A Journey from Manual Processes to Streamlined Efficiency

Before Automation: Managing Compliance Manually

ChurnZero, a leading customer success platform dedicated to helping subscription businesses grow and succeed, faced a significant challenge in managing its compliance efforts. Initially, the company had no compliance program in place. Building a SOC 2 compliance framework from scratch was a daunting task that involved manual evidence collection, policy documentation, and the implementation of necessary systems such as an HR solution. This process was labor-intensive and time-consuming, taking the better part of a year to prepare for an audit.

As the company grew, the complexity of managing compliance increased, involving multiple departments and creating an untenable situation.

Michael Kipp, Senior Director of Information Security and Technology Operations, described the situation: "It got to a point where it was untenable, and we had to look for a solution to help to reign it all in."

Automating Compliance with Drata

Looking to build out a sustainable compliance program, ChurnZero turned to Drata. Drata’s user-friendly interface and comprehensive features made it the ideal choice for streamlining the company’s compliance processes. The platform automated numerous tasks that were previously done manually, such as evidence collection, employee device monitoring, policy adherence tracking, and AWS settings checks.

75% Time Savings: Significant Time and Cost Savings

The implementation of Drata brought about substantial benefits for ChurnZero. The time required for SOC 2 audit preparation was dramatically reduced from a year to just a few weeks, with the audit itself being completed in seven days instead of a month. This increased efficiency cut audit costs from $35,000 to $10,000 annually. The automation of compliance tasks allowed the team to focus on more strategic initiatives, such as achieving ISO 27001 and HIPAA attestation.

One of the standout features for ChurnZero has been Drata’s Trust Center, which allows prospects to access compliance information directly, significantly reducing the need for repetitive communications. Trust Center not only enhanced customer trust but also streamlined the sales process, making it easier for ChurnZero to scale. Michael shared, "Our time to close deals has reduced quite a bit because of the Trust Center. We've been able to release a lot more information that historically we wouldn't have released. We direct prospects to our Trust Center, cutting down on the number of hours spent answering questions back and forth."

Strategic Focus and Future Planning

With Drata handling the bulk of compliance tasks, ChurnZero’s team could shift their focus to more strategic goals within the organization. The efficiency gained through automation allowed the company to pursue additional certifications and attestations that were previously not considered. This shift not only reduced the day-to-day stress associated with compliance but also enabled ChurnZero to enhance its overall technology operations.

Drata transformed ChurnZero's approach to compliance, turning a previously chaotic and labor-intensive process into a streamlined and efficient system. This transformation supported the company’s growth and success, ensuring that they could continue to deliver exceptional value to their customers while maintaining the highest standards of compliance.