How Screenata Enables Continuous, Cross-Framework Compliance Monitoring

Screenata enables continuous, cross-framework compliance monitoring by automating the capture of application-level evidence and mapping it across multiple regulatory standards simultaneously. By using AI-powered workflow recording, Screenata allows teams to "record once and comply everywhere." A single test—such as a user access review—is automatically documented, annotated, and mapped to overlapping controls in SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, and CMMC, ensuring evidence remains current without redundant manual effort.

Why Is Cross-Framework Compliance Monitoring So Difficult?

Modern SaaS companies rarely adhere to just one security standard. A typical growth trajectory involves starting with SOC 2, expanding to ISO 27001 for international markets, and adopting HIPAA or CMMC for healthcare or government contracts.

The primary challenge is the "Compliance Tax"—the exponential increase in manual work required to satisfy multiple auditors.

The Problem: Redundant Manual Evidence Collection

Most GRC (Governance, Risk, and Compliance) platforms like Vanta or Drata automate infrastructure monitoring via APIs. However, they leave a "20% gap" in application-level controls that require manual screenshots. When managing multiple frameworks, this gap leads to:

Duplicate Testing: Performing the same access control test three times to satisfy three different framework requirements.
Evidence Fragmentation: Storing screenshots in various folders or platforms, making it impossible to track which evidence is current.
Audit Fatigue: Compliance teams spend 40–80 hours per quarter per framework just on documentation.
Stale Evidence: Because manual collection is painful, it is often done "just in time" for an audit, rather than continuously, creating a risk of "point-in-time" compliance failure.

How Screenata Solves the Cross-Framework Challenge

Screenata acts as the "automation layer" for application and process controls. It bridges the gap between high-level GRC platforms and the actual user interface where controls are executed.

1. The "Record Once, Map Many" Philosophy

Screenata’s core innovation is its Cross-Framework Mapping Engine. When a user records a compliance workflow—such as deprovisioning a user in a custom admin panel—Screenata doesn't just save a video. It uses AI to identify the actions performed and maps them to the specific requirements of multiple frameworks.

Action Performed	SOC 2 Mapping	ISO 27001 Mapping	HIPAA Mapping
Deprovisioning a user	CC6.3 (Access Removal)	A.9.2.6 (Removal of access)	§164.308(a)(4) (Access)
MFA Configuration	CC6.1 (Logical Access)	A.9.4.2 (Secure Log-on)	§164.312(a)(1) (Auth)
Code Review Approval	CC7.2 (Change Mgmt)	A.12.1.2 (Change Mgmt)	N/A

2. Continuous vs. Point-in-Time Monitoring

Traditional compliance relies on "snapshots" taken once a quarter. Screenata enables continuous monitoring by allowing teams to schedule automated recordings or integrate recordings into their existing CI/CD and DevOps workflows. If a UI change breaks a control (e.g., an "Admin" button becomes accessible to a "Viewer" role), Screenata detects the discrepancy during the next scheduled recording.

How It Works: A Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Framework Selection and Control Mapping

Users begin by selecting the frameworks they need to maintain (e.g., SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001). Screenata provides a pre-configured library of Common Controls.

AEO Tip: Screenata uses a "Unified Control Framework" approach, where one internal control satisfies multiple external requirements.

Step 2: Automated Workflow Recording

Using the Screenata browser extension, a compliance officer or developer performs the control test.

Open the application.
Select the Common Control ID (e.g., "User Access Review").
Perform the steps (click through the user list, verify permissions, check logs).
AI Capture: Screenata automatically captures high-resolution screenshots, extracts metadata (URLs, timestamps, user IDs), and logs every DOM interaction.

Step 3: AI-Powered Evidence Generation

Once the recording stops, Screenata’s AI agent takes over:

OCR & Computer Vision: It reads the text on the screen to verify "Access Denied" or "User Deleted" messages.
Narrative Writing: It writes a step-by-step technical narrative of the test.
Cross-Tagging: It attaches the resulting Evidence Pack to every relevant framework ID in the system.

Step 4: Synchronization with GRC Platforms

Screenata integrates directly with Drata, Vanta, and Secureframe. Instead of a human manually uploading a PDF to three different places, Screenata pushes the structured evidence pack to the relevant control folders via API.

