Regulatory compliance and red tape are something that many organizations struggle to manage. Staying up-to-date with the changes in regulations and systematically mitigating vulnerabilities in an organization is exhaustive progress. Regulatory compliance software can help to make this easier by enabling you to manage compliance tasks on a centralized basis.
In this article, we’re going to look at the 10 best regulatory compliance software. As part of our comparison, we’re going to include log management tools for security and user agent monitoring, auditing software, and compliance management software for Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Here is our list of the ten best regulatory compliance software:
- ManageEngine Log360 EDITOR’S CHOICE – This SIEM package includes compliance reporting for the major US and EU data protection standards. Runs on Windows Server. Start a 30-day free trial.
- ManageEngine EventLog Analyzer (FREE TRIAL) – Log management tool with log collection, an event correlation engine, real-time alerts, compliance reports, and more. Start a 30-day free trial.
- Site24x7 (FREE TRIAL) – This platform of system monitoring and management services is able to implement compliance management by coordinating its modules. Get a 30-day free trial.
- AuditBoard – Audit, risk, and compliance management software with risk assessments, automated workflows, role-based dashboards, and more.
- LogicGate – Risk management software with conditional task workflows, dashboards, custom reports, automated reminders, and more.
- Netwrix Auditor – Network auditing program for running risk assessments with automated alerts, user activity monitoring, and more.
- SolarWinds Security Event Manager Event log management software for monitoring logs, user activity, with real-time event correlation.
- Workiva Wdesk – Cloud-based compliance and reporting tool with data-linking from documents and spreadsheets, collaboration, user permissions, change auditing, and more.
- MyEasyISO – Cloud-based compliance management software for ISO compliance with a library of compliance requirements, document management, and more.
- ZenGRC – GRC software for managing risks and compliance with a compliance dashboard, issue tracking, risk calculations, reporting, and more.
- Compliancy Group HIPAA Compliance Software – HIPAA Compliance software with HIPAA assessments, automated training, HIPAA compliance seal of approval, breach support, and more.
The Best Regulatory Compliance Software
Our methodology for selecting the best regulatory compliance software tool
We’ve broken down our analysis for you based on these key criteria:
- Emphasis on comprehensive compliance coverage for various regulations.
- Ability to offer real-time monitoring and alerts for compliance-related events.
- The scope and customization options of reporting features.
- Ease of integration with existing IT infrastructure.
- Cost-effectiveness and scalability for different organizational sizes.
1. ManageEngine Log360 (FREE TRIAL)
ManageEngine Log360 is a good choice for businesses that need to comply with PCI DSS, GDPR, FISMA, HIPAA, SOX, and GLBA. The tool also includes a file integrity monitor, which will guard files against ransomware encryption and also protect log files.
Key Features:
- Compliance auditing
- Log management
- Threat hunting
- File integrity monitoring
Why do we recommend it?
ManageEngine Log360 is a versatile tool for compliance with various regulations like PCI DSS and GDPR. Its comprehensive log management and threat hunting capabilities make it an effective cybersecurity solution.
The Log360 system includes a SIEM and a log manager. The log manager collects messages from around the network and also cloud platforms. The service can extract data from AWS, Azure, and Salesforce systems. On site, the log collectors access data by interacting with more than 700 software packages. They also pick up Windows Events and Syslog messages.
The log manager consolidates log messages into a common format and feeds them into the SIEM system. It also manages the directory structure for logs and rotates log files regularly. This makes logs available for compliance reporting.
The SIEM deploys user and entity behavior analytics (UEBA). This method records a standard pattern activity for each user account and device. The tool uses machine learning to constantly adjust those baselines and avoid false-positive reporting. The threat detection system in the SIEM is enhanced by a threat intelligence feed. When the SIEM detects suspicious activity, it raises an alert, which can be forwarded as a ticket through a service desk system. Log360 can interface to ManageEngine ServiceDesk Plus, Jira, and Kayoko.
Who is it recommended for?
Best for businesses requiring detailed log analysis and compliance auditing, particularly those managing extensive networks and cloud environments.
Pros:
- Comprehensive compliance auditing.
- Advanced threat-hunting capabilities.
- Extensive log management, including cloud platforms.
- File integrity monitoring against ransomware.
- Integrated SIEM with user and entity behavior analytics.
Cons:
- The broad scope and complexity may overwhelm smaller businesses.
Log360 installs on Windows Server and you can get it on a 30-day free trial.
