How to use ISMS Copilot with Probo

Overview

Probo is a hands-off compliance service that handles the entire compliance journey for startups and small businesses. Unlike traditional GRC platforms that provide tools for you to manage compliance, Probo acts as your dedicated compliance team—creating tailored checklists, managing documentation, coordinating with auditors, and maintaining your compliance program on your behalf. ISMS Copilot complements Probo by giving you direct access to specialized compliance expertise for strategic decisions, technical implementation guidance, and day-to-day questions that arise between Probo's structured deliverables.

Who This Is For

This guide is for:

• Startups and small businesses working with Probo who want instant compliance expertise without waiting for consultant calls

• Technical teams implementing controls based on Probo's guidance who need detailed implementation support

• CTOs and founders managing Probo engagements who want to understand compliance requirements deeply before decisions

• Organizations preparing for or maintaining certifications through Probo who want real-time guidance on emerging questions

How Probo and ISMS Copilot Work Together

What Probo Does Best

Probo excels at taking compliance completely off your plate with a hands-off, service-driven approach:

• Tailored compliance roadmap: Probo creates a customized compliance checklist specific to your business model, technology stack, and certification goals—no generic templates or irrelevant controls

• Full-service documentation: Probo's team creates all required documents (policies, procedures, risk assessments, inventories) tailored to your actual operations, not templated fluff

• Auditor coordination: Probo finds the right independent auditor for your organization, manages the audit relationship, and handles audit requests on your behalf

• Ongoing compliance management: After certification, Probo maintains your compliance program proactively, so you stay certified without dedicating internal resources

• Open-source transparency: Probo is open-source with no vendor lock-in, giving you full visibility into compliance processes and the freedom to transition if needed

• Multi-framework expertise: Supports SOC 2, ISO 27001, ISO 42001, ISO 27701, GDPR, and HIPAA depending on your business needs

• Startup-friendly approach: Designed specifically for companies that need compliance for customer contracts but lack dedicated security teams

Where ISMS Copilot Adds Value

ISMS Copilot complements Probo's service-driven approach with instant, on-demand compliance expertise for the moments between structured engagements:

1. Technical Implementation Guidance

Probo tells you what controls you need; ISMS Copilot helps you understand how to implement them in your specific environment:

• Technology-specific implementation: "Probo identified that I need encryption at rest for ISO 27001 A.8.24. I use AWS RDS and S3—what specific configurations should I enable to meet this requirement?"

• Architecture decisions: "I need to implement least privilege access controls. We're choosing between AWS IAM roles and a third-party PAM solution—what are the compliance implications of each approach for SOC 2?"

• Tool selection support: "Probo requires vulnerability scanning. Should I use AWS Inspector, Snyk, or a commercial tool like Qualys for ISO 27001 A.12.6.1 compliance?"

• Configuration validation: "I've configured GitHub branch protection and automated testing per Probo's change management requirements. Does this configuration satisfy SOC 2 CC8.1?"

2. Real-Time Question Answering

Probo provides structured deliverables and scheduled touchpoints, but questions arise constantly:

• Instant clarification: "What exactly does ISO 27001 A.5.15 'access control' mean in practice for our cloud-native architecture?"

• Scope questions: "Does our ISO 27001 certification scope need to include our internal admin dashboard, or can we limit it to customer-facing systems?"

• Requirement interpretation: "Probo's checklist says 'document backup procedures.' What level of detail do ISO 27001 auditors expect here?"

• Edge case guidance: "We have one legacy system that can't support MFA. How should we document this exception for SOC 2 compliance?"

3. Strategic Planning and Decision Support

Probo guides your compliance journey, but strategic decisions require understanding trade-offs:

• Framework selection: "We need compliance for healthcare customers. Should we pursue HIPAA, ISO 27001, or both? What's the right sequencing?"

• Timeline planning: "Probo's timeline shows 4 months to ISO 27001 certification. What are realistic milestones, and where do companies typically encounter delays?"

• Scope definition: "We have three products with different technology stacks. Should we certify all products together or pursue separate certifications?"

• Investment prioritization: "Which security investments provide the most compliance value for both SOC 2 and ISO 27001?"

