GRC stands for Governance, Risk and Compliance. It is an integrated approach that aligns an organization's governance structures, risk management processes and regulatory compliance activities into a single coordinated framework.

A GRC framework is a structured methodology that connects governance policies, risk management processes and compliance obligations so that organizations can manage them efficiently. It provides visibility into how risks, regulations and business objectives interact, helping leadership make informed decisions and avoid duplication of effort across compliance programs.

ISO 27001 (information security) and ISO 9001 (quality management) are the most widely pursued certifications in India. Technology companies serving international clients also commonly need SOC 2 attestation and CMMI appraisals. Organizations using AI systems should consider ISO 42001, and those handling personal data need to align with the DPDPA 2023.

Timeline varies by certification and organizational readiness. ISO 27001 typically takes 8 to 16 weeks. ISO 9001 takes 6 to 12 weeks. CMMI Level 3 appraisals take 12 to 20 weeks. Organizations with existing management systems or those pursuing integrated certifications can often accelerate these timelines.

Yes. Univate specializes in integrated management systems that address multiple certifications through shared policies and controls. ISO 27001, ISO 9001, ISO 27701, ISO 42001 and ISO 22301 all share the same Annex SL high-level structure, which means a single integrated system can satisfy all of them with significantly less duplication.

ISO 27001 is a certifiable international standard for information security management. SOC 2 is an attestation framework based on the AICPA Trust Services Criteria. ISO 27001 is recognized globally, while SOC 2 is primarily required by US-based clients. Many Indian IT and SaaS companies pursue both. The controls overlap significantly, so an integrated approach reduces total effort.

The Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDPA) 2023 applies to every organization that processes digital personal data of Indian citizens, regardless of size or industry. While enforcement rules are still being finalized, organizations should begin compliance preparation now. ISO 27701 provides a structured framework that maps directly to DPDPA requirements.

CMMI (Capability Maturity Model Integration) is a process improvement framework that assesses and improves software development and service delivery maturity. Indian IT companies, software product firms, defense contractors and organizations bidding on government contracts commonly pursue CMMI Level 3 or Level 5 appraisals.

Cost depends on the scope of certifications, organizational size and complexity. A single ISO certification for a startup typically ranges from INR 2,50,000 to INR 4,50,000. Mid-size organizations pursuing integrated certifications typically invest INR 5,00,000 to INR 12,00,000. Enterprise programs with multiple frameworks and locations are priced based on scope. Contact us for a detailed quote.

Yes. Certification requires ongoing maintenance, including surveillance audits (typically annual), continual improvement activities and management reviews. Univate provides post-certification support to help organizations maintain their certifications, prepare for surveillance audits and expand their management systems as business needs evolve.

Univate serves technology and SaaS companies, banks and financial institutions, healthcare organizations, manufacturers, government agencies, startups and any organization that needs structured governance, risk management and compliance support. See our industries page for more detail.

Univate has offices in Bengaluru (corporate headquarters), Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi NCR and Bhubaneswar. We also have international offices in UAE, Saudi Arabia, Philippines, South Africa, Vietnam, Singapore and Malaysia. Learn more about our locations.