episki.com/blog/hipaa-for-healthtech-apis): A practical HIPAA guide for API-first healthtech companies in 2026 — BAA chains, developer-facing compliance, audit logging at scale, and serving regulated cus…
- [The Agile Auditor: Rethinking Security's Most Misunderstood Role](https://episki.com/blog/the-agile-auditor): Compliance theater — the appearance of security without the substance. There's a better model. It starts with a mindset shift
- [Best Secureframe Alternatives in 2026](https://episki.com/blog/secureframe-alternatives): The top Secureframe alternatives in 2026 compared on pricing, onboarding, framework coverage, and fit for growing compliance teams.
- [Best Drata Alternatives in 2026](https://episki.com/blog/drata-alternatives): The top Drata alternatives in 2026 compared on pricing, frameworks, onboarding, and fit. A practical guide for teams considering a switch.
- [We Asked 50 Security Buyers ...](https://episki.com/blog/we-asked-50-security-buyers): We Asked 50 Security Buyers What Makes Them Reject a SOC 2 Report. Here's What They Said.
- [PCI DSS Compliance for E-commerce (2026)](https://episki.com/blog/pci-for-ecommerce): A practical PCI DSS guide for e-commerce merchants in 2026 — scope reduction, SAQ selection, script monitoring under v4.0.1, and building a compliance program…
- [Best Vanta Alternatives in 2026](https://episki.com/blog/vanta-alternatives): Comparing the top Vanta alternatives in 2026 — pricing, framework coverage, onboarding, and fit for startups, mid-market, and enterprise teams.
- [Fake Compliance as a Service: The Hidden Danger of Rubber-Stamp Audits](https://episki.com/blog/fake-compliance-as-a-service): How some compliance automation platforms cut corners with pre-generated audit reports, boilerplate controls, and questionable auditor independence — and what i…
- [CMMC Compliance for Government Contractors (2026)](https://episki.com/blog/cmmc-for-government): A practical CMMC 2.0 guide for defense industrial base contractors in 2026 — level selection, NIST 800-171 mapping, CUI handling, and preparing for C3PAO asses…
- [The Ultimate Compliance Certificate Guide: What You Actually Need in 2026](https://episki.com/blog/ultimate-compliance-certificate-guide): A practical guide for growing companies on how to approach cloud compliance with confidence, clarity, and the right tools.
- [Best ISO 27001 Software & Platforms (2026)](https://episki.com/blog/best-iso27001-software): The best ISO 27001 software and platforms in 2026 — compared on pricing, ISMS support, automation, auditor fit, and framework mapping.
- [ISO 27001 for SaaS Companies (2026)](https://episki.com/blog/iso27001-for-saas): A practical ISO 27001 guide for SaaS companies in 2026 — scoping, ISMS building, scaling with international customers, and running alongside SOC 2.
- [Best SOC 2 Compliance Tools & Software (2026)](https://episki.com/blog/best-soc2-compliance-tools): The best SOC 2 compliance tools and software in 2026 — compared on pricing, automation, auditor familiarity, and fit for startups through enterprise.
- [What Makes a CISO Metric Actually Useful?](https://episki.com/blog/what-makes-a-ciso-metric-actually-useful): Stop reporting numbers nobody acts on — here's what useful security metrics look like.
- [How NIST CSF Maps to SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, and PCI DSS](https://episki.com/blog/nist-csf-mapping-compliance): Practical strategies for mapping NIST CSF to SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, and PCI DSS — reduce duplicate work and build a unified compliance program.
- [SOC 2 Compliance for Financial Services (2026)](https://episki.com/blog/soc2-for-finance): How banks, fintechs, and financial services firms approach SOC 2 in 2026 — scoping, interaction with SOX and regulatory expectations, and running SOC 2 alongsi…
- [Best GRC Tools in 2026](https://episki.com/blog/best-grc-tools-2026): The best GRC tools in 2026 — 10 platforms compared on pricing, frameworks, automation, integrations, and fit for startups through enterprise.
- [What to Do If PCI Compliance Goes Off Track: A Practical PCI DSS Remediation Plan](https://episki.com/blog/pci-remediation-plan): Failed a PCI audit or missed a PCI DSS requirement? Learn how to build a structured remediation plan, use compensating controls, and recover from PCI non-compl…
- [PCI DSS Compliance for Financial Services (2026)](https://episki.com/blog/pci-for-finance): A practical PCI DSS guide for fintech, banks, and payment processors in 2026 — covering scope, v4.0.1 requirements, high-volume environments, and interaction w…