4. Policy and Documentation Review

Probo creates your policies, but you may want to understand or enhance them:

• Policy understanding: Upload Probo-created policy and ask: "Explain the key requirements in this Information Security Policy and why each section matters for ISO 27001"

• Industry-specific additions: "Probo created our baseline policies. What additional requirements should we add for a fintech company regulated by financial authorities?"

• Internal procedures: "This Incident Response Policy covers what we need to do, but our team needs more operational detail. What step-by-step procedures should we add?"

• Multi-framework alignment: "We're maintaining both SOC 2 and ISO 27001 through Probo. How should we structure policies to avoid redundant documentation?"

5. Audit Preparation and Response

Probo manages the audit relationship, but you'll still face auditor questions:

• Mock audit practice: "Generate 20 likely ISO 27001 Stage 2 audit questions for a cloud-native SaaS company so I can prepare responses"

• Question interpretation: "The auditor asked 'How do you ensure data segregation between customers?' What are they really asking, and what evidence should I provide?"

• Technical evidence preparation: "What specific AWS configuration screenshots or logs should I prepare to demonstrate encryption at rest compliance?"

• Control effectiveness demonstration: "Beyond our documented procedures, what additional evidence proves our access control is working effectively?"

6. Ongoing Compliance Maintenance

Probo maintains your compliance program, but you need to understand what's required:

• Change impact assessment: "We're migrating from AWS to Google Cloud. What compliance documentation needs to be updated, and what evidence should we collect during migration?"

• New control implementation: "We're launching a new product feature that processes payment data. What new controls or documentation does this require for SOC 2?"

• Continuous improvement: "What are the most common findings in ISO 27001 surveillance audits, and how can we proactively address them?"

• Incident response guidance: "We experienced a security incident. What documentation and notification requirements exist for ISO 27001 and SOC 2?"

7. Team Education and Knowledge Building

Probo handles compliance, but building internal knowledge creates long-term value:

• Framework education: "Explain the difference between SOC 2 Type I and Type II, and what the 6-month observation period means for our timeline"

• Control understanding: "Why do we need quarterly access reviews for ISO 27001, and what should these reviews include?"

• Risk management concepts: "How should we think about risk assessment for a SaaS company? What are typical risk scenarios we should document?"

• Compliance fundamentals: "What's the difference between ISO 27001 certification and SOC 2 attestation, and why do different customers prefer each?"

Common Workflows Combining Both Tools

Workflow 1: Technical Control Implementation

Scenario: Probo's checklist requires implementing specific security controls.

1. In Probo engagement: Receive tailored compliance checklist identifying required controls (e.g., "Implement encryption at rest, enable MFA, configure logging")

2. In ISMS Copilot: Get implementation guidance: "I need to implement encryption at rest for AWS RDS and S3 to meet ISO 27001 A.8.24. What specific configurations are required?"

3. In ISMS Copilot: Validate approach: "Does AWS KMS encryption meet ISO 27001 and SOC 2 requirements, or do I need additional controls?"

4. Implementation: Configure systems based on ISMS Copilot's specific technical guidance

5. Back to Probo: Report completion; Probo documents implementation and prepares evidence for audit

Workflow 2: Strategic Framework Selection

Scenario: You're deciding which compliance frameworks to pursue.

1. In ISMS Copilot: Explore options: "We need compliance for enterprise healthcare customers. What are the differences between ISO 27001, SOC 2, HIPAA, and HITRUST? Which should we prioritize?"

2. In ISMS Copilot: Understand requirements: "What security controls and documentation are required for each framework, and how much overlap exists?"

3. Decision: Choose frameworks based on customer requirements and ISMS Copilot's guidance

4. Engage Probo: Work with Probo's team to initiate compliance program for selected frameworks

5. Ongoing: Use ISMS Copilot for technical questions while Probo manages the compliance program

Workflow 3: Audit Preparation

Scenario: Your ISO 27001 certification audit is approaching.

1. In Probo engagement: Probo coordinates with auditor, prepares documentation, and briefs you on the audit process

2. In ISMS Copilot: Prepare for questions: "Generate 25 likely ISO 27001 Stage 2 audit questions for a cloud-native SaaS company"

3. In ISMS Copilot: Practice responses: "The auditor might ask about our encryption implementation. What technical details should I be prepared to discuss?"

