9 Key Challenges From A-LIGN’s 2024 Compliance Benchmark Report

A-LIGN's 2024 Compliance Benchmark Report provides valuable insights into the current state of compliance, highlighting the challenges and trends faced by organizations this year. 

Here are the top challenges A-LIGN uncovered in their research (that Drata can solve):

1. Quality of Reports Is Paramount

A significant 69% of respondents deemed the quality of reports as “extremely important.” This underscores the importance of working with experienced and reputable firms. At Drata, our Auditor Alliance network ensures that organizations have access to top-tier auditors, like A-LIGN, enhancing the reliability and credibility of compliance reports.

2. Auditor Quality Matters

For organizations that have used multiple auditors, 79% of respondents noticed a difference in the quality of audits. This highlights the need for carefully selecting auditors. Auditor quality is not just noticeable; it can also have substantial impacts on the outcomes of compliance efforts.

That’s why we built Drata Launch - The Alliance Program. Our auditor directory features pre-vetted auditing firms with communicative, efficient auditors that can help you get the job done. Plus, they’re already well-versed in how to use Drata, saving you that much more time and headache. 

Drata and A-LIGN customer, Magic, saw this benefit first-hand and has stated, “Magic is the first WaaS provider in the world to achieve SOC 2, ISO 27001, and HIPAA by leveraging the expertise of A-LIGN and the powerful technology of Drata.”

Not sure how to increase the chances of finding a good auditor? Here’s how to audit your auditor.

3. Report Rejections Are Common

38% of organizations have had a report rejected by a vendor or prospect. Choosing the right auditor can prevent these rejections, saving you time and money. Rejected audits can take months or even a year to overcome, resulting in significant time wasted and opportunity costs. High-quality reports reduce the likelihood of rejections, enhancing trust and credibility with vendors and prospects.

Using features like Evidence Library and Audit Hub help monitor any potential control failures or deficiencies, so you can avoid receiving a rejected report.

4. The Burden of Security Questionnaires

83% of respondents have had to fill out a security questionnaire for a vendor. Having a SOC 2 report can significantly ease this burden. A robust compliance automation platform should provide collateral and tools to help you streamline the process of responding to security questionnaires, leveraging the credibility of their SOC 2 reports.

With Drata AI, you can speed up security questionnaires while maintaining full human oversight. Our Trust Center also helps showcase your security and compliance achievements.

5. Significant Time Spent on Audits

66% of teams spend at least three months of the year on audits. The compliance process can be time-consuming and resource-intensive. Efficient processes and integrated technology are crucial to minimize the time spent on audits.

Since the launch of Drata’s Adaptive Automation, customers have achieved compliance faster and more efficiently than organizations who work on compliance manually. In fact, Lucidworks automated 40% of their compliance efforts by using Drata.

6. Limited Dedicated Compliance Resources

Only 20% of companies have a dedicated compliance department. Many organizations lack the resources to manage compliance effectively. This highlights the need for compliance platforms that provide comprehensive support and automation, making it easier for companies to maintain compliance with limited resources.

Drata customers have access to expert advisors and former auditors from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. PT, serving as a sounding board for any compliance questions or complications. Plus, our live technical support and customer success teams are there to guide you every step of the way—even if you have no internal GRC personnel.

7. The Rise of AI in Compliance

44% of companies reported using AI to optimize the compliance process. The growing importance of AI in compliance cannot be overstated. AI can help automate tedious tasks, enhance accuracy, and streamline compliance processes, but it’s all too easy to overlook responsible and ethical AI usage. That’s why we created best practices for implementing AI.

8. The Cost of Missing Compliance

34% of companies reported lost business opportunities due to the absence of a crucial attestation or report. Organizations can face lengthy delays before going through another audit, and they're significantly hamstrung from selling into the markets that require compliance. This is why compliance is essential for business growth and credibility because it can open doors to new opportunities and partnerships. Businesses that see GRC as an enabler and not a cost-center can leverage compliance automation to differentiate and acquire new business.

There are a variety of other consequences to not being compliant, and many of them come at a high cost—more on that in our blog on the cost of non-compliance here.

9. Lack of Resources and Automation

The report highlights two primary audit challenges: 18% of respondents reported that their top challenge is tedious, manual evidence collection, while 21% cited limited staff resources. Compliance automation can significantly alleviate these challenges with automated evidence collection and tools to manage compliance efficiently, even with limited staff resources.

A-LIGN's 2024 Compliance Benchmark Report underscores the critical importance of high-quality audits, efficient processes, and the strategic use of technology in compliance. 

Organizations must prioritize selecting experienced auditors, leveraging AI, and utilizing comprehensive compliance platforms to navigate the complexities of compliance successfully. 

Schedule some time with our team to see how Drata can help you enhance credibility, save resources, and boost your bottom line.