How to use ISMS Copilot with Vanta

Overview

Vanta is a powerful GRC automation platform that handles the heavy lifting of compliance—automated control monitoring, evidence collection, continuous compliance tracking, and audit management across frameworks like SOC 2, ISO 27001, and HIPAA. ISMS Copilot complements Vanta by providing specialized AI guidance for the critical "last mile" activities that automation platforms can't fully address: reviewing policy quality, understanding how to implement specific controls in your unique environment, checking evidence adequacy, and getting expert answers to complex compliance questions.

Who This Is For

This guide is for:

• Compliance teams using Vanta who need expert guidance on control implementation

• Security professionals managing Vanta deployments who want AI assistance for documentation review

• Organizations using Vanta for automation but lacking in-house compliance expertise

• Consultants supporting clients who use Vanta and need AI tools for quality assurance

How Vanta and ISMS Copilot Work Together

What Vanta Does Best

Vanta excels at automating the operational compliance workload:

• Automated monitoring: Continuously monitors your infrastructure through 1,200+ automated tests across cloud providers, SaaS tools, and systems

• Evidence collection: Automatically collects and organizes compliance evidence from integrated systems, reducing manual evidence gathering by 70-80%

• Control testing: Tests compliance controls automatically and provides AI-generated remediation suggestions when gaps are detected

• Multi-framework support: Maps controls across SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, PCI DSS and other frameworks to minimize redundant work

• Audit management: Centralizes auditor communication, documentation requests, and evidence submission through Audit Hub

• Trust Center: Publishes compliance status and certifications to accelerate customer security reviews

• Policy templates: Provides auditor-approved policy templates for rapid deployment

• Vendor risk management: Automates vendor discovery and risk assessment workflows

Where ISMS Copilot Adds Value

ISMS Copilot complements Vanta's automation with specialized expertise for judgment-based compliance tasks:

1. Policy and Procedure Quality Review

Vanta provides policy templates, but every organization needs customization:

• Template customization guidance: "I'm using Vanta's Access Control Policy template for a healthcare SaaS company with 80 employees. What healthcare-specific requirements should I add beyond the template?"

• Policy completeness checking: Upload Vanta-generated policy and ask "Review this Information Security Policy for ISO 27001:2022 compliance gaps specific to financial services regulations"

• Industry-specific additions: "What HIPAA-specific controls should I add to Vanta's standard security policies for a health tech startup?"

• Procedure depth review: "This incident response procedure from Vanta covers the basics. What additional detail should I add for SOC 2 Type II audit requirements?"

2. Control Implementation Guidance

Vanta monitors controls but doesn't tell you how to implement them in your specific environment:

• Implementation planning: "Vanta flagged that we need to implement ISO 27001 control A.8.1 (asset management). We use AWS, Google Workspace, and Notion. How should we implement asset inventory tracking?"

• Tool-specific guidance: "We're implementing access reviews for SOC 2. Vanta integrates with Okta for monitoring, but what's the actual process we should follow quarterly?"

• Gap remediation: "Vanta identified a gap in our backup testing control. What evidence do auditors expect to see, and how should we document our testing process?"

• Control mapping: "We're adding ISO 27001 to our existing SOC 2 program in Vanta. Which ISO 27001 Annex A controls require additional implementation beyond our current SOC 2 controls?"

3. Evidence Quality and Completeness

Vanta collects evidence automatically, but auditors still evaluate evidence quality:

• Evidence adequacy review: "I have this access review spreadsheet that Vanta collected. Is this sufficient evidence for SOC 2 CC6.1, or do auditors expect additional documentation?"

• Evidence gap identification: "Vanta shows we're 95% compliant with ISO 27001 controls, but what manual evidence might be missing that automation can't collect?"

• Documentation completeness: "Our penetration test report is in Vanta's evidence repository. What else should this report include to satisfy ISO 27001 A.12.6.1 requirements?"

• Narrative evidence crafting: "Vanta collected our logs, but I need to write a narrative describing our monitoring process for the SOC 2 report. What should this narrative cover?"

4. Audit Preparation and Response

Vanta organizes audit logistics, but audit success requires understanding auditor expectations:

• Mock audit questions: "Generate 20 likely auditor questions for our ISO 27001 Stage 2 audit focused on cloud infrastructure controls, based on what Vanta is monitoring"

• Auditor question interpretation: "The auditor asked 'How do you ensure segregation of duties in your deployment process?' What are they actually looking for, and what evidence from Vanta should I reference?"