EDITOR'S CHOICE
ManageEngine Log360 is our top pick for regulatory compliance software because it provides a full SIEM system as well as activity auditing and compliance reporting services. This package includes user behavior analysis to identify insider threats and it will protect your Active Directory system to ensure that insiders can’t write themselves their own accounts. This tool looks for system weaknesses and shows you how to tighten up controls to make your system watertight. This system provides reporting for PCI DSS, GDPR, FISMA, HIPAA, SOX, and GLBA. The reporting service sits on top of a security enforcement package that means that you are not just reporting to these standards but enforcing them. The Log360 system is a very large package and it is important for those business that are legally obliged to protect the personally identifiable information of their customers. With this system, you can ensure that you continue to qualify to bid for contracts and you will be able to avoid the high cost of data breach fines.
Download: Access the 30-day FREE Trial
Official Site: https://www.manageengine.com/log-management/download.html
OS: Windows Server
2. ManageEngine EventLog Analyzer (FREE TRIAL)
ManageEngine EventLog Analyzer is a free log management tool that enables you to collect and monitor logs throughout your environment. ManageEngine EventLog Analyzer comes with a correlation engine you can use to detect potential cyberattacks that put your data at risk.
Key Features:
- Collect and monitor log data
- Event correlation engine
- Customizable compliance reports
- Real-time alerts
Why do we recommend it?
ManageEngine EventLog Analyzer is an effective tool for collecting and monitoring log data, with a strong focus on detecting cyberattacks and managing compliance.
When a significant event is discovered, ManageEngine EventLog Analyzer sends an email or SMS notification to notify the user. Alerts are categorized as high, medium, or low so the recipient can ascertain the severity of the event. You can choose from over 500 predefined alert criteria or create custom alerts.
The software also comes with a wealth of compliance reports preconfigured for regulations such as SOX, PCI, GLBA, HIPAA, FISMA, ISO 27001, GPG, ISLP, and more. Reports display information on activities like user logins, logoffs, changes to databases, and more. Reports can also be customized according to your requirements.
Who is it recommended for?
Ideal for companies needing a comprehensive log management tool that offers customizable compliance reporting and real-time alerts.
Pros:
- Efficient log data collection and monitoring.
- Event correlation engine for cyberattack detection.
- Customizable compliance reports for various regulations.
- Real-time alert system with severity categorization.
Cons:
- Limited to five log sources in the free version; paid versions might be expensive.
ManageEngine EventLog Analyzer is a match for companies that need a log management tool with compliance reporting. There is a free version that supports up to five log sources. To view pricing information for the paid versions you need to contact the company directly to request a quote. You can download the program for Windows and Linux. Register for a 30-day free trial.
3. Site24x7 (FREE TRIAL)
Site24x7 provides a comprehensive regulatory compliance software package from its full-stack observability services. The platform is designed to help organizations meet various industry-specific regulatory requirements by automating compliance monitoring, reporting, and auditing.
Key Features:
- Network discovery and documentation
- Network configuration management
- System activity logging
- Compliance audit trail
Why do we recommend it?
Site24x7 offers features specifically designed for compliance management, including continuous monitoring of security configurations, system performance, and access controls. For example, it helps ensure that access to sensitive data is restricted to authorized personnel only, that data encryption is in place, and that any changes to system configurations are logged and reviewed.
This cloud-based package helps businesses mitigate the risk of compliance violations, ensuring that regulatory obligations are continuously met, which is critical in avoiding fines, legal consequences, and reputational damage.
The platform’s automated alerts notify administrators of any potential compliance issues, such as unauthorized access attempts or system vulnerabilities that could compromise regulatory requirements. This real-time alerting system ensures that businesses can take prompt corrective action, reducing the risk of security breaches and compliance failures.
Who is it recommended for?
Businesses across multiple sectors, including healthcare, finance, retail, and telecommunications, rely on Site24x7 to ensure they adhere to regulations such as GDPR, HIPAA, PCI-DSS, SOX, and more. With its robust monitoring capabilities, Site24x7 provides real-time tracking of IT systems, infrastructure, and applications, ensuring that they remain secure, compliant, and operational.
Pros:
- Compliance management for PCI DSS, HIPAA, SOX, and GDPR
- Log analyzer
- Alerts for suspicious activity
- Cloud-based system
Cons:
- No on-premises option
The Site24x7 platform isn’t only designed for compliance management. The package also provides operational performance monitoring. You can assess Site24x7 with a 30-day free trial.
