Technology Advisor Blog

A Real-World Wake-Up Call

Last week a 10-person machine shop in the Boston area reached out to us with an urgent challenge. They were eager to win Department of Defense contracts, but there was one major roadblock: compliance. Specifically, they needed to meet CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) standards to even qualify.

Around the same time, another client pursuing SOC 2 compliance came to us because their enterprise customers required proof of cybersecurity before signing contracts. And yesterday, we worked with a client going through a major expansion of their business. As part of their financing process, their bank required a detailed review of their cybersecurity practices. After all, no bank wants to invest in a business that could be wiped out by a ransomware attack.

Three very different businesses. Three very different goals. But the common thread was the same: technology alone wasn’t enough. They needed structure, policies, and documentation to demonstrate their cybersecurity posture. That’s where GRC - Governance, Risk, and Compliance - comes in.

What GRC Really Means (in Plain English)

The term GRC can sound like just another acronym in the world of tech, but it’s actually quite straightforward:

• Governance: How your business makes decisions and sets policies around cybersecurity.

• Risk: Understanding the threats you face -  from ransomware to downtime -  and deciding how to address them.

• Compliance: Meeting external requirements, whether from regulators, contracts, or industry standards.

Here’s the key point: GRC ties it all together. A firewall or MFA app alone can’t keep you compliant. Without documented policies, evidence of training, and clear procedures, your defenses won’t stand up to an audit.

Think of it this way: having a smoke detector is good, but having a fire evacuation plan is what keeps your people safe. GRC is that plan for your business’s cybersecurity.

Why Compliance Is Driving the Conversation

For many small businesses, the push toward GRC comes when contracts - and revenue - are on the line.

• CMMC compliance is becoming a requirement for companies in the defense supply chain. Without it, businesses risk losing government contracts.

• SOC 2 compliance is increasingly demanded by larger enterprise customers before they’ll partner with smaller vendors.

• Banks and lenders are beginning to require cybersecurity reviews before extending financing for growth and expansion.

The stakes are high: miss these requirements, and you could lose out on major growth opportunities.

Compliance requirements are “no longer optional - they’re becoming table stakes for doing business.” Similarly, the CISA - The Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency - warns that small businesses are prime targets for cyberattacks, and compliance frameworks help raise the bar.

Policies, Procedures, and Proof

Here’s where many businesses get stuck: they assume compliance is something a technology provider can “install” for them. We often hear: “Do you have tools that make us compliant with CMMC?”

The answer is yes… and no.

Yes, we provide technology solutions - Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), password management, security awareness training platforms, endpoint detection, firewalls, and more - that are essential building blocks. But compliance also requires policies, procedures, and evidence.

For example, CMMC might ask: Do you provide regular security awareness training to employees?

• The technology: we provide the training platform.

• The policy: you need a written document that states security awareness training is required and how often it will take place.

• The evidence: you need documented records of which employees completed training and when.

Without all three, you’re not audit-ready. A good GRC platform organizes these requirements line by line, making it clear what you’ve done, what’s documented, and what still needs attention.  There may also be specific items where you have documented some risk, or have another compensating control, which is ok if you have clear documentation and when necessary, a plan to improve.

Why GRC Matters Beyond Regulated Industries

Even if your business isn’t subject to CMMC, FTC Safeguards, HIPAA, SEC, or SOC 2 today, GRC still matters. Every small business faces risk:

• Ransomware attacks that lock you out of your systems.

• Employee mistakes that lead to data breaches.

• Downtime that halts operations and damages reputation.

And sometimes, the risks are surprisingly simple. Imagine your entire office loses network access. Could you reach every employee quickly without email? Something as basic as a printed phone list can be a part of your GRC planning.

Planning ahead is always less expensive than responding after the fact. According to WIRED, the cost of cyberattacks on small businesses often comes not just from technical fixes, but from lost business and reputational harm. With GRC, you’re shifting left - preparing before the “boom” of a cyber event.

Real-World Success Stories

We’ve seen this play out in three common scenarios:

• A machine shop preparing for CMMC: By combining technical controls with written policies and evidence on a GRC platform, they are now on track to pass audits and secure valuable government contracts.

• A services company pursuing SOC 2 compliance: To win larger clients, they needed proof of strong cybersecurity practices. By organizing policies and training evidence, they built trust and opened the door to new revenue.

• A growing company expanding into new real estate: When their bank required proof of cybersecurity practices as part of financing, their documented GRC framework gave lenders confidence that the business was resilient.

These businesses didn’t get there overnight. But with the right structure and guidance, they achieved goals that once felt overwhelming.

Empowerment Through Preparation

Here’s the truth: there’s no such thing as 100% security. But that doesn’t mean small businesses are powerless. With a GRC framework in place, you can:

• Dramatically reduce risk.

• Meet compliance requirements with confidence.

• Protect your reputation and revenue.

At Ekaru, we work with businesses every day to combine technology solutions with GRC platforms that make compliance achievable. The result isn’t just passing an audit — it’s building a culture of resilience.

Taking the Next Step

If this all sounds like a lot, don’t worry - it’s achievable. You don’t need to become an expert in GRC frameworks overnight. What you need is a plan, the right tools, and a partner who knows the path.

We’d be happy to have a no-strings attached conversation about where you are today and what steps will move you closer to compliance and resilience.

Because at the end of the day, GRC isn’t just about passing an audit - it’s about protecting the business you’ve worked so hard to build.

Ready to strengthen your security? Contact us at 978-692-4200 or visit Contact Us to schedule your review - there’s no obligation. We’re happy to offer a free 30-minute assessment for any business, so you can understand your risks and options with zero pressure. We’re here to help.

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