Which framework do you actually need?

Organizations that want an internationally recognized information-security certification, particularly those selling into European, UK, and APAC markets where ISO 27001 is commonly expected in procurement. It suits companies that want a certificate they can display, not just a report shared under NDA.

Organizations that build, deploy, or significantly rely on AI systems and want independent assurance over their AI governance: AI-first product companies, enterprises adopting AI in regulated contexts, and vendors whose customers are beginning to ask how their AI is governed.

Any US Department of Defense prime contractor or subcontractor whose contract includes DFARS 252.204-7021 and handles Federal Contract Information or Controlled Unclassified Information.

Healthcare providers, payers, health-tech vendors, and any organization whose customers or business associates require HITRUST certification, most commonly as an alternative or complement to a HIPAA attestation.

B2B software and cloud companies that store or process customer data, especially those selling to US enterprises. SOC 2 is the report mid-market and enterprise procurement teams request most often during vendor security reviews, so it is usually the first framework a growing SaaS company is asked to produce.

Any merchant, service provider, or processor that stores, processes, or transmits payment card data, including e-commerce platforms, payment gateways, SaaS providers handling card data, and fintechs whose acquirer or card brand requires a Report on Compliance.

Any organization that creates, receives, maintains, or transmits protected health information for the US healthcare system: providers and health plans, and the SaaS and cloud vendors that serve them as business associates.

Any organization, anywhere, that processes the personal data of individuals in the EU, including non-EU companies offering goods or services to, or monitoring, people in the EU.

Medium and large organizations operating in the EU within covered sectors, including energy, transport, banking, financial market infrastructure, health, drinking and waste water, digital infrastructure, ICT service management, public administration, space, postal services, waste management, chemicals, food, manufacturing of critical products, and digital providers. Smaller companies can also be pulled in through supply-chain requirements imposed by covered customers.

EU financial entities: banks, insurers, investment firms, payment and e-money institutions, crypto-asset service providers, and more, plus the critical ICT third-party providers, including cloud and software vendors, that support them.

Manufacturers, importers, and distributors of products with digital elements sold in the EU: connected devices, software products, and components, as well as their supply chains, which will be expected to support conformity.