Top 5 Signs It’s Time for Your Business to Get Compliant

Table of Contents

1. Your Competitors Are Getting Certified

2. You’re Entering New Markets or Growing Fast

3. New or Upcoming Laws Could Affect You

4. You’re Handling More Data or Sensitive Information

5. You Want to Attract Bigger Clients or Investors

6. FAQs: Common Questions About “When” to Get Compliant

Your Competitors Are Getting Certified

You notice that your competitors are starting to advertise their SOC 2, ISO 27001, or CMMC certification and suddenly, you start wondering: Are we behind? 

Studying your competitors is definitely an interesting exercise and an important one to do. But make sure you approach this with caution and set aside the time to analyze your findings.

Keep in mind that compliance can create a competitive advantage. It signals trust, maturity, and operational readiness , especially in B2B environments.  But just because your competitors are getting certified doesn’t mean you should rush to follow blindly. Some companies pursue compliance before they have the internal structure to maintain it , and it becomes a burden instead of an asset.

A better move is to research why competitors are getting certified. If their client base or industry requires it and yours doesn’t (yet), start by aligning your internal practices , not necessarily jumping straight into a certification.

Tip:
Don’t treat competitors as compliance checkboxes , treat them as trend indicators. Ask yourself:

• What certifications do they have, and why?

• Are their clients asking for proof of compliance?

• How might their certification change their access to deals, partnerships, or markets?

If your competition is making compliance part of their story, it might be time to make it part of yours too.

You’re Entering New Markets or Growing Fast

You’re planning to expand into new states, industries, or countries. You’re adding more staff, handling more data, or integrating new systems.

Growth is great, but it amplifies risk. What worked for a 5-person startup might not cut it when you’re a 50-person company, and even less when you reach 500 employees. Without a compliance framework, policies, and controls in place, scaling securely becomes a guessing game.

Tip:
Before your next big leap, ask:

• How will growth impact data security and privacy?

• Are there new regulations in the regions or sectors we’re moving into?

• Will we need formal policies for onboarding, data handling, or device management?

Compliance frameworks (like SOC 2 or ISO 27001) scale with you. Building them early ensures that as you grow, you don’t outgrow your security posture.

New or Upcoming Laws Could Affect You

You start hearing about new cybersecurity regulations , like CMMC for contractors doing business with the Department of Defense, or state privacy laws like California’s CPRA.

Laws evolve fast. And even if you’re not directly regulated yet, that might change as you expand or take on new clients. Getting compliant before it’s mandatory can save you from costly last-minute scrambles and give you a smoother path into regulated markets.

Tip:
Keep an eye on what’s happening in your industry or supply chain. Not every new law applies to you. verify applicability before jumping in. Talk to a compliance advisor or legal contact to confirm whether the law affects your operations today or only after you cross a certain threshold (revenue, contract type, data category).

If your partners, clients, or competitors start referencing a compliance framework, that’s a clue.

Be proactive instead of reactive , it’s always cheaper and less stressful to build compliance intentionally than under deadline pressure.

You’re Handling More Data or Sensitive Information

Scenario: You’ve started collecting more customer data, integrating APIs, or using multiple SaaS platforms. Maybe you’re managing health information, financial details, or employee data.

Why it matters: The more data you collect, the more attractive you become to attackers , and the more responsibility you have to protect it. A single misconfigured system or weak password policy can put your entire business at risk.

Tip:
Ask yourself:

• What type of data are we collecting, and who has access to it?

• Do we have documented policies for handling and storing it?

• Are we using tools that meet industry standards for encryption, access control, and monitoring?

If the answers make you uneasy, that’s your sign. Compliance frameworks help standardize how data is managed, so everyone follows the same security baseline.

Note: You don’t need a heavy framework if you’re only handling minimal, non-sensitive data (like basic marketing info). Start small, adopt good security hygiene (like MFA, backups, least privilege access). That way, if your data footprint expands, you’ve already built a strong foundation. Brandon explains it perfectly in the following clip (just 60 seconds!):

You Want to Attract Bigger Clients or Investors

You’re pitching larger clients or seeking funding. The conversations start to shift from features and pricing to risk , “How do you protect customer data?” or “Do you have a security policy?”

Compliance demonstrates operational maturity and lowers perceived risk. It reassures clients, investors, and partners that your business can handle sensitive data responsibly , a major trust factor in B2B sales.

Tip:
If your growth strategy depends on enterprise deals, government contracts, or investor trust, a compliance framework isn’t optional , it’s foundational. Think of it as credibility insurance for your next stage of growth.

FAQs: Common Questions About When to Get Compliant

Q: How early is “too early” to start?
A: It’s never too early to start thinking about compliance , but it’s too late once a client or regulator asks for proof. Start small: map your data, define policies, and choose a framework aligned with your goals.

Q: Can compliance slow down my growth?
A: Done right, it actually accelerates it. Compliance builds structure and repeatable processes, which help you scale efficiently and confidently.

Q: What if my competitors aren’t compliant yet?
A: That’s fine, for now. But if you want to win larger, more security-conscious clients, being first to show compliance can become your competitive advantage.

Q: How do I know which framework to pursue?
A: It depends on your industry, client base, and growth goals. SOC 2 and ISO 27001 are common starting points. If you’re in defense contracting, CMMC is essential. A compliance expert (like us at BEMO) can help you choose the right fit.

Check out our article Which Compliance Framework is Best for My Business to get started. 

Whether you’re watching competitors move, eyeing new markets, or anticipating new laws, these signals all point to one truth: the best time to get compliant is before you have to.

So take a step back and ask: What is my business telling me right now?
If you’re seeing two or more of these signs, it’s probably time to make compliance part of your growth strategy.