4. In ISMS Copilot: Evidence review: "What evidence should I have ready to demonstrate our quarterly access reviews are effective?"

5. During audit: Probo manages auditor relationship; use ISMS Copilot for real-time question interpretation if needed

6. Post-audit: Probo addresses findings; use ISMS Copilot for remediation implementation guidance

Workflow 4: Policy Understanding and Enhancement

Scenario: Probo delivers your compliance policies and you want to understand them deeply.

1. In Probo engagement: Receive tailored policies created by Probo's team

2. In ISMS Copilot: Upload policy: "Explain the key requirements in this Access Control Policy and why each section is necessary for ISO 27001"

3. In ISMS Copilot: Identify enhancements: "Are there additional industry best practices we should add to this policy for a B2B SaaS company?"

4. Discussion with Probo: Share enhancement ideas with Probo's team for incorporation into policies

5. Internal training: Use ISMS Copilot's explanations to train team members on policy requirements

Workflow 5: Technology Change Management

Scenario: You're making a significant technology change while maintaining compliance.

1. Planning phase: Decide to migrate from AWS to Google Cloud

2. In ISMS Copilot: Impact assessment: "We're migrating to Google Cloud. What compliance documentation needs updating, and what new evidence is required for ISO 27001?"

3. In ISMS Copilot: Control mapping: "How do Google Cloud security controls compare to AWS for SOC 2 requirements? Are there gaps we need to address?"

4. Implementation: Execute migration with compliance requirements in mind

5. Notify Probo: Inform Probo of infrastructure changes; they update documentation and prepare updated evidence for next audit

Practical Examples

Example 1: MFA Implementation

Situation: Probo's checklist requires implementing MFA across all systems.

Ask ISMS Copilot: "I need to implement MFA for SOC 2 and ISO 27001. We use Google Workspace, AWS, GitHub, and Slack. What specific MFA configurations are required for each platform to meet compliance requirements?"

ISMS Copilot guidance: Provides platform-specific implementation steps, explains which MFA methods meet requirements (authenticator apps vs. SMS), identifies exceptions handling for API access, and clarifies what documentation is needed.

Example 2: Framework Comparison

Situation: Deciding between SOC 2 and ISO 27001 for first certification.

Ask ISMS Copilot: "We're a B2B SaaS company selling to US enterprises. Should we pursue SOC 2 or ISO 27001 first? What are the practical differences in requirements, cost, and customer perception?"

ISMS Copilot guidance: Explains that US customers typically prefer SOC 2, details the 6-month observation period requirement, compares documentation and evidence expectations, and helps you make an informed decision before engaging Probo.

Example 3: Change Management Control

Situation: Implementing change management processes required by Probo.

Ask ISMS Copilot: "Probo requires implementing change management for SOC 2 CC8.1. We use GitHub and deploy via CI/CD with GitHub Actions. What specific controls should we implement to meet this requirement?"

ISMS Copilot guidance: Specifies GitHub branch protection rules, pull request approval requirements, automated testing gates, deployment approval processes, and rollback procedures that satisfy the control requirement.

Example 4: Incident Response Planning

Situation: Probo created your Incident Response Policy, and you need to implement procedures.

Ask ISMS Copilot: "Review this Incident Response Policy and tell me what operational procedures our team needs to follow during an actual security incident. What are the step-by-step actions?"

ISMS Copilot guidance: Translates policy requirements into tactical incident response runbook, identifies roles and responsibilities, specifies notification timelines, and provides communication templates.