4. AuditBoard
AuditBoard is an audit, risk, and compliance management tool that can be used to manage internal controls. AuditBoard users can prepare for compliance for regulations such as SOC, NIST, PCI, FINRA, GDPR, and more. You can use the tool to create control frameworks and complete compliance assessments.
Key Features:
- Create controls frameworks
- Run risk assessments
- Issue management
- Automate workflows
- Role-based dashboards
Why do we recommend it?
AuditBoard is an advanced tool for managing audits, risks, and compliance, offering functionalities like creating control frameworks and running risk assessments.
Assessments allow you to measure your compliance status so you can see if there are any gaps you need to address. Role-based dashboards make it easier to divide compliance tasks among your employees and speed up the resolution of issues throughout your environment.
To manage risks within your environment, you can identify issues and assign them to remediation owners for review. You can then track the status of these weaknesses to make sure that they’re resolved. When it comes to implementing policies, you can use the software to create policies and automated reviews with workflows.
Who is it recommended for?
Suitable for enterprises needing a centralized platform for comprehensive risk assessments and compliance management.
Pros:
- Comprehensive risk assessment capabilities.
- Issue management and workflow automation.
- Role-based dashboards for efficient task division.
- Streamlines resolution of compliance issues.
Cons:
- Pricing information not readily available; may be expensive for smaller companies.
AuditBoard is a solution for enterprises that require a centralized tool for running risk assessments and managing compliance gaps. To view pricing information you need to contact the company directly for a quote. You can request a demo from this link here.
5. LogicGate Risk Cloud
LogicGate Risk Cloud is a GRC platform for mitigating security risks. With LogicGate Risk Cloud you can monitor compliance procedures through a single user interface. The platform provides conditional workflows so that you can manage the status and priority of tasks automatically, which helps you to choose which gaps to address first.
Key Features:
- Conditional task workflows
- Dashboards
- Custom reports
- Automated reminders
Why do we recommend it?
LogicGate Risk Cloud offers a powerful GRC platform for mitigating security risks, with features like conditional task workflows and customizable reports.
Through the dashboard, you can monitor information on deadlines, task resolution, and evidence collection. To make task management more efficient, LogicGate Risk Cloud comes with automated reminders that notify the owners of tasks when they need to respond to a document by uploading evidence or signing-off on it.
Customizable reports enable you to monitor your compliance standing with ease. Reports also help you to prepare for auditing with an audit trail of completed tasks that verify you’ve taken action to secure your internal processes.
Who is it recommended for?
Recommended for enterprises looking for a robust risk management tool that centralizes compliance procedures and automates task prioritization.
Pros:
- Conditional workflows for efficient task management.
- Comprehensive dashboards for monitoring compliance.
- Customizable reports for auditing and risk analysis.
- Focuses on prioritizing severe risks for remediation.
Cons:
- May require direct contact for pricing information, suggesting higher costs.
LogicGate Risk Cloud is recommended as regulatory compliance software for enterprises in the market for a risk management tool. For pricing information, you need to contact the company directly to request a quote. You can request a demo from this link here.
6. Netwrix Auditor
Netwrix Auditor is an auditing program that can be used to complete risk assessments. Running a risk assessment with Netwrix Auditor provides you with a catalog of risks throughout your environment. Risks you can identify include inactive user accounts, user accounts with administrative permissions, file names containing sensitive data, and potentially harmful files on file shares.
Key Features:
- Run risk assessments
- Automated alerts
- User activity monitoring
Why do we recommend it?
Netwrix Auditor is an excellent auditing program for conducting risk assessments, offering insights into a wide array of compliance risks.
All risks are assigned a risk level so you can see the most prominent compliance gaps with ease. A range of views help you to manage different compliance risks. For example, the Sensitive Files Count by Source viewallows you to see the number of files that contain sensitive data.
Automated alerts notify you about any suspicious activity so that you can respond before damage is done to your environment. You can even view an overview of an individual’s activity alerts alongside their risk score, which is useful for determining if there is a long-standing history of malicious activity. You can also monitor user activity to see what users were up to during user sessions.
Who is it recommended for?
Best suited for large enterprises that need to manage security risks proactively and prepare comprehensively for audits.
Pros:
- Detailed risk assessments with categorized risk levels.
- Automated alerts for suspicious activities.
- Helps manage different compliance risks efficiently.
- Suitable for a variety of regulatory frameworks.
Cons:
- Pricing starts at a higher range, potentially limiting smaller businesses.
