An Overview on First-Time Compliance

First-time compliance is the foundational stage in any GRC journey. It involves setting up a formal compliance program from scratch—usually prompted by customer demands, investor requirements, or entering a regulated market. This phase includes choosing a framework, implementing baseline policies and controls, assigning responsibilities, and collecting initial evidence for audit readiness. At this stage, most organizations face challenges like unclear scope, missing documentation, and manual processes. The goal isn’t to achieve perfection, but to establish a functional, auditable compliance system that meets minimum viable expectations and builds a strong base for future maturity.