When to Use Each Tool

Integration Best Practices

1. Use ISMS Copilot Before Implementation

• Preview requirements: When you receive Probo's checklist, use ISMS Copilot to understand technical details before making architecture decisions

• Validate approaches: Ask ISMS Copilot whether your planned implementation will satisfy requirements before investing development time

• Identify dependencies: Use ISMS Copilot to understand control dependencies and implementation sequencing

2. Bridge Communication Gaps

• Instant clarification: Instead of waiting for scheduled Probo calls, get immediate answers to tactical questions

• Technical translation: Use ISMS Copilot to translate Probo's compliance requirements into specific technical configurations

• Deeper understanding: Build internal knowledge about why requirements exist, not just what needs to be done

3. Enhance Strategic Decision-Making

• Informed discussions: Use ISMS Copilot to research options before strategic calls with Probo's team

• Compare alternatives: Explore trade-offs between different frameworks, tools, or implementation approaches

• Long-term planning: Understand multi-year compliance roadmaps and how certifications build on each other

4. Build Internal Compliance Knowledge

• Team education: Use ISMS Copilot to educate engineering and product teams about compliance requirements

• Policy understanding: Help teams understand the "why" behind Probo-created policies, increasing compliance culture

• Continuous learning: Build organizational compliance maturity while Probo handles operational execution

Cost and Resource Considerations

Investment Overview

• Probo: Full-service compliance with pricing based on frameworks and company complexity; designed for startups and small businesses seeking done-for-you approach

• ISMS Copilot: Specialized compliance AI starting at $20/month individual or team plans for organizations

Combined Value Proposition

Organizations using both Probo and ISMS Copilot report:

• Faster implementation: Technical teams get immediate implementation guidance without waiting for consultant availability

• Better architectural decisions: Understanding compliance implications early prevents costly rework

• Reduced back-and-forth: Fewer clarifying questions to Probo's team because ISMS Copilot handles tactical queries

• Stronger compliance culture: Team members understand requirements deeply, not just following checklists

• Strategic confidence: Make framework selection and scoping decisions with deep understanding of implications

Limitations and Boundaries

What This Combination Doesn't Replace

• External auditors: You still need independent auditors for SOC 2, ISO 27001 certification (Probo coordinates this)

• Service delivery: ISMS Copilot provides expertise, not done-for-you service like Probo offers

• Documentation creation: Probo creates your compliance documentation; ISMS Copilot helps you understand and enhance it

• Ongoing monitoring: Probo proactively maintains compliance; ISMS Copilot provides on-demand expertise

When You Might Need Additional Support

• Highly complex environments: Multi-national operations with varied regulations may require additional specialized consultants

• Regulated industry nuances: Certain industries (financial services, healthcare) may need industry-specific compliance advisors

• Legal interpretation: Complex regulatory questions may require compliance attorneys

• Custom frameworks: Proprietary customer security frameworks may need specialized consultant guidance

Getting Started

If You're Already Working with Probo

1. Identify knowledge gaps: What technical questions arise as you implement Probo's checklist items?

2. Try implementation guidance: Next time you receive a control requirement from Probo, ask ISMS Copilot for specific technical implementation steps

3. Review policies: Upload a Probo-created policy to ISMS Copilot and ask for an explanation to deepen your understanding

4. Prepare for audit: Use ISMS Copilot to generate practice audit questions before your certification audit

5. Evaluate value: Track how often ISMS Copilot provides immediate answers vs. waiting for next Probo touchpoint

If You're Evaluating Both Services

1. Start with Probo: Probo provides the comprehensive compliance service—roadmap, documentation, audit coordination, ongoing maintenance

2. Add ISMS Copilot for expertise: Layer on ISMS Copilot for technical implementation guidance, real-time questions, and strategic understanding

3. Define integration workflow: Establish when you use each tool to maximize efficiency in your compliance journey

What's Next

• Welcome to ISMS Copilot - Get started with ISMS Copilot

• Organizing Work with Workspaces - Create framework-specific workspaces for organized guidance

• How to Create ISO 27001 Policies Using AI - Understand and enhance Probo-created policies

• How to Conduct ISO 27001 Gap Analysis Using ISMS Copilot - Supplement Probo's roadmap with detailed framework analysis

• How to Prepare for SOC 2 Audit Using ISMS Copilot - Prepare for audits with AI-generated scenarios and guidance

Getting Help

Questions about using ISMS Copilot alongside Probo?

• Contact ISMS Copilot support for guidance on integrating AI expertise with Probo's service

• Join the ISMS Copilot community to connect with other startups using both services

• Check the Help Center for workflow templates and integration best practices