What to Ask Before You Invest in a GRC Platform

When shopping for a Governance, Risk, Compliance (GRC) solution, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all the choices and features. While there are a lot of different options, it is important to know that beneath the surface, not all GRC solutions are created equal. Choosing the wrong GRC platform can lead to frustration, inefficiencies, and unnecessary costs as your business grows. How can you avoid these pitfalls? By asking the right questions from the start.  

Five Questions to Ask When Looking for the Right GRC Platform

The following ideas are from the SAI360 and GRC 20/20 report, Delivering Integrated GRC Across Risk Domains. Learn more here.

Does the platform have an open API?

Integration is key to making your GRC system work seamlessly with other tools. An open API allows your GRC platform to connect easily with other tools you already use, such as PowerBI or Tableau for reporting, or even your CRM system. Without this feature, you’ll face limitations in data sharing and workflow automation, creating silos that slow your operations. 

Is the platform SaaS-based, and what are the alternatives?

Older, non-SaaS-based platforms can be a headache. They’re often difficult to access remotely, slow to update, and expensive to maintain. SaaS-based solutions offer agility and ease, with automatic updates, scalability, and accessibility from anywhere. Make sure your platform supports your team’s need for flexibility and growth. 

Can the platform scale with your business as it grows?

A scalable platform should expand alongside your company, adding users, features, and integrations without costly upgrades or slowdowns. Ask vendors how the system handles increased complexity, such as new regulations or business acquisitions, and whether the platform can adapt to future changes. 

What is the level of support and service offered?

Even the most robust GRC tools will fall short without good support. Investigate how quickly the vendor responds to issues, whether they offer 24/7 support, and if they provide a dedicated representative for your business. Poor service can leave your team stranded when they need help most, slowing down critical compliance processes. 

What are the common pain points that push organizations to switch GRC platforms?

It’s crucial to understand why companies leave their current GRC vendors. Common reasons include outdated interfaces, lack of innovation, and poor support. Reporting challenges, expensive upgrades, and complexity also drive companies to seek modern GRC platforms. By knowing these pain points, you can press vendors on how they’re solving them—and avoid falling into the same traps. 

Final Thoughts 

Choosing the right GRC platform starts with asking the right questions. By focusing on these key areas—API integration, SaaS capabilities, scalability, support, and pain points—you’ll be better prepared to find a solution that supports your business’s growth and evolving needs. A GRC system that scales easily, integrates seamlessly, and offers dependable support will ensure your GRC strategy stays on track. 

What Does SAI360 Do to Help Companies Address Their GRC Needs?

SAI360 provides a comprehensive GRC platform that grows with organizations. It offers agility to adapt to changing environments. Its broad suite of solutions addresses enterprise risk management, compliance, ethics, and sustainability, empowering organizations to proactively enhance compliance efficiency and manage risks.

The platform includes features like real-time dashboards, automated workflows, risk and control assessments, and continuous monitoring of key risk and performance indicators. Our digital risk and resilience solutions cover areas like third-party risk management and cybersecurity. We also work to help organizations ensure both regulatory compliance and business continuity. By integrating these capabilities, SAI360 enables organizations to confidently manage complex and interconnected challenges. It’s truly a win-win.

Why Try SAI360’s GRC Solution?

In an era of heightened regulatory requirements and operational risks, siloed approaches to GRC are no longer effective. SAI360 addresses this by providing a comprehensive, real-time view of enterprise risks, streamlining compliance processes, and embedding ethical standards through engaging training. With solutions like operational risk management, digital risk resilience, and audit management, SAI360 empowers businesses to proactively manage risks and foster a culture of compliance, improving efficiency, visibility, and decision-making agility. By consolidating GRC needs into a single adaptable platform, SAI360 reduces inefficiencies and operational vulnerabilities, positioning organizations for growth and long-term success.

Let’s Start a Conversation 

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