• Exception explanation: "Vanta flagged a control exception for 2FA on one legacy application. How should I document this exception and compensating controls for the audit?"

• SOA justification: "I need to justify why we excluded ISO 27001 control A.11.2.9 (clear desk policy) in our Statement of Applicability. What's a defensible rationale for a fully remote company?"

5. Framework-Specific Expertise

Vanta supports multiple frameworks, but each has unique requirements and interpretation nuances:

• Framework interpretation: "Vanta maps SOC 2 CC7.2 to ISO 27001 A.12.6.1, but what are the subtle differences in auditor expectations between these two controls?"

• Regulatory guidance: "We're using Vanta for HIPAA compliance. What are the Security Rule requirements that go beyond Vanta's automated controls?"

• Emerging frameworks: "We need to prepare for NIS2 compliance. Can Vanta's existing SOC 2 and ISO 27001 programs be adapted, or do we need additional controls?"

• Industry variations: "Vanta shows us compliant with PCI DSS controls, but we're in healthcare—are there additional considerations for payment processing in HIPAA environments?"

6. Strategic Compliance Planning

Vanta provides roadmaps, but strategic decisions require compliance expertise:

• Framework selection: "We currently have SOC 2 Type II through Vanta. Should we add ISO 27001 or pursue SOC 2 + HITRUST for healthcare customers?"

• Scope determination: "How should we define our ISO 27001 scope in Vanta for a multi-product SaaS company? Should each product be a separate certification?"

• Timeline planning: "Vanta estimates 6 months to ISO 27001 certification. What are realistic milestones, and where do organizations typically encounter delays?"

• Resource planning: "We're using Vanta for automation, but what compliance activities still require dedicated staff time vs. what Vanta handles automatically?"

Common Workflows Combining Both Tools

Workflow 1: New Framework Implementation

Scenario: You're adding ISO 27001 to your existing SOC 2 program in Vanta.

1. In Vanta: Add ISO 27001 framework, review cross-mapped controls, and identify net-new ISO 27001 requirements

2. In ISMS Copilot: Ask "I have SOC 2 Type II and I'm adding ISO 27001. What are the ISO 27001 Annex A controls that have no SOC 2 equivalent, and how should I implement them?"

3. In Vanta: Configure monitoring and evidence collection for new controls identified

4. In ISMS Copilot: Generate control implementation procedures: "Create an implementation procedure for ISO 27001 A.5.23 (information security for cloud services) for AWS-based infrastructure"

5. In Vanta: Deploy policies, assign tasks to team, and monitor compliance status

6. In ISMS Copilot: Review Vanta-generated policies: Upload ISO 27001 policies from Vanta and ask for industry-specific enhancement recommendations

Workflow 2: Audit Preparation

Scenario: You're 30 days from your ISO 27001 Stage 2 certification audit.

1. In Vanta: Review compliance dashboard, address any flagged control gaps, and ensure all evidence is collected

2. In ISMS Copilot: Prepare for auditor questions: "Generate 30 likely ISO 27001 Stage 2 audit questions for a SaaS company using AWS infrastructure, focusing on areas auditors typically probe"

3. In Vanta: Organize evidence in Audit Hub, invite auditor, and provide access to automated evidence

4. In ISMS Copilot: Review evidence adequacy: "I have these 5 pieces of evidence for ISO 27001 A.12.6.1 (vulnerability management). Is this sufficient, or what additional evidence might auditors request?"

5. During audit: When auditor asks complex questions, consult ISMS Copilot for interpretation and guidance on crafting responses

6. In Vanta: Submit evidence and track audit progress through completion

Workflow 3: Control Gap Remediation

Scenario: Vanta flagged that you're non-compliant with a specific control.

1. In Vanta: Review the control failure alert and AI-generated remediation suggestion

2. In ISMS Copilot: Get implementation guidance: "Vanta flagged that we don't have adequate password complexity requirements. We use Okta and Google Workspace. What password policies should we configure to meet SOC 2 and ISO 27001 requirements?"