- [SOC 2 Compliance for Healthcare & Healthtech (2026)](https://episki.com/blog/soc2-for-healthcare): How healthcare and healthtech companies layer SOC 2 on top of HIPAA — Trust Services Criteria that matter, overlap, scoping, and making SOC 2 earn its keep in…
- [HIPAA Compliance for Healthcare Organizations in 2026](https://episki.com/blog/hipaa-for-healthcare): A practical HIPAA compliance guide for hospitals, health systems, and large healthcare providers — covering workforce, BAAs, systems integration, and enforceme…
- [HIPAA Breach Notification: What Happens When Things Go Wrong](https://episki.com/blog/hipaa-breach-prevention): What happens after a HIPAA breach — notification timelines, penalties, real scenarios, and how to prepare your incident response before it matters.
- [Strategies in a Shrinking Resource Economy: Building a Resilient Security Program](https://episki.com/blog/security-shrinking-resources): Practical strategies for security leaders to maintain impact and resilience even when budgets and resources are shrinking.
- [Compliance Cost Benchmark: What SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, PCI DSS, and CMMC Really Cost in 2026](https://episki.com/blog/compliance-cost-benchmark-2026): Transparent cost ranges for SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, PCI DSS, and CMMC in 2026 — audit fees, tooling, labor, hidden costs, and multi-framework savings.
- [ISO 27001 Certification in 2026: What's Actually Involved](https://episki.com/blog/iso27001-certification-guide): A practical walkthrough of ISO 27001 certification — from ISMS design through Stage 2 audit, including timelines, costs, and common pitfalls.
- [Compliance Framework Selector: Which Framework Should You Pursue First?](https://episki.com/blog/compliance-framework-selector-guide): A step-by-step decision guide to choosing your first compliance framework — decision matrix, scenario recommendations, and a cost-timeline quick reference.
- [State of GRC 2026: Benchmarks, Trends, and What's Actually Changing](https://episki.com/blog/state-of-grc-2026): An authoritative look at the state of GRC in 2026 — regulatory shifts, framework adoption, budget benchmarks, automation trends, and what's ahead for 2027.
- [AI Governance and Compliance: What Every SaaS Company Needs to Know](https://episki.com/blog/ai-governance-compliance): A practical guide to AI governance for SaaS companies – covering regulatory requirements, model documentation...
- [The Real Cost of SOC 2 in 2026: A Complete Breakdown](https://episki.com/blog/soc2-cost-breakdown): A transparent breakdown of SOC 2 costs in 2026 — auditor fees, tooling, internal time, and practical ways to reduce your total compliance spend.
- [Beyond Memorization: How episki Supports True Security Awareness Through Behavior Change](https://episki.com/blog/beyond-memorization): Why quizzes and policy read-throughs fall short, and how episki helps teams build real security instincts through contextual, scenario-driven awareness.
- [Compliance in the Cloud](https://episki.com/blog/compliance-in-the-cloud): A practical guide for growing companies on how to approach cloud compliance with confidence, clarity, and the right tools.
- [When PCI Compliance Goes Off Track: How to Respond and Recover with Confidence](https://episki.com/blog/when-compliance-goes-off-track): A practical guide for security and compliance teams on how to respond when PCI DSS compliance slips—covering common pitfalls, recovery strategies, and how to r…
- [Automating Evidence Collection Without Losing Control](https://episki.com/blog/automating-evidence-collection): How to automate compliance evidence collection while maintaining accuracy, audit trail integrity, and human oversight where it matters.
- [AI-Powered GRC: A Practical Guide to Automating Compliance Work](https://episki.com/blog/ai-powered-grc-guide): Where AI actually helps in GRC — from evidence collection and control testing to report drafting and risk scoring — and where human judgment still matters.
- [GRC Tool Buying Guide: What to Look for in 2026](https://episki.com/blog/grc-tool-buying-guide): How to evaluate GRC platforms in 2026 — covering must-have features, pricing models, build-vs-buy decisions, and a migration checklist.
- [How to Build a GRC Team: Roles, Skills, and Hiring Order](https://episki.com/blog/building-a-grc-team): When to make your first GRC hire, what skills to prioritize, how to scale from one person to a team, and when outsourcing makes more sense than hiring.
