What is a GRC Tool?
A GRC (Governance, Risk, and Compliance) tool is a purpose-built software that forms the foundation of your organisation’s governance, risk, and compliance programme. It tracks policies, practices, tasks, and requirements, providing unified visibility across your program, so you stay on top of compliance and risk management.
There are numerous GRC tools available, each with distinct features and functionalities. Some specialise in specific GRC aspects, such as guiding risk management processes, mitigating vendor and third-party risks, or monitoring compliance. Others are designed for specific frameworks but can be customised to align with your unique business strategy. The key to choosing the right tool is evaluating its capabilities to ensure it meets your needs, processes, and growth goals.
Choosing the right Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) platform is a strategic decision that will shape how your organisation manages risks, complies with regulations, and maintains operational integrity in a fast-moving, increasingly complex world. This blog outlines key features to look for in a modern GRC platform, the challenges to avoid, and why solutions like Symbiant are redefining what a best-in-class GRC system should deliver.
Why GRC Software is no longer optional and how manual Risk Management is holding You back
GRC isn’t just a compliance exercise. It’s the connective tissue that links strategic governance, day-to-day risk mitigation, and ongoing regulatory accountability. With risks ranging from data privacy and cyber threats to supply chain disruption and evolving ESG standards, organisations need a single source of truth, one that streamlines workflows, ensures consistency, and surfaces actionable insights.
Attempting to manage governance, risk, and compliance using spreadsheets, siloed processes, or outdated legacy systems is not only time-consuming—it’s risky. These manual methods introduce duplication, data discrepancies, and reporting gaps. Tracking audit actions, mapping risks to controls, and aligning with multiple frameworks quickly becomes unmanageable. Teams waste valuable hours chasing information, manually updating registers, or reconciling versions, leaving room for error and reducing confidence in decisions.
The hidden cost of not using a dedicated GRC platform is significant: operational inefficiency, reduced visibility, lower stakeholder trust, and ultimately, greater exposure to regulatory and reputational risk.
An effective GRC platform provides an integrated, centralised way to document, track, assess, and respond to risks and obligations. It not only boosts transparency and auditability across teams but also frees up time and resources, so you can focus on strategic improvement rather than firefighting compliance.
How Symbiant helped leading organisations break free from manual Risk Management
Stafford Railway Building Society was managing risk and compliance through spreadsheets—a process that was slow, manual, and resource-heavy. Reports took hours to prepare, updates were inconsistent, and visibility was limited. After moving to Symbiant, they automated reminders, streamlined reporting, and regained valuable time. Risk owners could finally focus on strategy instead of chasing data.
At Whistl, risk and audit activities were scattered across tools and teams. Manual processes led to delays, siloed data, and audit actions slipping through the cracks. With Symbiant, everything now sits in one place. Teams can assign actions, track status in real time, and report instantly—without relying on disconnected files or endless follow-ups.
Marsh Finance needed better control over complaints, audit tracking, and operational risk. Their manual approach lacked structure and accountability, and leadership had no clear visibility into unresolved issues. Symbiant delivered a centralised platform with live dashboards, automated escalation, and audit-ready tracking—transforming how they manage and report on risk.
These are just a few examples of organisations that outgrew spreadsheets—and chose Symbiant to move forward. They didn’t just adopt software; they replaced complexity with clarity, disconnected processes with a single source of truth, and reactive risk management with proactive control.
Symbiant works—because it’s built for teams that are ready to work smarter.
Common pitfalls in GRC platform selection
Choosing the wrong GRC platform can drain resources, frustrate teams, and ultimately lead to poor adoption. Here are some of the most common missteps:
Overengineered Tools — Some providers intentionally design complex systems that require extensive training, certification programmes, or consultancy just to get started. While these may appear feature-rich, they often introduce unnecessary friction and dependency—adding cost and reducing agility.
Hidden Costs and Opaque Pricing Models — Licensing fees, training charges, consultancy rates, per-user pricing, and premium features locked behind paywalls can cause budgets to spiral. What starts as a “base price” quickly becomes a costly commitment.
Poor User Experience — If a system is clunky, unintuitive, or difficult to configure, teams will disengage. The result? A return to spreadsheets and manual workarounds, defeating the purpose of investing in GRC software in the first place.
Limited Flexibility — A rigid system that can’t adapt to your unique processes or support multiple frameworks (like ISO, GDPR, or ESG) will become a bottleneck as your organisation evolves.
Siloed Data — Platforms that lack integration across modules, departments, or entities lead to duplicated effort, inconsistent reporting, and a fragmented view of risk, making it harder to make informed decisions.
What to look for in a GRC solution
1. Clear objectives and alignment with organisational needs
Before selecting a GRC solution, define your goals:
- Are you focused on audit readiness or improving risk visibility?
- Are you managing multiple frameworks like ISO, GDPR, ESG or industry-specific mandates?
- Are you moving from a spreadsheet-based approach or upgrading from a fragmented system?
