Drata setup + integrations + remediation + audit-prep · shipped in 2 to 8 weeks, not 6 months. $100/hr or fixed-scope $4-15K. No partner overhead, no associates. Built by an operator who's actually configured Drata + Vanta + Sprinto + Secureframe + Scrut. Direct line: 858-461-8054.
Every line below is a concrete artifact you'll receive. No "advisory" without shipped configuration.
Workspace setup, framework selection (SOC 2 Type 1 / Type 2 / ISO 27001 / HIPAA / etc.), team roles, owner assignment, baseline policy library customized to your business.
AWS / GCP / Azure / Okta / Google Workspace / Microsoft 365 / GitHub / GitLab / Linear / Jira / 1Password / Vanta-of-the-stack-you-actually-use. Tested, monitored, alerted.
Drata's templates are starting points, not finished products. We rewrite your top 12-15 policies (security, access, vendor, incident response, BCP) for your actual business · not vendor-template generic.
Scan results converted into a prioritized remediation list with named owners and deadlines. Failing controls fixed (or documented as accepted risk with auditor-grade rationale).
Continuous monitoring configured for the controls that drift. Test cycle run before audit so we catch gaps you (and your auditor) would miss in real-time.
Auditor expectations documented, evidence package pre-assembled, common audit-finding patterns named. Mock auditor walkthrough optional but recommended.
Things Drata doesn't do natively · automated vendor-risk scoring, custom evidence collection scripts, integration with non-supported tools via API, dashboards for board-level reporting.
One free follow-up session 30 days after rollout to fix what isn't sticking. Free if engagement was fixed-scope.
Operator honesty: there are 5 situations where SideGuy is the wrong call for Drata work. Naming them upfront so you don't waste a discovery call.
Most "Drata partners" can't recommend a competitor · financial conflict. SideGuy works with all the major vendors, so the recommendation is operator-honest.
You want the broadest auditor recognition, the simplest UI, and you're comfortable with slightly less integration depth. Faster time-to-first-trust-page.
You're EU-headquartered (better GDPR-first defaults), you want lower price-point ($3-8K/yr), or you need rapid multi-framework (SOC 2 + ISO 27001 + GDPR) at startup speed.
You're scaling 50→500 employees fast, need dedicated CSM hand-holding, and your auditor specifically prefers Secureframe's evidence packaging.
You're price-sensitive ($4-7K/yr), want a continuous-control-monitoring focus, and are comfortable with a less-mature US auditor network.
You want the audit firm + the platform from the same vendor (one throat to choke). Less platform flexibility, simpler procurement.
You want the deepest integration catalog, polished audit-prep workflow, and you're scaling on AWS/GCP/Azure with a modern dev stack. Strong default for Series A-C SaaS.
Posted prices because operator-honest means you should know the cost before the discovery call. Drata's license is separate (see comparison below).
For Drata configuration questions, control remediation second-opinion, or scope-uncertain engagements. Tracked in 15-min increments. Invoiced weekly.
Best when: you have a single Drata question or want a few hours of build help.
Drata workspace + 1 framework (SOC 2 Type 1 OR ISO 27001) + integrations + policy library customization. ~2 weeks.
Best when: you've signed up for Drata and need an operator to actually configure it.
Tier 1 + control remediation gap-list + evidence automation testing + audit-prep checklist + auditor-walkthrough rehearsal. ~4 weeks.
Most common engagement. Best when: you're 90 days from a SOC 2 audit and need it ready.
SOC 2 + ISO 27001 + HIPAA in one Drata workspace + custom workflows + board-reporting dashboard. ~6-8 weeks.
Best when: enterprise procurement requires multi-framework, COO-led initiative.
Drata's own license is separate: $7,500-$15,000/yr (typical Series A-B SaaS) or $15,000-$25,000+/yr (multi-framework + 50+ employees). Negotiate hard at renewal · Drata sales will discount 15-25% if you push. Comparison to alternatives: Big-4 SOC 2 readiness consulting starts at $40K-$80K just for the readiness phase (Drata license + audit cost extra). Boutique compliance consultancies $20K-$40K for similar scope. SideGuy structurally cheaper because there's no partner overhead, no associates billing $400/hr.
Week-by-week reality of a typical Tier 2 engagement (setup + audit-prep, $8K, ~4 weeks). Other tiers compress or expand from this baseline.
The 6 questions every prospect asks on the first call. Answered upfront so we can spend the call on your specific situation.
SideGuy: $100/hr or $4K / $8K / $15K fixed-scope. Drata license is separate ($7.5K-$25K/yr). For comparison: Big-4 charges $40K-$80K just for SOC 2 readiness; specialized boutiques $20-40K. SideGuy structurally cheaper · no partner overhead, no associates.
Drata wins on: deeper integrations (200+), better continuous monitoring, more polished audit-prep. Vanta wins on: faster time-to-first-trust-page, slightly cleaner UI, broader auditor brand recognition. For Series A SaaS in 2026, both work · pick on integration fit with your stack. We help you pick BEFORE we configure either.
We work as an independent implementation partner · operator-grade configuration, evidence collection, remediation, audit-prep · without the financial incentive bias of being locked to a single vendor's referral program. If Drata isn't the right fit for your stage / framework / industry, we tell you. That honesty is the moat.
Drata's marketing says "days." Reality: Tier 1 ($4K) is 2 weeks. Tier 2 ($8K) is 4 weeks. Tier 3 ($15K) is 6-8 weeks. The integration setup is fast; the slow part is policy customization, control remediation, and getting your team to actually use the platform. We compress that.
Skip Drata if: you're pre-product-market-fit (use a checklist, not $7K/yr SaaS), you're EU-headquartered and need GDPR-first (consider Sprinto or Scrut), your auditor doesn't accept evidence from automated platforms (rare but exists), or you want a $1K/yr template path (use a starter kit).
Yes · Encinitas-based, NCSD-coastal-first. Most engagements are remote (compliance work doesn't require on-site), but for SD-local clients we'll do in-person kickoff coffee in Encinitas / Solana Beach / Cardiff / Del Mar / Carlsbad / La Jolla on request. PJ has been working with SD operators on compliance, AI implementation, and operational coordination since 2024.
Text PJ a paragraph about your Drata situation (signed up already? still evaluating? mid-implementation and stuck?). We'll reply within a few hours with a yes/no on fit and a recommended tier · no discovery-call gauntlet, no email funnel.
📲 Text PJ · describe your Drata situation 📞 Call 858-461-8054If you're evaluating Drata vs alternatives or want the operator-honest read across the whole compliance ecosystem, these pages map the territory.
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858-461-8054
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858-461-8054
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Text PJ a sentence about what you actually need · I'll build you a free custom shareable on the house. No email, no funnel, no SOW.
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