GRC Tools Explained: What They Do, How They Work and How to Choose

Summary

GRC tools have become a core capability for organisations operating in regulated, security‑conscious environments. As compliance frameworks expand and auditors increasingly expect continuous assurance, spreadsheets and static documents no longer scale. Instead, organisations are turning to GRC tools to centralise governance, automate compliance, and manage cyber risk in a consistent, auditable way.

This page explains what these tools actually do, how modern platforms differ, and how to choose the right solution. It also compares leading tools such as Drata, Vanta, and Avertro, while clearly outlining where technology ends and advisory expertise becomes essential.

What are GRC tools?

GRC tools, also known as governance, risk and compliance tools or GRC software, are platforms designed to help organisations manage risk, controls, and regulatory obligations in a structured and repeatable way. Rather than relying on disconnected policies, spreadsheets, and email trails, GRC tools provide a single system of record for how governance and compliance are defined, implemented, and monitored.

In cybersecurity contexts, GRC tools sit alongside security operations. They do not prevent attacks directly. Instead, they ensure that security controls are designed correctly, mapped to relevant frameworks, monitored over time, and supported by evidence that stands up to audit and regulatory scrutiny.

What do GRC tools actually do in practice?

Although vendor marketing often focuses on automation, the day‑to‑day value of GRC tools is operational clarity. In practice, most organisations use GRC tools to:

• Define and map controls across multiple frameworks such as ISO 27001, SOC 2, Essential Eight, PCI DSS, and IRAP
• Maintain a live inventory of policies, procedures, and control owners
• Automate evidence collection from cloud services, identity platforms, ticketing systems, and security tools
• Track risks, issues, and remediation actions in a structured risk register
• Support audits through workflows, access controls, and real‑time reporting

As a result, teams spend less time chasing evidence and more time improving security outcomes.

Key capabilities to expect from modern GRC tools

While capabilities vary between platforms, most modern GRC tools share a common feature set.

Centralised control management

Controls are defined once and reused across frameworks. This reduces duplication and supports organisations pursuing multiple certifications at the same time.

Continuous compliance monitoring

Leading GRC tools move away from point‑in‑time audits. Instead, they monitor control effectiveness continuously, flagging gaps before they become audit findings.

Risk management workflows

Risk identification, scoring, treatment, and acceptance are embedded into the platform. This allows security and risk teams to prioritise based on business impact rather than compliance checklists alone.

Audit readiness and reporting

Auditors can be granted controlled access to evidence and reports. This significantly reduces disruption during audits and improves confidence in audit outcomes.

Integrations and automation

Native integrations with cloud providers, identity systems, endpoint tools, and service management platforms enable automated evidence collection and workflow orchestration.

Types of GRC tools on the market

Not all GRC tools serve the same purpose. Broadly, platforms fall into three categories.

Compliance automation tools

These tools focus on fast, automated compliance for frameworks such as SOC 2 and ISO 27001. They are commonly used by SaaS companies and growing organisations that need to demonstrate compliance quickly and maintain it continuously.

Integrated GRC platforms

Integrated platforms support broader governance and enterprise risk management, often extending beyond cybersecurity into operational, financial, and regulatory risk. These tools are typically used by larger or more complex organisations.

Cyber risk and resilience platforms

Some tools emphasise cyber risk quantification, resilience, and executive‑level decision‑making. Rather than focusing solely on audits, they aim to align security investment with business impact.

Leading GRC tools compared

Drata

Drata is a compliance‑first GRC tool built around continuous monitoring. It automates control testing and evidence collection, making it well suited to organisations that must maintain certifications year‑round.

Drata’s strengths include strong automation, broad integrations, and support for multiple compliance frameworks. Consequently, it is often selected by security‑mature organisations with ongoing audit obligations and limited tolerance for manual compliance work.

Vanta

Vanta focuses on simplicity and speed to compliance. Through guided workflows and real‑time monitoring, it helps organisations achieve initial certifications quickly. Vanta is particularly popular with startups and mid‑market organisations preparing for their first SOC 2 or ISO 27001 audit.

While Vanta is easy to deploy, it is generally best suited to organisations with relatively straightforward risk environments and fewer custom control requirements.

Avertro

Avertro positions itself as a cyber risk and resilience platform rather than a pure compliance automation tool. Its emphasis is on risk visibility, prioritisation, and executive reporting, helping organisations understand how cyber risk translates into business impact.

This approach makes Avertro attractive to organisations that want governance and decision‑making maturity alongside compliance.

GRC rools versus GRC advisory services

Although GRC tools are powerful, they are not a substitute for expertise. Tools can automate evidence collection and track controls, but they cannot interpret regulatory nuance, design fit‑for‑purpose control environments, or make risk‑based decisions.

Experienced GRC advisory support fills this gap by:

• Interpreting frameworks and regulatory expectations
• Designing controls that are effective, scalable, and auditable
• Validating that automated evidence actually demonstrates compliance
• Supporting audits, remediation, and continuous improvement

In practice, organisations achieve the strongest outcomes when GRC tools are paired with advisory support that aligns technology with business and regulatory reality.

How to choose the right GRC tool

When evaluating GRC tools, organisations should consider several factors.

First, identify which frameworks apply today and which are likely in the future. Tools that support only a narrow set of standards may limit growth.

Second, assess the complexity of your risk environment. Highly automated tools work best when controls are well defined and relatively standardised.

Third, evaluate integration depth. The value of tools increases significantly when evidence collection is automated rather than manual.

Finally, consider internal capability. Without clear ownership and governance, even the best GRC tools fail to deliver value.

Common mistakes organisations make with GRC tools

Despite good intentions, many organisations struggle to realise the full value of GRC tools. Common issues include:

• Treating tools as a one‑off compliance exercise
• Automating poorly designed or ineffective controls
• Selecting tools based on speed to certification alone
• Underestimating the need for ongoing governance and advisory support

Avoiding these pitfalls requires both the right technology and the right operating model.

Frequently asked questions about GRC tools

What is the best GRC tool?

There is no single best GRC tool. The right choice depends on organisational size, regulatory requirements, risk maturity, and internal capability.

Are GRC tools mandatory?

Tools are not mandatory. However, they significantly reduce effort, cost, and risk for organisations operating in regulated environments.

Do GRC tools replace auditors or consultants?

No. GRC tools support compliance and risk management, but they do not replace professional judgement, audit independence, or regulatory interpretation.

About CyberPulse

CyberPulse is a security-first compliance partner helping organisations reduce cyber risk, build resilience and achieve certification with confidence. Founded by former CISOs and security leaders, we align technical depth with real-world context to deliver measurable outcomes across advisory, managed services, compliance and threat defence.

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Useful Links

• Drata vs Vanta: Which GRC Tool Is Right for Your Organisation?
• GRC Tools for ISO 27001 and SOC 2 Compliance
• Vendor Risk Management Platforms Explained
• Best Cybersecurity Audit Services in Australia (2026)

Related Services

• GRC & Advisory
• Managed Compliance

External Resources

• Gartner Best GRC Tools