3. Implementation: Configure systems based on ISMS Copilot guidance

4. In ISMS Copilot: Document the control: "Create a password policy procedure document that explains our Okta and Google Workspace password requirements for audit evidence"

5. In Vanta: Upload procedure document, mark control as remediated, and verify automated monitoring shows compliance

6. In Vanta: Continuous monitoring confirms ongoing compliance

Workflow 4: Policy Customization

Scenario: You're deploying Vanta's policy templates but need industry-specific customization.

1. In Vanta: Generate policy set from templates for your selected frameworks

2. In ISMS Copilot: Review and customize: Upload each policy and ask "Review this Incident Response Policy for a healthcare SaaS company with 60 employees. What HIPAA-specific requirements and healthcare industry best practices should be added?"

3. Customization: Edit policies based on ISMS Copilot recommendations

4. In ISMS Copilot: Validate completeness: "Does this revised Incident Response Policy meet both HIPAA Security Rule and ISO 27001:2022 requirements for healthcare organizations?"

5. In Vanta: Upload finalized policies, assign employee acknowledgments, and track completion

6. In Vanta: Monitor policy review cycles and maintain version control

Practical Examples

Example 1: Understanding Vanta's Control Recommendations

Situation: Vanta recommends implementing MFA across all applications, but you have one legacy application that doesn't support MFA.

Ask ISMS Copilot: "Vanta requires MFA for SOC 2 CC6.1, but we have a legacy vendor application that doesn't support MFA. What compensating controls are acceptable to auditors, and how should we document this exception in Vanta?"

ISMS Copilot guidance: Explains acceptable compensating controls (IP restrictions, additional logging, limited access, risk acceptance documentation), how to document the exception for auditors, and what evidence to maintain in Vanta's exception log.

Example 2: Enhancing Vanta's Policy Templates

Situation: You deployed Vanta's Data Classification Policy template but your auditor feedback suggests it needs more detail.

Ask ISMS Copilot: "Upload Vanta's Data Classification Policy template and ask: This policy covers basic classification levels, but our ISO 27001 auditor wants more specificity on handling requirements for each level. What should we add?"

ISMS Copilot guidance: Provides detailed handling requirements for each classification level (storage requirements, encryption standards, access controls, retention periods, disposal methods), formatted to integrate into your existing Vanta policy.

Example 3: Preparing for Auditor Questions

Situation: Your first SOC 2 Type II audit is in 2 weeks. Vanta shows 100% compliance, but you're nervous about auditor questions.

Ask ISMS Copilot: "Generate 25 auditor questions I should prepare for in a SOC 2 Type II audit for a B2B SaaS company using Vanta for compliance automation. Focus on questions about our change management, access controls, and vendor management."

ISMS Copilot guidance: Provides realistic auditor questions with guidance on what they're actually evaluating and how to reference Vanta's evidence collection in your responses.

Example 4: Multi-Framework Strategy

Situation: You have SOC 2 in Vanta. European customers are requesting ISO 27001, but you're unsure if it's worth the additional effort.

Ask ISMS Copilot: "We currently maintain SOC 2 Type II using Vanta. What percentage of ISO 27001 requirements overlap with SOC 2, what additional work is required, and how long should ISO 27001 certification take if we already have SOC 2?"

ISMS Copilot guidance: Explains the 60-70% control overlap, identifies ISO 27001-specific requirements (risk assessment methodology, Statement of Applicability, certain Annex A controls), and provides realistic timeline based on existing SOC 2 maturity.

When to Use Each Tool

Task

Use Vanta

Use ISMS Copilot

Monitor infrastructure compliance

✓

Collect evidence automatically

✓

Understand how to implement a control

✓

Track audit progress and communicate with auditors

✓

Review policy quality and completeness

✓

Manage user access reviews

✓

Get framework-specific implementation guidance

✓

Deploy policy templates

✓

Customize policies for your industry

✓

Automate control testing

✓

Evaluate evidence adequacy

✓

Generate compliance reports

✓

Prepare for auditor questions

✓

Manage vendor risk assessments

✓

Interpret complex framework requirements

✓

Integration Best Practices

1. Establish Your Workflow

• Use Vanta as your system of record: All evidence, policies, and audit documentation lives in Vanta

• Use ISMS Copilot as your expert advisor: When you need guidance on implementation, quality review, or framework interpretation

• Create feedback loops: When ISMS Copilot suggests improvements, implement them in Vanta and track ongoing compliance there