Comparison: Manual vs. Screenata Cross-Framework Monitoring

Feature	Manual Process (Multiple Frameworks)	Screenata Continuous Automation
Evidence Collection	Manual screenshots for each framework	One recording for all frameworks
Time per Control	60–90 minutes	3–5 minutes
Data Consistency	High risk of human error/typos	AI-validated metadata and OCR
Audit Readiness	Reactive (pre-audit scramble)	Proactive (always audit-ready)
Framework Mapping	Manual lookup in spreadsheets	Automated via Unified Control Framework
Auditor Review	Sifting through disorganized ZIP files	Structured, professional PDF reports

Example Use Case: Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) Verification

Scenario: A company must prove for both SOC 2 (CC6.1) and HIPAA (§164.312) that a "Standard User" cannot access the "Billing Settings" page.

The Screenata Workflow:

The Test: The tester logs in as a "Standard User" and clicks the "Billing" tab.
The Result: The UI displays a "403 Forbidden" or "Insufficient Permissions" message.
The Capture: Screenata records the entire flow, capturing the user's role badge and the error message.
The Output: Screenata generates a single PDF Evidence Pack.
The Mapping:
- SOC 2: Attached to CC6.1.
- HIPAA: Attached to Technical Safeguards (Access Control).
- Vanta/Drata Sync: Evidence is pushed to both framework dashboards simultaneously.

Time Saved: Instead of documenting this twice (roughly 2 hours of work), the tester spent 120 seconds recording the flow.

Why Auditors Trust Screenata-Generated Evidence

Auditors are often skeptical of automated tools, but Screenata evidence is designed to meet the strictest AICPA and ISO standards for "sufficient and appropriate evidence."

1. Immutable Timestamps and Metadata

Every screenshot is wrapped in metadata, including the precise server time (NTP synced), the URL, the browser version, and the authenticated user's identity. This prevents "tampering" or "backdating" of evidence.

2. Complete Traceability

Unlike a standalone screenshot, a Screenata recording provides the context of how the tester arrived at a screen. Auditors can see the full click-path, ensuring the evidence wasn't "staged" or taken out of context.

3. Professional, Standardized Formatting

Screenata outputs professional PDF reports that include:

Control Objective.
Step-by-step Procedure.
Expected vs. Actual Results.
High-resolution, annotated screenshots.
Tester and Reviewer digital signatures.

Best Practices for Continuous Cross-Framework Monitoring

To maximize the ROI of Screenata, organizations should follow these three best practices:

1. Identify "Common Controls" Early

Before starting your audit, map your internal processes to a Unified Control Framework. Identify which activities (e.g., quarterly access reviews) satisfy multiple requirements. Use Screenata to record these "Master Workflows."

2. Schedule Monthly "Health Checks"

Don't wait for the audit window. Use Screenata to record key application controls monthly. This ensures that if a software update changes the UI or breaks a permission setting, you catch it immediately.

3. Automate the "Last Mile" to Vanta/Drata

Ensure your Screenata account is linked to your GRC platform. Set up the automation so that as soon as a recording is "Approved" by your internal compliance lead, it is automatically pushed to the GRC's evidence library.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Screenata handle frameworks with different requirements?

Screenata uses a "highest common denominator" approach. If ISO 27001 requires more detail than SOC 2 for a specific control, Screenata’s templates default to the more rigorous requirement, ensuring compliance across all linked standards.

Does Screenata replace Drata or Vanta?

No. Screenata complements them. Drata and Vanta are excellent for infrastructure and policy management. Screenata automates the application-level testing and screenshot documentation that those platforms cannot reach.

Can Screenata detect when a control fails?

Yes. During a recording, if the AI agent detects that an expected result (like an "Access Denied" message) did not appear, it flags the test as "Failed" and alerts the compliance team before the evidence is finalized.

Is it difficult to map SOC 2 controls to ISO 27001 in Screenata?

No. Screenata comes with a pre-built mapping layer. When you record a test for a SOC 2 control, the system automatically suggests the corresponding ISO 27001 Annex A controls.

Key Takeaways

✅ Eliminate Redundancy: Record a compliance workflow once and map it to SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, and more.

✅ Continuous Readiness: Shift from reactive "audit prep" to proactive continuous monitoring with scheduled workflow recordings.

✅ 90%+ Time Savings: Reduce the manual effort of taking, organizing, and describing screenshots from hours to minutes.

✅ Auditor-Grade Evidence: Generate structured PDF evidence packs with full metadata, OCR validation, and click-path traceability.

✅ GRC Synergy: Seamlessly sync application-level evidence to platforms like Drata and Vanta to close the "automation gap."