If you are currently in the market for ISO 27001 or SOC 2 certification, you have likely come across Vanta. They are a significant player in the automated compliance space, and their marketing is everywhere. However, before you sign a contract involving tens of thousands of dollars, it is vital to take a step back and understand exactly what you are paying for.
At their core, all compliance platforms operate on a simple premise: they provide a list of compliance items that require evidence and policies. Historically, this management process was handled effectively in a spreadsheet. Therefore, the most logical first step in your evaluation should be to compare the platform against a standard spreadsheet.
The Automation Myth
The primary selling point of platforms like Vanta is “automation.” They tout API integrations that connect to your cloud services and HR systems to automatically gather evidence.
While this sounds impressive, the reality is often less revolutionary. These integrations essentially help fill in the details for a few fields in the “spreadsheet.” They might check if multi-factor authentication is enabled or if a background check is logged, but they cannot automate the complex, human-centric aspects of information security.
Crucially, Vanta and similar platforms still rely on third parties to implement the actual Cyber Security measures, such as penetration testing or specialised consulting. The platform itself acts primarily as a tracking tool—a very expensive dashboard for monitoring a list of tasks that could be tracked elsewhere for free.
Beware of Aggressive Sales Tactics
We have heard from numerous businesses about the sales techniques employed by high-growth compliance vendors. It is important to be aware of these strategies so you can make an informed decision:
- The “First Year” Trap: A common tactic is offering a massive discount (e.g., 50% off) for the first year. This is designed to get you accustomed to their specific workflow. If you only know how to do ISO 27001 through their proprietary interface, you are far less likely to leave when the price doubles in year two, simply because you fear the migration process.
- Artificial Urgency: You may face pressure to “sign up now” to secure a discount or meet an arbitrary deadline. Genuine security decisions should never be rushed by a salesperson’s quota.
- The Trust Centre Fallacy: You might be told that having their branded “Trust Centre” is essential for building trust with other companies. In reality, your clients and partners care about the valid ISO 27001 certification itself, not the software platform you used to achieve it.
The Real Cost of “Cyber Lipstick”
Spending tens of thousands of dollars annually on a platform that essentially functions as a spreadsheet with some API integrations is a significant investment. For many organisations, that budget would be far better spent on actual security improvements, such as higher-quality penetration testing, staff training, or expert advisory services.
It is easy to fall for the dashboard that turns green, but if the underlying security practices are not robust, you are paying for “cyber lipstick”—it looks good, but it doesn’t protect you.
Compare Before You Commit
We believe in transparency and practical security. Before you commit to a long-term contract, we encourage you to see what is possible without the hefty price tag.
If you want to understand the requirements of ISO 27001 without the sales pitch, you can download our comprehensive tracking tool for free: Get your free ISO 27001 spreadsheet here
Alternatively, if you are looking for a compliance platform that balances efficiency with genuine security expertise, take a look at the Vertex Compliance platform (ALKE). Explore the Vertex Compliance Platform (ALKE)