2. Maximize Vanta's Automation

• Connect all integrations: More integrations = more automated evidence collection = less manual work

• Configure automated testing: Let Vanta continuously test controls rather than manual periodic reviews

• Use Vanta's AI suggestions: Vanta provides AI-generated remediation guidance—start there, then consult ISMS Copilot for implementation details

3. Leverage ISMS Copilot for Quality

• Review before deployment: Before deploying Vanta policies to employees, upload to ISMS Copilot for customization recommendations

• Pre-audit preparation: Use ISMS Copilot to prepare for auditor questions 2-4 weeks before audits

• Evidence validation: When Vanta collects evidence, periodically validate adequacy with ISMS Copilot to avoid audit surprises

4. Organize Work by Framework

If using both tools across multiple frameworks:

• In Vanta: Track all compliance activities, evidence, and monitoring for all frameworks

• In ISMS Copilot: Create separate workspaces per framework ("Company - ISO 27001," "Company - SOC 2") for focused, framework-specific guidance without context confusion

Cost and Resource Considerations

Investment Overview

• Vanta: Enterprise GRC platform with pricing typically starting at $20,000-40,000+ annually depending on company size and frameworks

• ISMS Copilot: Specialized compliance AI starting at $24/month individual or team plans for organizations

Combined Value Proposition

Organizations using both tools report:

• Reduced consultant dependency: Handle more compliance work in-house instead of hiring consultants at $150-300/hour

• Faster certification timelines: Vanta's automation + ISMS Copilot's expertise guidance reduces time to certification by 30-40%

• Higher first-time audit pass rates: Better policy quality and evidence adequacy from ISMS Copilot review reduces audit findings

• Smaller compliance teams: Automation + AI expertise enables 1-2 person teams to manage multi-framework compliance that previously required 3-4 people

Limitations and Boundaries

What This Combination Doesn't Replace

• Auditor services: You still need external auditors for SOC 2, ISO 27001 certification, and other third-party assessments

• Executive accountability: Leadership must still own compliance strategy and risk decisions

• Complex legal interpretation: Some regulatory questions require compliance attorneys, not AI guidance

• Hands-on implementation: Both tools provide guidance, but your team still implements controls, configures systems, and maintains processes

When You Might Still Need Consultants

• First-time certifications: Organizations pursuing their first ISO 27001 or SOC 2 often benefit from consultant guidance, even with Vanta + ISMS Copilot

• Complex multi-national compliance: Organizations operating across many jurisdictions with varied requirements may need legal and regulatory specialists

• Highly regulated industries: Healthcare, financial services, or government contractors may have nuances requiring industry-specific consultants

• Significant gaps or findings: If you have major compliance gaps or failed a previous audit, consultant guidance may accelerate remediation

Getting Started

If You're Already Using Vanta

1. Identify knowledge gaps: What questions do you currently ask consultants or search online to answer?

2. Try ISMS Copilot for policy review: Upload one policy from Vanta and ask for enhancement recommendations

3. Prepare for your next audit: Ask ISMS Copilot to generate likely auditor questions for your frameworks

4. Evaluate value: Track how often ISMS Copilot answers questions that would have required consultant time or extensive research

If You're Evaluating Both Tools

1. Start with Vanta: Vanta provides the operational foundation—monitoring, automation, and workflow management

2. Add ISMS Copilot for expertise: Once Vanta is deployed, add ISMS Copilot to handle quality review and implementation guidance

3. Establish workflow integration: Define when you use each tool and how they complement each other in your compliance program

What's Next

• Welcome to ISMS Copilot - Get started with ISMS Copilot

• Organizing Work with Workspaces - Set up separate workspaces for each framework or project

• How to Create ISO 27001 Policies Using AI - Enhance Vanta policies with AI-powered customization

• How to Conduct ISO 27001 Gap Analysis Using ISMS Copilot - Supplement Vanta's gap analysis with detailed control review

• How to Prepare for SOC 2 Audit Using ISMS Copilot - Prepare for audits with AI-generated questions and guidance

Getting Help

Questions about using ISMS Copilot alongside Vanta?

• Contact ISMS Copilot support for guidance on integrating AI expertise with your Vanta workflows

• Join the ISMS Copilot community to connect with other compliance professionals using both tools

• Check the Help Center for workflow templates and best practices