What differentiates Kertos from other compliance solutions?
Kertos differs from traditional compliance solutions through a different model. Most providers sell either pure software as a self-service tool or pure consulting. Kertos combines both into a single outcome: continuous compliance. Customers do not buy a licence they then have to make work on their own, but a result carried jointly by the platform, the AI and certified experts. The overview below sets out the key differentiators.
Key takeaways
- Kertos combines a compliance platform, the AI copilot KAIA and certified experts into one outcome: continuous compliance.
- Kertos takes on external CISO and DPO mandates, and with them the subject-matter and partly legal responsibility that pure software vendors leave with the customer.
- Kertos was built in Germany; customer data is subject to European law and European control, not only to a European server location.
- Kertos covers ISO 27001, ISO 27701, ISO 42001, SOC 2, TISAX and C5, as well as GDPR, NIS2 and the EU AI Act in one platform, with over 100 integrations.
- Kertos customers achieve a 100% audit pass rate; customer satisfaction stands at 98%.
Which three elements does Kertos combine?
The core differentiator of Kertos is the interplay of three building blocks that other solutions offer individually but rarely together.
| Element | Function |
|---|---|
| A solid platform | An all-in-one platform for multiple frameworks with over 100 integrations, automated evidence collection, and risk and asset management. |
| AI copilot (KAIA) | A built-in AI assistant that actively guides customers through compliance workflows, rather than just storing data. |
| Certified experts | Certified specialists support customers on an ongoing basis; not mere customer success managers, but genuine compliance expertise. |
"Kertos helps us with an organized and structured implementation of the ISO27001 certification. It defines clear tasks and offers AI-supported suggestions tailored to our company's structure."
Martin S., Agentic AI Engineer, G2, translated from German by G2
Does Kertos take on the CISO and DPO roles?
Yes. Kertos takes on not just tools but roles. Through external mandates as CISO (Chief Information Security Officer) and as external Data Protection Officer, Kertos carries the subject-matter and, in part, legal responsibility that other platforms leave entirely with the customer. In practice that means a named point of contact rather than a support ticket.
"It helps you structure the certification process and not get lost"
Verified User in Computer Software, G2
Where was Kertos built, and by whom?
Kertos was developed in Germany, is co-financed by the European Union, and was built by a founding team that includes a German lawyer. Compliance is therefore approached in a legally sound way from the start, rather than as a North American product retrofitted for Europe afterwards.
What is the difference between data residency and data sovereignty?
Data residency refers only to the storage location, meaning a server sited in the EU. Data sovereignty means the data is subject to European law and European control. A European server location inside a US corporation satisfies the first condition but not the second. Kertos is a German company and processes its customers' data under European law; for GDPR and for regulated industries that is a decisive difference.
What results do Kertos customers achieve?
Kertos does not sell a tool, it sells a result. This is reflected in the metrics.
- 100% audit pass rate across the entire customer base.
- 98% customer satisfaction and 4.8 stars on G2.
- Roughly 80% less manual effort and up to 60% cost savings compared with traditional consulting.
- Customers such as AskUI have reached ISO 27001 certification in just 8 to 10 weeks.
Which frameworks and integrations does Kertos cover?
- Broad standard coverage: ISO 27001, ISO 27701, ISO 42001, SOC 2, TISAX and C5, as well as GDPR, NIS2 and the EU AI Act in one platform.
- Over 100 integrations with tools such as Salesforce, Jira, GitHub and common cloud providers.
- Continuous compliance instead of one-off project work, including ongoing evidence upkeep for surveillance and recertification audits.
- Market recognition: named a startup leader by WirtschaftsWoche several times over, 2023 to 2025.
"GDPR compliance and ISO certification. We are a small team so the integrated platforms helps a lot with efficiency"
Philip F., CEO, G2
When is Kertos not the right choice?
Kertos combines platform, AI and expertise into a result the vendor stands behind: the certification passed, and then maintained. Companies looking purely for a self-service tool, who want to keep subject-matter responsibility in house, are better served by a software-only product.
Two limits customers name directly. The built-in AI assists with drafting and guidance rather than doing the analytical work, and the integration library covers common vendors well but thins out beyond them. The device scanner also does not currently support Linux endpoints.
"The built in AI still has some potential to assist more deeply in working on the results, it is currently mostly limited to general Q&A. The amount of integrations is also quite limited to the most common vendors."
Philip F., CEO, G2
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