Netwrix Auditor is a fit for enterprises that need to prepare for auditing and proactively manage security risks. Prices start at $1,890 (£1,515) per year for up to 150 Active Directory Users, up to 10 Windows servers, and 10TB of Windows File Servers data. You can start the 20-day free trial from this link here.
7. SolarWinds Security Event Manager
SolarWinds Security Event Manager is an event log management solution that can collect logs from throughout your network. SolarWinds Security Event Manager provides centralized log management enabling you to monitor IT system logs in real-time. Managing logs enables you to monitor user activity and identify security events.
Key Features:
- Centralized log collection
- Customizable reports
- Real-time event correlation
- Alerts
Why do we recommend it?
SolarWinds Security Event Manager is recommended for its comprehensive approach to event log management. It enables real-time monitoring of IT system logs, helping identify security events and user activities efficiently.
For example, you can monitor login events and see when certain users are acting suspiciously. Real-time event correlation can automatically identify suspicious patterns, which could indicate a cyber attack. Automated responses enable the program to respond to security threats automatically.
Alerts keep you updated on security events throughout your environment. For further information, you can use compliance reports, that come with pre-configured templates for regulations including HIPAA, SOX, and PCI DSS. There are over 300 report templates in total, and reports can be customized to display whatever information you require.
Who is it recommended for?
Ideal for enterprises seeking a robust solution for centralized log management, especially useful for compliance with regulations like HIPAA, SOX, and PCI DSS.
Pros:
- Centralized log management across the network.
- Customizable report templates for compliance.
- Real-time event correlation for security.
- Automated responses to security threats.
- Alert system to keep track of security events.
Cons:
- Complexity and cost may be prohibitive for smaller organizations.
SolarWinds Security Event Manager is suitable for identifying compliance risks and security events within an enterprise environment. Prices start at $2,525 (£2,025). It is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux. You can start the 30-day free trial.
8. Workiva Wdesk
Workiva Wdesk is a cloud-based compliance and reporting solution that you can use to link data from documents and spreadsheets. Workiva Wdesk makes it possible for teams to come together and collaborate on documents while automatically updating changes across all instances (if those changes were made at the source).
Key Features:
- Link and automatically update data from documents and spreadsheets
- View version history of document changes
- Task workflows
Why do we recommend it?
Workiva Wdesk excels in cloud-based compliance and reporting, enabling seamless collaboration on sensitive documents with secure data linking and task workflows.
To help keep collaboration secure, you can set user permissions and view audit trails of changes made to documents to identify who has been responsible for what. Managing documents is made easier with features like workflows, which allow users to assign tasks like reviews, approvals, and requests to others.
Who is it recommended for?
Ideal for large enterprises that require a secure, collaborative platform for managing compliance documentation and reporting.
Pros:
- Advanced document and spreadsheet linking.
- Version history tracking for document changes.
- Secure collaboration with user permission settings.
- Suitable for managing sensitive compliance documents.
Cons:
- Requires direct contact for pricing, which might indicate a higher cost structure.
Workiva Wdesk is suitable for enterprises in search of a compliance and reporting tool to manage sensitive documents. To view information about pricing, you need to contact the company for a quote. You can request a demo from this link here.
9. MyEasyISO
MyEasyISO is a cloud-based compliance management tool for ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, and ISO 45001:2018 compliance. With MyEasyISO you can monitor ISO compliance with a predefined library of compliance requirements. In one location, you can monitor all the regulatory requirements you need to conform to avoid non-compliance.
Key Features:
- Predefined library of compliance requirements
- Audit management
- Reports
- Document management
Why do we recommend it?
MyEasyISO offers a comprehensive cloud-based compliance management tool, particularly for ISO standards, with features like audit management and document control.
To manage risks in your environment, you can use MyEasyISO’s audit management capabilities to create audit checklists and generate reports. Reports can be distributed to other users for review and approval. Auditing your environment with the software provides you with an audit trail of controls used in your environment.
Document management allows you to create, distribute, and manage documents on a centralized basis. You can not only create and track tasks to manage documents but also manage approvals, ensuring that key documents are given the go-ahead.
Who is it recommended for?
Recommended for businesses focusing on ISO compliance, needing a tool that offers a predefined library of compliance requirements and effective audit management.
Pros:
- Specialized in ISO compliance management.
- Effective audit management capabilities.
- Comprehensive document management system.
- Useful for creating, distributing, and managing compliance documents.
Cons:
- Focused primarily on ISO standards, which may limit its applicability to other regulatory frameworks.