Symbiant’s platform supports organisations at all stages of GRC maturity, whether you’re starting with incident reporting or implementing a fully integrated audit and risk environment.
2. Modular, flexible and intuitive architecture
An effective GRC platform should adapt to the way your organisation works, not the other way around. Look for modular systems that allow you to start small and expand without disruption.
Symbiant’s modular design allows you to activate only the features you need, whether that’s risk management, audit working papers, policy registers, or incident tracking. Each module operates independently yet shares a central data structure, enabling seamless data flow and cross-functional reporting. This approach offers complete flexibility without compromise.
Ease of use is also critical. Symbiant is designed for functional teams, not just system administrators, making configuration and day-to-day use intuitive and low-maintenance. Most clients go live within 24 hours, and training requirements are minimal.
3. Advanced AI capabilities, designed for control
Artificial intelligence has the potential to significantly reduce manual workloads in GRC, but only when used responsibly. At Symbiant, we believe AI should assist—not replace—human decision-making. That’s why our AI-assisted functionality is entirely optional and designed to support your teams with intelligent suggestions, cross-module linking, and faster access to relevant data, while keeping full control and oversight in your hands.
To learn more about our approach to responsible, transparent AI in GRC, read our principles for Assisted Intelligence in GRC and Audit Management.
Symbiant’s AI Assistant:
- Links relevant data across modules (e.g., risks, incidents, audits) in real time
- Offers intelligent recommendations based on contextual inputs
- Identifies duplicate data in seconds and surfaces key information faster
- Never stores client data and operates via temporary, local cache
- Rewrites descriptions for clarity and more.
This ensures GDPR compliance and keeps full decision-making authority in your hands, while enhancing operational efficiency and visibility.
SYMBIANT OPTIONAL AI ASSISTANT
World’s Leading AI-Powered Risk, Audit, GRC Management Software
The Symbiant AI is an intelligent assistant that is like having a super-fast Risk and Audit professional working for you 24/7.
Starting at just £100/month /unlimited users.
4. Transparent, scalable pricing
A GRC tool should fit your budget today and remain viable as your organisation grows. Symbiant’s pricing starts at £300/month* with:
- No setup costs
- No long-term contracts
- Free onboarding and training
- Free support
This provides maximum value and budget clarity without sacrificing features.
5. Integration and data fluidity
Ensure the platform can link audits to risks, incidents to controls, and actions to accountability, without bolt-on tools. Symbiant’s cross-module logic ensures that all relevant data points stay connected, traceable, and auditable.
Addressing scalability, framework support, and security
Symbiant supports multiple concurrent frameworks (e.g. ISO 27001, GDPR), dynamic risk scoring, and control self-assessments. Role-based permissions, encrypted UK-based cloud hosting, and GDPR-compliant AI integration ensure enterprise-grade governance without complexity.
Symbiant’s advanced features: Tailored for the modern GRC landscape
Symbiant’s platform integrates automation and intelligent features that streamline the entire risk and compliance process. Here’s how our tool supports your GRC needs:
Automation capability
Symbiant automates key elements of governance, risk, and compliance management to save time and reduce manual workload. The system automatically sends reminders and alerts for tasks, actions, audits, and compliance reviews, helping teams stay on track without the need for constant oversight.
Cloud monitoring
Symbiant’s secure cloud-based platform provides real-time access to your GRC environment—anytime, anywhere. Whether working remotely or across departments, your team can monitor updates, track performance, and collaborate without delay.
Task management and workflow
Our tool enables seamless task tracking and workflow management, ensuring that your teams stay on track. You’ll get instant updates on the status of tasks, alerts for overdue actions, and automated reminders, making project management and compliance monitoring more organized and efficient.
Scalability and Future-proofing
As your organisation grows, so too should your GRC tool. Symbiant is built to scale with you. Whether you’re adding new compliance requirements or adjusting your risk management strategy, our software adapts without requiring additional manual input from your team. This ensures your GRC strategy remains efficient, no matter the size of your business.
Local language capability
In a global business environment, it’s essential to ensure that your GRC platform supports multiple languages.
Customisation
Symbiant’s GRC platform is fully customisable, allowing you to tailor every aspect of the system to your organisation’s unique structure, risks, and compliance requirements. Whether you’re implementing custom frameworks, adjusting testing protocols, or aligning workflows with internal policies, Symbiant adapts to your needs—without development delays.
Dashboards are role-based and can be fully customised, ensuring each user sees only what’s relevant to them. This not only enhances usability and focus but also strengthens control and security across teams.
Symbiant GRC Platform Overview
Symbiant provides a fully modular, intelligent platform for Governance, Risk, Compliance, and Audit Management. Each solution group is designed to work seamlessly together—sharing data, logic, and reporting—so your organisation gains unified visibility across all areas of risk.
Risk Management Solutions
Symbiant makes risk management collaborative, dynamic, and data-driven. From registers to workshops, incidents to indicators, every module is designed to help you identify, assess, and mitigate risks with clarity and confidence.
