
Expert-ranked comparison for HIPAA, SOC 2, FedRAMP, GDPR, and CMMC compliance consulting.
Quick Answer: EPC Group ranks #1 for Microsoft-centric compliance IT consulting — delivering HIPAA, SOC 2, FedRAMP, GDPR, and CMMC compliance using Microsoft Purview, Defender, Sentinel, and Entra ID. Fixed-fee compliance accelerators start at $25,000. For organizations running Microsoft 365 and Azure, EPC Group provides the deepest compliance integration with the Microsoft security and compliance stack.
Compliance failures cost enterprises an average of $14.82 million per incident (Ponemon Institute). Yet 73% of organizations still manage compliance through manual spreadsheets and annual audits rather than continuous, technology-driven compliance monitoring.
We ranked these firms on compliance framework depth, Microsoft platform integration, regulated industry experience, pricing transparency, and continuous compliance capability. EPC Group has built compliance programs for Fortune 500 organizations across every major regulatory framework for 28 years.
Best for Microsoft Compliance Stack
EPC Group leads compliance IT consulting for organizations running Microsoft platforms. 28+ years of implementing HIPAA, SOC 2, FedRAMP, GDPR, and CMMC controls using Microsoft Purview, Defender, Entra ID, and Sentinel. Fixed-fee compliance accelerators and 24/7 managed compliance monitoring set EPC Group apart from larger, less specialized firms.
Best for Global Regulatory Programs
Deloitte integrates IT compliance with their audit and risk practice. Strong for multinational organizations needing coordinated compliance across jurisdictions.
Best for Data Privacy Compliance
PwC excels in privacy-focused compliance — GDPR, CCPA, and cross-border data transfer. Strong privacy impact assessment and data protection officer advisory.
Best for SOC 2 Audit + Advisory
KPMG provides both SOC 2 audit services and compliance advisory. Dual capability means seamless transition from readiness to audit.
Best for FedRAMP Authorization
Coalfire is the leading FedRAMP Third-Party Assessment Organization (3PAO). Specialized in government cloud compliance and authorization.
Best for Cybersecurity Compliance
EY integrates cybersecurity with compliance programs. Strong for organizations facing cyber-related regulatory requirements.
Best for Internal Audit Compliance
Protiviti specializes in internal audit and compliance assurance. Strong for organizations building internal compliance monitoring capabilities.
Best for Enterprise-Scale Compliance
Accenture provides compliance at massive scale across multi-cloud environments. Premium pricing but unmatched global delivery capacity.
Best for Endpoint Compliance
CrowdStrike combines endpoint security with compliance monitoring. Strong for organizations where endpoint compliance is the primary regulatory concern.
Best Dedicated Compliance Assessor
Schellman is a dedicated assessment firm for SOC 2, ISO 27001, FedRAMP, and HITRUST. Pure-play assessor without advisory conflicts.
| Framework | Industry | Key Requirements | EPC Group Accelerator |
|---|---|---|---|
| HIPAA | Healthcare | PHI safeguards, BAA, breach notification, access controls, audit logs | $25,000 — M365 HIPAA Hardening |
| SOC 2 | Service providers | Trust criteria (security, availability, confidentiality, privacy, integrity) | $50,000 — SOC 2 Readiness |
| FedRAMP | Government cloud | NIST 800-53 controls, continuous monitoring, 3PAO assessment | $75,000 — FedRAMP Prep |
| GDPR | EU data processing | Data subject rights, DPIAs, breach 72hr notification, DPO | $35,000 — GDPR Assessment |
| CMMC 2.0 | Defense contractors | CUI protection, 110 NIST 800-171 controls (Level 2) | $50,000 — CMMC Readiness |
| FINRA | Financial services | Books/records, communications archiving, supervision | $35,000 — FINRA Compliance |
Compliance IT consulting helps organizations configure technology systems to meet regulatory requirements — HIPAA for healthcare, SOC 2 for service providers, FedRAMP for government, GDPR for data privacy, CMMC for defense, and FINRA for financial services. This includes security architecture, access controls, encryption, audit logging, data loss prevention, incident response, and continuous compliance monitoring. EPC Group specializes in Microsoft ecosystem compliance across all of these frameworks.
Compliance IT consulting costs depend on framework and scope. HIPAA compliance assessment: $25,000-$75,000. SOC 2 readiness: $50,000-$150,000. FedRAMP authorization support: $200,000-$500,000+. GDPR compliance program: $50,000-$200,000. CMMC Level 2 preparation: $75,000-$250,000. EPC Group offers fixed-fee compliance accelerators: M365 Security Hardening ($25,000), Compliance Assessment ($35,000), and comprehensive compliance programs from $75,000.
HIPAA applies specifically to healthcare organizations handling Protected Health Information (PHI) — it mandates specific safeguards for data confidentiality, integrity, and availability. SOC 2 applies to any service provider handling customer data, evaluating controls across five trust service criteria: security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy. Many healthcare technology companies need both. EPC Group implements both frameworks on Microsoft platforms with unified controls that satisfy overlapping requirements.
Microsoft provides a comprehensive compliance toolkit: Microsoft Purview (data classification, DLP, sensitivity labels, information barriers), Microsoft Compliance Manager (compliance score, assessment templates), Microsoft Defender (threat detection, vulnerability management), Microsoft Sentinel (SIEM for security monitoring), Microsoft Entra ID (identity governance, conditional access, PIM), and audit logging across all Microsoft 365 services. EPC Group configures these tools as an integrated compliance platform.
SOC 2 readiness typically takes 3-6 months: gap assessment (2-4 weeks), control implementation (8-16 weeks), evidence collection and documentation (4-6 weeks), followed by the SOC 2 audit itself (4-8 weeks). The total timeline from start to SOC 2 Type I report is typically 6-9 months. SOC 2 Type II requires an additional 6-12 month observation period after Type I. EPC Group accelerates readiness by 30-40% through pre-built Microsoft compliance configurations.
FedRAMP (Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program) is the U.S. government standard for cloud security authorization. Any cloud service provider selling to federal agencies must achieve FedRAMP authorization. There are three impact levels: Low (public data), Moderate (most agency data), and High (sensitive data including law enforcement and emergency services). Microsoft Azure, M365, and Dynamics 365 hold FedRAMP High authorization. EPC Group helps organizations deploy on FedRAMP-authorized Microsoft platforms (GCC, GCC High, DoD) and prepare for agency authorization.
Schedule a free compliance assessment. We will evaluate your regulatory posture and deliver a compliance roadmap with fixed-fee pricing.