Ed Bartlett, Founder at Hicomply: Helping Businesses Get ISO Certified in Record Time

Tell us about Hicomply.

 

Hicomply is a leading provider of information security compliance technology, designed to empower businesses to manage risk, ensure compliance, and build resilience in today’s dynamic digital landscape.

As cyber threats grow and data privacy regulations tighten, our platform helps organisations protect their information assets while turning compliance into a strategic advantage.

With an innovative GRC platform, Hicomply simplifies information security management, enabling businesses to achieve and maintain certifications such as ISO 27001 and SOC 2 with ease. Our SaaS solution automates complex compliance processes, reducing costs, saving time, and enhancing data protection across the board.

 

hicomply logo

 

How did you come up with the idea for Hicomply?

 

The idea for Hicomply emerged from our shared experience and passion for innovation in technology. With decades of combined experience across five successful SaaS businesses in healthcare, property, and construction, we’ve faced the challenges and opportunities of information security first-hand since 2008. We co-founded Kykloud, which revolutionised traditional building surveying with a SaaS solution. Early on, we invested in ISO 27001 certification, which helped us secure major contracts and ultimately led to the company’s acquisition.

During our time in these industries, we earned multiple certifications and saw how prioritising security could transform a business – boosting revenue, increasing company value, and reducing risks. However, we consistently encountered a major issue: the tools available to support this critical work were outdated, clumsy, and inefficient.

Rather than settling for subpar solutions, we decided to create our own. We built a network of collaborators and developed a platform designed for speed and effectiveness. The result was a solution that saves businesses months of work and reduces the costs of achieving certifications.

 

What is your advice to aspiring entrepreneurs?

 

Our advice is to focus on solving real problems for your customers and to remain adaptable. Success often lies in deeply understanding the challenges within a market and innovating solutions that are practical and impactful. Surround yourself with talented individuals, build a mission-driven culture, and always prioritise integrity and long-term value over short-term gains.

 

What most excites you about Hicomply?

 

What excites us most is the dual impact Hicomply has on businesses. Beyond helping organisations avoid risks and ensure compliance, we empower them to unlock growth. By streamlining the complexities of information security, we enable businesses to achieve certifications faster, build trust with their clients, and confidently expand into new markets. Seeing how our platform helps companies turn compliance into a competitive advantage and drive long-term value creation is incredibly rewarding. We are also excited and proud to be competing on a global scale and supporting over 30 compliance frameworks in many languages.

 

How has the company evolved over the last couple of years?

 

Since its inception in 2019, Hicomply has grown rapidly, transforming from a bold idea into a trusted partner for businesses worldwide. Starting with a focus on addressing inefficiencies in compliance tools, we refined our platform with the help of forward-thinking early adopters. Over time, we’ve built a reputation for delivering impactful, user-friendly solutions. By integrating AI and machine learning, we’ve revolutionised how organisations approach compliance, automating complex processes and making compliance more accessible and effective.

 

What can we hope to see from Hicomply in the future?

 

The future is all about pushing boundaries. Looking ahead, you can expect Hicomply to remain at the forefront of innovation in cyber and information security compliance. We will continue to advance our platform with technologies like AI and machine learning to make compliance even more accessible and effective. Our focus will also be on expanding our global reach and continuing to help businesses navigate the complexities of compliance as the digital world continues to develop.