Risk Register Software
Capture and manage all risks in one place, with custom scoring logic, cross-linking to controls, audits, and incidents, and real-time reporting. Designed to align with ISO 31000.
Risk Workshops Software
Enable inclusive, remote, and real-time risk assessments across departments. Anyone—regardless of GRC expertise—can contribute to structured evaluations, supporting engagement and transparency.
Risk Controls and Policies Software
Maintain a live, auditable record of your internal controls and policies. Link them directly to risks, audits, or incidents and track ownership, reviews, and effectiveness over time.
Risk Incident Reporter Software
Log, assign, and investigate incidents and near misses. Each report can be linked to affected risks or controls and escalated with associated actions, ensuring full visibility and accountability.
Questionnaires, Survey, and Assessment Software
Create internal assessments, supplier surveys, and risk evaluations that feed directly into your GRC framework. Ideal for control testing, audits, and cultural assessments.
Key Risk Indicators (KRI) Software
Track and monitor real-time risk trends. Set thresholds, receive alerts, and take action based on KRI performance—keeping you one step ahead of emerging issues.
Audit Management Solutions
Symbiant streamlines the entire audit lifecycle—from planning and fieldwork to reporting and action tracking—giving audit teams the tools they need to deliver assurance with agility and accuracy.
Audit Action Tracker Software
Monitor audit actions across the business. Assign responsibilities, set deadlines, and track resolution in real time, ensuring findings are acted on and never overlooked.
Audit Working Papers Software
Conduct audit fieldwork directly within Symbiant, linking working papers to relevant risks, controls, and previous findings. Create a digital audit trail that’s easy to manage and export.
Compliance Management Solutions
Stay ahead of regulatory demands and internal obligations. Symbiant’s compliance modules help you monitor activity, manage assessments, resolve complaints, and document key actions—all from one central hub.
Complaint Management Module
Log, assign, escalate, and resolve complaints with full traceability. Maintain oversight across departments and link complaints to risks, controls, or actions where necessary.
Compliance Monitoring Software
Track and evidence testing of compliance requirements, regulatory controls, and audit checks. Includes live status dashboards and integrated action tracking.
DPIA Software
Conduct and document Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs) with clear workflows, guidance prompts, and evidence capture aligned to GDPR standards.
Service Desk Software
Manage GRC-related service requests and issues with clear routing, action ownership, and response tracking—ideal for handling internal queries or compliance workflows.
SHE Software
Support your Safety, Health, and Environmental obligations with structured incident recording, control monitoring, and compliance tracking built into your wider GRC ecosystem.
Governance Software Solutions
Symbiant brings clarity and control to strategic governance. From business objectives to continuity planning and documentation, our tools ensure structure, alignment, and accountability across leadership functions.
Business Continuity Planning Software
Plan for disruption with tested continuity strategies linked to critical assets, risks, and departments. Ensure recovery and continuity activities are clearly owned and documented.
Business Objectives Software
Align risk management and audits with strategic business goals. Monitor objective progress and link outcomes to risks, KRIs, or incidents to maintain strategic visibility.
Document Management Software
Securely manage your GRC documentation—policies, procedures, manuals—with access control, version tracking, and audit-ready records.
Due Diligence Software
The Due Diligence Module aids in the recording, tracking and completion of Due Diligence assessments quickly and effectively.
Go beyond with Symbiant
With over 25 years of innovation in governance, risk, and compliance, Symbiant has been a trusted partner for organisations since 1999. We’re not just another GRC vendor—we’re pioneers in making GRC smarter, simpler, and more accessible.
Thousands of users across sectors—from finance and healthcare to public services and charities—rely on Symbiant for:
- Proven Credibility
Trusted by professional auditors, internal audit teams, and regulatory bodies, including accountancy institutes that use Symbiant to manage their own risk and compliance. - Unmatched Value
We deliver enterprise-grade functionality at a fraction of the typical cost. No setup fees, no complex pricing structures, just one transparent monthly subscription that scales with you. - Genuinely Flexible Software
Customisable, modular, and intuitive—Symbiant adapts to your workflows, frameworks, and team structures. Go live within 24 hours and expand as needed, without expensive reconfigurations. - Human-Centric AI Assistance
Our AI is designed to support—not replace—your people. It links data, streamlines analysis, and reduces manual effort, while keeping your decisions and data secure. - Built in the UK. Backed by Experts.
Hosted on UK-based encrypted servers, fully GDPR-compliant, and supported by a team that understands what organisations actually need—not what vendors want to sell.
Choose Symbiant and gain more than just software, you gain a partner with decades of experience, a commitment to innovation, and a platform designed around your success.
Ready to Simplify, Strengthen, and Scale Your GRC?
Join the organisations that trust Symbiant to manage their risks, audits, and compliance with precision, flexibility, and intelligence.
Whether you're replacing spreadsheets, upgrading from legacy tools, or scaling across teams and frameworks—Symbiant gives you the power, without the price tag.
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