Agency vs Secureframe

Secureframe gives you the software. Agency runs the program.

Secureframe is GRC software your team configures and operates. Agency is the operated alternative — U.S.-based forward-deployed engineers and proprietary AI implement controls, collect evidence, and run continuous monitoring for you, on top of Secureframe, Vanta, Drata, or your existing stack.

1,500+ programs delivered · Platform-agnostic GRC operators · Rated 4.9 on G2

SOC 2ISO 27001HIPAACMMCGDPRFedRAMPHITRUSTISO 42001and more

Talk to a compliance engineer Compare side by side ↓

Agency runs it, you don't

Virtual CISO coverage
Control implementation
Evidence collection
Continuous monitoring
Vendor risk management
Penetration testing

Operated by forward-deployed engineers + proprietary AI, on top of Secureframe.

Trusted by Thousands, Partnered With The Industry's Elite

The verdict

Secureframe is a capable starter platform for teams getting their first framework in place and running it themselves. Agency is the operated alternative for companies that want the full lifecycle run for them — forward-deployed U.S.-based engineers and AI that implement controls, collect evidence, and run continuous monitoring on top of Secureframe, Vanta, or your existing stack, across SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, CMMC, and more.

DIY compliance software still leaves the work to you

Secureframe automates dashboards and evidence pipelines, but the program still runs on your team. Agency operates it instead.

Running Secureframe yourself

Engineers pulled off the roadmap to configure and maintain it
Software flags the gaps, but your team still closes them
Policies, controls, and auditor prep land on whoever is free
vCISO, pen testing, and audits sourced from separate vendors

With Agency

Forward-deployed engineers own the program end-to-end
AI plus engineers implement controls and collect evidence
We operate on top of Secureframe, Vanta, and your existing stack
vCISO, monitoring, vendor risk, and pen testing in one program

Agency vs Secureframe, side by side

Secureframe gives you the software to manage compliance yourself. Agency runs the program for you — on top of Secureframe, Vanta, Drata, or whatever you already use.

Capability	Agency	Secureframe (DIY GRC tool)
Delivery model	Operated service + AI	Self-serve software
Compliance automation platform	Runs on top of yours	Yes
U.S.-based forward-deployed compliance engineers	Yes	No
Virtual CISO included	Yes	Via add-on services
Control implementation done for you	Yes	No
Evidence collection run for you	Yes	Automated, you operate it
Continuous control monitoring	Yes	Yes
Auditor coordination managed for you	Yes	Auditor network
Penetration testing included	Yes	Via partner marketplace
Vendor / third-party risk management	Operated for you	Yes
Multi-framework (SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, CMMC)	Yes	Yes
Platform-agnostic (experts in Vanta and Drata)	Yes	No
Commercial model	Managed service	Software subscription
Best for	Teams that want it run for them	Teams running their first framework themselves

Where Secureframe genuinely wins — automated evidence and a quick path to a first framework — we say so. The point isn't that the software is weak; it's that the software still needs someone to run it.

What the operated model delivers

Agency runs your GRC platform so it actually pays off — bringing down the all-in cost of Secureframe while your engineers stay on the roadmap.

200+

Hours saved per year — what the average Agency client reclaims by handing compliance busywork to our engineers and AI.

$100K+

Engineering & compliance time recovered — typical yearly savings versus running the program in-house.

1,500+

SOC 2 programs delivered across Secureframe, Vanta, Drata, and the rest of the stack over the last five years — platform-agnostic by design.

Which one is right for you

Both are legitimate paths to compliance. The deciding factor is whether you want to run the program or have it run for you.

Choose Secureframe when

You're putting your first framework in place, want a capable starter platform with automated evidence, and have in-house engineers with the time to configure it and run the program themselves.

Choose Agency when

You want the full lifecycle operated for you — forward-deployed engineers and AI handling control implementation, evidence, monitoring, vendor risk, and audits across SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, and CMMC, on top of Secureframe, Vanta, or Drata.

Agency vs Secureframe, answered

The questions buyers ask most when weighing operated compliance against DIY GRC software.

What is the difference between Agency and Secureframe?

Secureframe is compliance automation software your own team configures and operates. Agency is a managed service — U.S.-based forward-deployed engineers and AI implement controls, collect evidence, and run monitoring for you, on top of Secureframe, Vanta, or your existing stack.

Is Agency better than Secureframe?

Agency and Secureframe solve different problems. Secureframe is a capable starter platform for teams that want to run a first framework themselves. Agency is better for teams that want the full lifecycle operated for them by forward-deployed engineers across SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, and CMMC.

Can Agency replace Secureframe?

Agency does not replace Secureframe — Agency operates on top of it. Agency is platform-agnostic, so clients keep their existing GRC tool while Agency runs the control implementation, evidence collection, and audit coordination.

Is Agency cheaper than Secureframe?

Secureframe's software subscription is lower-cost on its own, but it leaves the work to your team. Agency is a managed service that bundles the platform with the people running it, and the average Agency client saves over 200 hours and $100K in engineering and compliance time per year.

Who should use Secureframe instead of Agency?

Secureframe is the better fit for teams putting a first framework in place that want low-cost, self-serve compliance automation and have in-house engineers with the time and expertise to run the program themselves. Agency is for teams that want that program operated for them.

Does Agency work with Secureframe?

Yes. Agency is platform-agnostic — our forward-deployed engineers and AI operate on top of Secureframe with no rip-and-replace and no migration. Agency also supports Vanta, Drata, CrowdStrike, and the rest of your stack, bringing down the all-in cost of whichever GRC platform you use.

Does Agency include a virtual CISO and penetration testing?

Yes. Agency includes virtual CISO coverage, control implementation, evidence collection, continuous monitoring, vendor risk management, and penetration testing as one operated program — across multiple frameworks at once, on top of Secureframe.

Is Agency a Secureframe alternative?

Not in the usual sense. Agency isn't a rival GRC tool you swap Secureframe for — it's a managed layer that runs on top of Secureframe, Vanta, or Drata. You keep the platform; Agency's forward-deployed engineers and AI operate it for you, implementing controls, collecting evidence, and running monitoring.

Do I still need a compliance team if I use Secureframe?

With Secureframe alone, effectively yes — the software automates evidence, but your team still implements controls, closes gaps, and preps audits. With Agency, forward-deployed engineers and AI do that work for you, so you get the full program without hiring the headcount.

Industry Leading Security & Compliance

We strive to meet the highest standards of security and privacy. Our mature compliance posture has met the highest levels of scrutiny from independent third party auditors.