Have your own auditor: Test your controls at will

For years, the rhythm of Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) has been dictated by audit season – a period of intense preparation, frantic evidence gathering, and anxious waiting. But what if you could break free from this cycle? What if you could shift from reacting to audits to proactively managing risk and demonstrating compliance, whenever needed? The answer lies in AI-powered on-demand testing, a powerful evolution of the audit readiness concept.

The Limitations of Traditional GRC Approaches

Traditionally, GRC has been a periodic exercise. Organizations invest significant resources in annual or bi-annual audits, often relying on manual processes, spreadsheets, and limited sampling to assess control effectiveness. This approach has several shortcomings. It provides a snapshot in time or retrospective view, failing to reflect the dynamic nature of modern risk landscapes. It’s resource intensive, diverting valuable personnel from strategic initiatives. And crucially, it leaves organizations vulnerable between audit cycles, potentially exposing them to undetected vulnerabilities and compliance gaps. 

Introducing AI-Powered On-Demand Testing 

AI-powered on-demand testing flips the script. Rather than waiting for a scheduled audit, you can initiate targeted control tests at any time, receiving near-instantaneous reports on your compliance and risk posture. This isn't merely about automating existing processes; it’s about leveraging artificial intelligence to fundamentally change how you assess and validate controls.

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Imagine an AI agent, functioning as a virtual GRC analyst, continuously collecting evidence and able to execute on-demand control tests. This agent, primed with your GRC artifacts – risks, policies, controls, and evidence – connects to systems like your cloud platforms, vulnerability scanners, and ticketing systems. It establishes linkages between these elements, understanding which risks a policy mitigates, which controls implement that policy, and what evidence proves those controls are working.

How It Works: From Procedure to Automated Validation

The power of on-demand testing lies in its ability to translate control procedures into automated validation. Let’s consider a Disaster Recovery (DR) test. Traditionally, this would involve manually reviewing protocols and chasing down evidence. With AI, the process is streamlined:

1. The DR test result is pulled from the DevOps documents repository. Alternatively, a ticket is created and assigned to the person, responsible for the test procedure, asking for the document. When the document is attached to the ticket, the AI agent will pull it and assign it to the correct control.  
2. When a control test is initiated the AI agent automatically extracts the details of the DR test procedure and starts executing the control test procedure, written in a natural language - the same one your auditor would use to test the control
3. The AI agent combines the policy requirements, the control description, and systems within your Configuration Management Database (CMDB) that are subject to the test.
4. It cross-references the test results (from the deep semantic examination of the report) against defined Recovery Time Objective (RTO) and Recovery Point Objective (RPO) requirements.
5. It flags issues like outdated tests, missing systems, or failures to meet RTO/RPO targets
6. Finally, it makes a determination, based on the control test procedure, if the control performed or not and prepares recommendations for any outstanding issues
7. If it determines that the control failed the Agent will notify the owner and create a ticket with recommendations on how to fix the issue

This goes beyond simple data extraction. The AI understands the context of the test, interpreting results within the framework of your business requirements. This contextual awareness is the key to accurate and actionable insights.

From On-Demand to Continuous Control Monitoring

On-demand testing provides immediate value, enabling you to respond quickly to emerging risks and demonstrate compliance to stakeholders. However, the true potential is unlocked when you transition to Continuous Control Monitoring (CCM). By automating tests and running them on a scheduled basis – daily, weekly, or monthly, or based on an event – you create a perpetually validated GRC posture. 

This continuous approach offers several benefits:

• Reduced Risk: By identifying and remediating issues in a timely manner, you minimize the potential for breaches and compliance violations.
• Improved Efficiency: Automation frees up GRC resources to focus on strategic initiatives.
• Enhanced Visibility: Real-time dashboards provide a comprehensive view of your risk and compliance landscape.
• Lower Costs: Real-time compliance reporting can reduce labor costs, in some cases by up to 30%. 

The Benefits of Proactive GRC

The shift toward AI-powered on-demand testing and continuous control monitoring is not just a technological advancement; it's a fundamental change in the way organizations approach GRC. By moving beyond reactive audits and embracing a proactive, AI-assisted approach, you can: 

• Strengthen your security posture.
• Reduce the likelihood of costly breaches and fines.
• Improve operational efficiency.
• Demonstrate compliance with confidence.

Ready to move beyond audit season and embrace the power of real-time GRC? Schedule a demo with Trustero today and discover how our AI-enabled platform can transform your compliance program.