MyEasyISO is a tool that’s worth evaluating if you’re looking to manage ISO compliance tasks through a single solution. Prices start at $29 (£23.25) per month for a two-year plan of the Light Version with two users, 200mb of database storage, and 1GB of file storage. You can download the 30-day free trial from this link here.
10. ZenGRC
ZenGRC is a GRC platform that can be used to manage risks and compliance issues throughout your environment. ZenGRC enables the user to manage compliance through a Compliance Dashboard that displays the audit readiness of your organization for each different program such as SOC 1 or ISO/IEC 27001:2013. You can also view a widget on the Top 5 Issues in your environment, which helps to prioritize remediating the most severe risks first.
Key Features:
- Compliance dashboard
- Risk calculations
- Assign and track issues
- Upload frameworks, objectives, and controls
- Customizable reports
Why do we recommend it?
ZenGRC is a dynamic GRC platform designed to manage risks and compliance issues, featuring a comprehensive compliance dashboard and risk calculation tools.
To streamline the resolution of issues found, ZenGRC allows you to assign issues to other employees. You can then track those issues to see whether they’ve been resolved or not. Tasks can be tagged to determine which should be prioritized, ensuring that the biggest threats are identified and resolved quickly.
Customizable risk calculations allow you to identify the severity of threats throughout your environment. You can also use customizable reports to take a closer look at your overall risk status. For more general compliance management, ZenGRC allows you to upload frameworks, objectives, and controls. Putting all of your requirements in one place makes it much easier to manage your overall compliance.
Who is it recommended for?
Ideal for enterprises seeking a detailed overview of compliance status, including audit readiness, across multiple frameworks.
Pros:
- Comprehensive compliance dashboard for audit readiness.
- Customizable risk calculations and reports.
- Efficient issue assignment and tracking.
- Uploads frameworks, objectives, and controls for easy management.
- Streamlines resolution of high-priority compliance issues.
Cons:
- Pricing information is not readily available, suggesting a potentially higher cost.
ZenGRC is ideal for enterprises that want to view a snapshot of compliance status, including audit readiness across multiple frameworks. For pricing information, you need to request a quote from the company directly.
11. Compliancy Group HIPAA Compliance Software
Compliancy Group HIPAA Compliance Software is a HIPAA compliance tool you can use to manage HIPAA compliance. With Compliancy Group HIPAA Compliance Software you can run six HIPAA assessments to identify compliance gaps: Security, Administrative, Technical, Physical, Privacy, and Device.
Key Features:
- Run six HIPAA compliance assessments
- Track and report security incidents
- Automated employee training
- Breach support
Why do we recommend it?
Compliancy Group HIPAA Compliance Software is a dedicated tool for managing HIPAA compliance, offering features like six different compliance assessments and breach support.
Complying with HIPAA provides you with a HIPAA compliance seal of approval you can use on your website. The solution also comes with access to automated training resources for employees. A reporting feature enables you to track the status of training for individual employees and see when the training was completed.
In the event there is a breach, Compliancy Group’s Breach Support will provide you with a team of compliance coaches who will advise you on how to respond effectively. They will also provide reports and documentation to ensure you provide regulators with all the necessary information about a security incident.
Who is it recommended for?
A perfect fit for healthcare organizations and businesses that need to comply with HIPAA regulations comprehensively.
Pros:
- Offers six detailed HIPAA compliance assessments.
- Tracks and reports security incidents effectively.
- Offers a HIPAA compliance seal of approval for websites.
Cons:
- Solely focused on HIPAA compliance, which may not suit organizations with broader compliance needs.
Compliancy Group HIPAA Compliance Software is a solution fit for enterprise users subject to the requirements of HIPAA. For pricing information, you need to contact the company directly to request a quote. You can get a demo from this link here.
Choosing Regulatory Compliance Software
Going the ad-hoc route for managing regulatory compliance is a tough road to travel. Without a specialized compliance management solution, it can be very difficult to identify and resolve security threats effectively. It’s often much easier to adopt a specialized solution in the form of regulatory compliance software.
Not all compliance tools are built the same, so we recommend researching products so you can find the best fit for your environment. If you want to manage security events and create compliance reports then SolarWinds Security Event Manager is a good place to start.
However, if you want to monitor compliance status across multiple solutions then ZenGRC is a highly accessible alternative. No matter what tools you investigate we recommend conducting in-depth research on multiple products to ensure you get the best fit for your organization.
