The DPDP Act is now in force — see what compliance actually involves →
Cybersecurity · Compliance · Audit
Know what you need,
Know what you need,
what it should cost,
and who should deliver it.
Regulation-driven security is fragmented, inconsistently scoped and opaquely priced. We make the whole decision legible.
Buyer decision map● live
DPDP
ISO 27001
Audit
SOC 2
Pick a standard to trace its path from requirement to matched provider.
Start here
What brought you here?
Pick your situation. Each path leads into the right requirement, scope, cost and provider journey.
The problem
The same requirement, three different answers
Vendor A
Proposal · "Penetration test"
ScopeExternal web only
MethodAutomated scan
RetestNone
$ · low
Vendor B
Proposal · "Penetration test"
ScopeWeb + API + auth
MethodManual exploit
Retest1 included
$$$ · high
Vendor C
Proposal · "Security review"
ScopeConfig checklist
MethodInterview + docs
RetestN/A
$$ · mid
Why buyers can't compare
Three firms, one need — and three incomparable proposals. The labels match; the scope, method and price don't.
- Fragmented → different firm types sell the same work under different names.
- Inconsistent → "penetration test" spans a manual exploit and an automated scan.
- Opaque → several-fold price variance for what looks like the same thing.
We normalise the scope so a quote becomes readable — one requirement, compared like for like.
The landscape
Compliance & audit, mapped
From the standard that applies, to the action it requires, to the kind of provider who delivers it.
Standards DPDP · ISO 27001 / 42001 · SOC 2 · PCI DSS
→ Actions gap assessment · implementation · audit / certification
→ Providers vCISO / DPO · GRC consultant · pen-test firm · auditor / QSA
→ Actions gap assessment · implementation · audit / certification
→ Providers vCISO / DPO · GRC consultant · pen-test firm · auditor / QSA
Cost intelligence
Understand what drives the cost
There's no fixed rate card. A handful of factors move every quote — pick a requirement to see what drives it and roughly where it lands.
| Requirement | Typical scope | What drives the price | Cost guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISO 27001 | Readiness → implementation → cert | Company size, ISMS maturity, controls in scope | In progress |
| Penetration test | Web / API / infrastructure | Asset count, test depth, retest included | In progress |
| SOC 2 | Readiness + Type I / II audit | Control scope, systems in scope, auditor | Cost guide → |
| DPDP / DPO | Gap → implementation → DPO cover | Data volume, entities, ongoing vs one-time | Cost guide → |
| PCI DSS | Scoping → remediation → QSA | SAQ vs ROC, cardholder-data environment | In progress |
Sourcing
From a brief to three real matches
Tell us the requirement; we return a short, explained shortlist — matched on fit, not availability.
Buyer briefredacted
RequirementDPDP readiness
SectorFinTech
GeographyIndia
Size50–250
Timeline8–10 weeks
→matched on fit
Provider 01
DPO-as-a-service · privacy engineering
High
fit
Provider 02
GRC consultancy · BFSI focus
High
fit
Provider 03
Boutique privacy + security advisory
Med
fit
Context
The regulatory layer driving demand
Two regions, distinct frameworks, real sector pressure — the triggers behind most requirements we see.
Research
Decision resources, led by original research
From the blog
View all posts →
Latest analysis & guides
DPDP
What is India's DPDP Act — the new data privacy law
DPDPDPDP Act consent management guide 2026
ComparisonGDPR vs India's DPDP Act — the key differences
CostSOC 2 certification cost for companies in India
vCISOWhat is a vCISO and how it strengthens SMB security
ProvidersCERT-In empanelled penetration testing companies in India
Start here
Start with the requirement, not the vendor.
Requirement→Scope→Price→Matched provider
Tell Us What You Need
Free for buyers · provider-funded introductions
FAQ
Questions buyers ask us
Straight answers on cost, matching and how the platform works.
Is ZCybersecurity free to use?
Yes — it's free for buyers. You can scope your requirement, understand cost drivers and get matched with providers at no charge. Introductions are provider-funded, not paid by you.
What does ISO 27001, SOC 2 or DPDP compliance actually cost?
There's no fixed rate card. Cost is driven by your company size, the scope of systems and controls, auditor choice and whether you need one-time or ongoing cover. Our cost guides break down the ranges and what moves them for each requirement.
How does provider matching work?
You share a short brief — requirement, sector, geography, size and timeline. We return a small, explained shortlist matched on fit rather than availability, so you can compare like for like instead of chasing quotes.
Which regulations and regions do you cover?
India — DPDP, RBI, SEBI and CERT-In. Middle East — SAMA, NESA, ADHICS and PDPL. Most requirements we see are triggered by one of these frameworks across BFSI, FinTech, healthcare and SaaS.
Do you cover audits and penetration testing?
Yes. Alongside compliance and certification we help scope and source security audits, gap assessments and penetration testing, including CERT-In-aligned testing for India.
How quickly can I get a shortlist?
Most briefs come back with a matched shortlist within a few working days, depending on the requirement and how specific the scope is.