- [PCI DSS 4.0.1 Compliance for Fintech and Payments](https://episki.com/blog/pci-dss-fintech): A practical guide to PCI DSS 4.0.1 compliance for fintech companies — covering key changes, CDE scoping, API security, and processor management.
- [SOC 2 for SaaS Companies: From First Audit to Enterprise Sales](https://episki.com/blog/soc2-for-saas): How SaaS companies use SOC 2 to unlock enterprise deals — from scoping and engineering controls to using your report as a sales accelerator.
- [Risk Registers Demystified: Building One That Actually Gets Used](https://episki.com/blog/risk-register-guide): How to build a risk register that drives real decisions — covering risk identification, scoring, treatment plans, review cadence, and board reporting.
- [Vendor Risk Management: A Complete Guide for Lean Teams](https://episki.com/blog/vendor-risk-management): A practical guide to vendor risk management for lean security teams — covering inventory, risk tiering, assessments, contract clauses, and ongoing monitoring.
- [Control Mapping Across Multiple Frameworks: A Practical Guide to Reuse](https://episki.com/blog/control-mapping-frameworks): How to map controls across SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, and PCI DSS to reduce duplicate work and build a unified compliance program.
- [How to Prepare for a Compliance Audit: The 60-Day Countdown](https://episki.com/blog/compliance-audit-preparation): A week-by-week guide to preparing for a compliance audit — from scoping and evidence review through audit week and post-audit follow-up.
- [PCI DSS v4.0: What Changed and How to Prepare](https://episki.com/blog/pci-dss-v4-transition): A practical guide to PCI DSS v4.0 changes — new requirements, transition timelines, and what payment security teams need to prioritize now.
- [NIST CSF 2.0: Using the Framework to Measure and Improve Security Maturity](https://episki.com/blog/nist-csf-security-maturity): How to use NIST CSF 2.0 as a practical tool for measuring, communicating, and improving your organization's security maturity.
- [HIPAA Compliance for Healthtech Startups: A Technical Guide](https://episki.com/blog/hipaa-compliance-healthtech): A practical technical guide to HIPAA compliance for healthtech startups — covering safeguards, BAAs, PHI handling, breach notification, and framework overlap.
- [ISO 27001 Certification: A Step-by-Step Implementation Guide](https://episki.com/blog/iso27001-implementation-guide): A practical, step-by-step guide to ISO 27001 certification — from gap analysis and ISMS setup through Stage 1 and Stage 2 audits.
- [Compliance Playbook for Regulated Industries: Healthcare, Fintech, and SaaS](https://episki.com/blog/compliance-playbook-regulated-industries): Industry-specific compliance requirements, common pitfalls, and practical starting points for healthcare, fintech, and SaaS companies.
- [Choosing the Right Compliance Framework: SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, PCI DSS, and NIST CSF Compared](https://episki.com/blog/compliance-framework-comparison): A practical comparison of the five major compliance frameworks to help you decide which to pursue first and how to manage multiple frameworks efficiently.
- [The Complete Guide to GRC for Growing Companies](https://episki.com/blog/grc-guide-growing-companies): Everything growing companies need to know about governance, risk, and compliance — from building your first program to scaling across multiple frameworks.
- [GRC Metrics Executives Actually Care About](https://episki.com/blog/grc-metrics-execs-care-about): Skip vanity dashboards and focus on the few signals that show risk exposure, audit readiness, and operational velocity.
- [Build an Evidence Library That Scales With Your Company](https://episki.com/blog/evidence-library-that-scales): A repeatable system for naming, ownership, and retention that turns evidence collection into a steady workflow instead of a scramble.
- [SOC 2 Readiness in 30 Days: A Practical Roadmap](https://episki.com/blog/soc2-readiness-roadmap): A focused four-week plan to scope your SOC 2 effort, assign control ownership, collect evidence, and run a clean pre-audit check.
- [5 Common Mistakes in GRC and How to Avoid Them](https://episki.com/blog/grc-common-mistakes): Five common GRC pitfalls that even experienced professionals make, with practical advice on how to avoid them and keep your compliance program on track.

