A GRC platform tracks whether a control exists. A SOC produces the evidence showing the control worked. Pairing them lets an MSP sell a compliance service neither delivers alone, and the join is where the advisory revenue sits. This guide gives the reference architecture for SOC 2, ISO 27001 and NIS2, what each side owns, and what an MSP charges for the work in between.
What a GRC platform does and does not do
A GRC platform holds the control set, the policies, the evidence requests and the audit trail of who attested to what. It shows an auditor the control is defined and assigned. It does not watch the environment. If a control silently stops working, the platform still shows it as in place until someone says otherwise.
What a SOC evidences
A SOC produces the operational record: monitoring coverage, alert history, incident timelines, access anomalies, vulnerability findings and remediation. That is the proof the control operated across the period, which is what a Type 2 audit tests. It does not hold policy, training or physical controls.
The SOC 2 reference architecture
The GRC platform holds the trust services criteria and the policy set. The SOC feeds CC6 logical access, CC7 system operations and monitoring, and CC7.3 to CC7.5 incident handling. Evidence exports run monthly into the platform. The MSP owns the readiness assessment, the policy drafting and the auditor relationship.
The ISO 27001 reference architecture
The GRC platform holds the Statement of Applicability and the risk treatment plan. The SOC feeds the A.8 technological controls, chiefly logging, monitoring, malware protection, vulnerability management and network security, plus incident records under A.5. The MSP owns the ISMS, internal audit and management review.
The NIS2 reference architecture
The GRC platform holds the Article 21 measures and the incident reporting obligations. The SOC feeds incident detection and the 24-hour early warning timeline, access control monitoring and third-party access records. The MSP owns supplier due diligence, continuity planning and training.
Where the MSP adds advisory revenue
Three places. Readiness assessment before the platform is bought. The mapping work joining SOC evidence to platform controls, which is billable and recurring. And the audit support engagement, where someone has to answer the auditor's questions with the evidence in hand.
What this takes to set up
Two to three weeks after the SOC is onboarded. The MSP supplies the client's control set and the platform's evidence request list. enhanced.io configures the exports. After that it runs monthly with no manual work.
Compatibility line
enhanced.io exports evidence in formats accepted by the major GRC platforms, including Vanta and Drata.
How do MSPs pair a SOC with a GRC platform for SOC 2, ISO 27001 or NIS2?
The GRC platform holds the control set and audit trail. The SOC feeds it the operational evidence, monitoring, incident and access records, that proves each control operated. enhanced.io exports evidence in formats accepted by the major GRC platforms, including Vanta and Drata.
Next step
To see how this maps to your client estates, book a partnership conversation with Hannah Lloyd at https://meetings.hubspot.com/hannah-lloyd.