## Glossary

Question-form definitions for GRC and compliance terms. Each entry includes framework cross-references and a TL;DR.

- [What are Control Objectives?](https://episki.com/glossary/control-objectives)
- [What are User Entity Controls?](https://episki.com/glossary/user-entity-controls)
- [What is Access Control?](https://episki.com/glossary/access-control)
- [What is Breach Notification?](https://episki.com/glossary/breach-notification)
- [What is Business Continuity?](https://episki.com/glossary/business-continuity)
- [What is Change Management?](https://episki.com/glossary/change-management)
- [What is Continuous Monitoring?](https://episki.com/glossary/continuous-monitoring)
- [What is Data Classification?](https://episki.com/glossary/data-classification)
- [What is Disaster Recovery?](https://episki.com/glossary/disaster-recovery)
- [What is Encryption?](https://episki.com/glossary/encryption)
- [What is Evidence Collection?](https://episki.com/glossary/evidence-collection)
- [What is GRC?](https://episki.com/glossary/grc)
- [What is HIPAA?](https://episki.com/glossary/hipaa)
- [What is ISO 27001 Annex A?](https://episki.com/glossary/annex-a)
- [What is ISO 27001?](https://episki.com/glossary/iso27001)
- [What is ISO 27002?](https://episki.com/glossary/iso-27002)
- [What is Incident Response?](https://episki.com/glossary/incident-response)
- [What is Job Separation?](https://episki.com/glossary/job-separation)
- [What is Key Management?](https://episki.com/glossary/key-management)
- [What is Least Privilege?](https://episki.com/glossary/least-privilege)
- [What is Log Management?](https://episki.com/glossary/log-management)
- [What is Malware?](https://episki.com/glossary/malware)
- [What is Monitoring?](https://episki.com/glossary/monitoring)
- [What is Multi-Factor Authentication?](https://episki.com/glossary/multi-factor-authentication)
- [What is NIST?](https://episki.com/glossary/nist)
- [What is Network Security?](https://episki.com/glossary/network-security)
- [What is Offboarding?](https://episki.com/glossary/offboarding)
- [What is Operational Risk?](https://episki.com/glossary/operational-risk)
- [What is PCI DSS?](https://episki.com/glossary/pci-dss)
- [What is PCI Scope?](https://episki.com/glossary/pci-scope)
- [What is Penetration Testing?](https://episki.com/glossary/penetration-testing)
- [What is Protected Health Information (PHI)?](https://episki.com/glossary/phi)
- [What is Remediation?](https://episki.com/glossary/remediation)
- [What is SOC 2 Type I?](https://episki.com/glossary/soc2-type-1)
- [What is SOC 2 Type II?](https://episki.com/glossary/soc2-type-2)
- [What is SOC 2?](https://episki.com/glossary/soc2)
- [What is SSAE 18?](https://episki.com/glossary/ssae-18)
- [What is Security Awareness Training?](https://episki.com/glossary/security-awareness-training)
- [What is Third-Party Risk?](https://episki.com/glossary/third-party-risk)
- [What is Tokenization?](https://episki.com/glossary/tokenization)
- [What is Trust Services Criteria?](https://episki.com/glossary/trust-services-criteria)
- [What is Vendor Risk Management?](https://episki.com/glossary/vendor-risk-management)
- [What is Vulnerability Management?](https://episki.com/glossary/vulnerability-management)
- [What is Web Application Security?](https://episki.com/glossary/web-application-security)
- [What is Workforce Security?](https://episki.com/glossary/workforce-security)
- [What is a Business Associate Agreement (BAA)?](https://episki.com/glossary/baa)
- [What is a Business Associate?](https://episki.com/glossary/business-associate)
- [What is a Cardholder Data Environment?](https://episki.com/glossary/cardholder-data-environment)
- [What is a Certification Body?](https://episki.com/glossary/certification-body)
- [What is a Control Framework?](https://episki.com/glossary/control-framework)
- [What is a Covered Entity?](https://episki.com/glossary/covered-entity)
- [What is a Firewall?](https://episki.com/glossary/firewall)
- [What is a Framework?](https://episki.com/glossary/framework)
- [What is a Primary Account Number (PAN)?](https://episki.com/glossary/pan)
- [What is a Qualified Security Assessor (QSA)?](https://episki.com/glossary/qsa)
- [What is a Risk Register?](https://episki.com/glossary/risk-register)
- [What is a Risk Treatment Plan?](https://episki.com/glossary/risk-treatment-plan)
- [What is a Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ)?](https://episki.com/glossary/saq)
- [What is a Service Auditor?](https://episki.com/glossary/service-auditor)
- [What is a Statement of Applicability?](https://episki.com/glossary/statement-of-applicability)
- [What is a Surveillance Audit?](https://episki.com/glossary/surveillance-audit)
- [What is an Approved Scanning Vendor (ASV)?](https://episki.com/glossary/asv)
- [What is an Audit Trail?](https://episki.com/glossary/audit-trail)
- [What is an ISMS?](https://episki.com/glossary/isms)
- [What is the HITECH Act?](https://episki.com/glossary/hitech)
- [What is the Minimum Necessary Rule?](https://episki.com/glossary/minimum-necessary-rule)
- [Glossary index](https://episki.com/glossary): Browse all GRC terms.

## Updates

- [Blog](https://episki.com/blog): Latest articles and product thinking.
- [Changelog](https://episki.com/changelog): Product release notes.
- [RSS feed](https://episki.com/rss.xml)
- [Sitemap](https://episki.com/sitemap.xml)

## About

- Company: episki
- Founder: Justin Leapline
- Contact: hello@episki.com
- Application: https://app.episki.com