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Stay ahead of the news and trends impacting GRC for leaders, organizations and the public sector. Find resources and insights covering everything from governance best practices to ESG to strategic risk, compliance and audit management.
Optimizing reporting processes with Diligent Entities
When dealing with a complex web of entities and subsidiaries, the ability to create accurate, timely and meaningful reports is essential. Whether you’re managing compliance requirements, overseeing operational performance or supporting strategic decision-making, reporting plays a critical role in helping your organization ensure compliance and transparency. At Diligent, we have firsthand experience helping organizations leverage the right tools to transform reporting on entities from a cumbersome task into a streamlined, value-generating process. This blog explores why organizations should prioritize robust reporting capabilities and how Diligent Entities can optimize your those processes. Why reporting matters for organizations like yours Reporting is more than just a way to document past activities. It’s a vital process that enables organizations to: Ensure compliance: Regulatory requirements are constantly evolving, and organizations must stay ahead to avoid penalties and reputational damage. Comprehensive reports ensure you’re meeting obligations while maintaining transparency. Drive informed decisions: Reports are the foundation for sound decision-making. By analyzing data and identifying trends, leadership teams can make strategic choices that align with organizational goals. Promote accountability: Reporting creates a clear trail of actions and outcomes, making it easier to track progress, evaluate performance and ensure all stakeholders are aligned. Communicate with stakeholders: From board members to shareholders, stakeholders rely on reports to understand the organization’s performance and direction. Well-prepared reports instill confidence and support strong relationships. Given these benefits, it’s clear why organizations can’t afford inefficiencies in their reporting processes. That’s where Diligent Entities comes in. 5 ways Diligent Entities transforms reporting Diligent Entities offers a robust platform designed to simplify and optimize every step of the reporting process. From data collection to analysis and distribution, the platform equips you with the tools you need to work smarter, not harder. 1. Centralized data management One of the biggest challenges organizations face when it comes to managing entities is scattered data. Diligent Entities solves this issue by providing a centralized hub where all your entity information is stored. This ensures data accuracy, reduces the risk of duplication and makes it easy to access the information you need at any time. For example, if you’re preparing a report for a board meeting, you no longer have to dig through spreadsheets, emails or disconnected databases. Everything is organized and available in one place, saving you time and reducing errors. 2. Tailored reporting options: Every organization has unique needs when it comes to reporting. With Diligent Entities, you can customize reports to suit specific audiences or purposes. Whether you’re preparing a high-level overview for executives or a detailed breakdown for regulators, the platform allows you to generate reports that are fit for purpose. Custom templates and automation features further enhance efficiency, allowing you to quickly create reports that meet your organization’s standards. 3. Real-time insights Diligent Entities enables users to extract real-time insights, which is critical in today’s business landscape. Instead of relying on outdated data or waiting days for reports to be finalized, you can access up-to-the-minute information to make timely decisions. The platform also offers tools for data visualization, helping you identify trends and patterns at a glance. This is particularly valuable for presenting data to stakeholders who may not have the time or expertise to sift through raw numbers. 4. Enhanced collaboration Reporting often involves input from multiple departments and stakeholders. Diligent Entities facilitates collaboration by allowing authorized users to access and update information directly within the platform. This eliminates back-and-forth email chains and ensures everyone is working from the same dataset. Additionally, built-in permissions and controls help maintain data security while promoting teamwork, ensuring that sensitive information is only accessible to those who need it. 5. Audit-ready documentation When it comes to compliance reporting, having a complete and accurate audit trail is non-negotiable. Diligent Entities automatically tracks changes and records all actions taken within the platform. This not only simplifies audits but also provides peace of mind that your organization is always prepared for regulatory scrutiny. Tips for making the most of reporting with Diligent Entities During training sessions, I always emphasize that the effectiveness of any tool depends on how it’s used. To help your team get the most out of Diligent Entities, consider the following tips: Familiarize yourself with the platform: Spend time exploring the various features and functionalities. Diligent offers comprehensive user guides and training resources to help you get started. Leverage automation: Make use of the platform’s automation capabilities to reduce manual effort and speed up recurring tasks. Set up templates early: Create templates for common reports to save time and maintain consistency across your organization. Encourage cross-functional collaboration: Train team members from different departments to use the platform, fostering a collaborative approach to data management and reporting. Stay current: Regularly review updates and new features offered by Diligent to ensure you’re taking full advantage of the platform’s capabilities. Do more with Diligent Entities Optimizing your reporting processes isn’t just about making things easier for your team — it’s about driving better outcomes for your organization. With the right approach and a solid tech partner, your team can turn reporting into a competitive advantage that supports your organization’s long-term success. Keep learning Our next Diligent Entities training session is all about populating share history. Click here to sign up and get the most out of your entity management solution. Not already a Diligent Entities customer? If you want to transform the way your organization handles reporting, we are here to help. 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Organizations are ‘rapidly prioritizing’ cyber risk oversight — Datos Insights report
In an era where cyber threats loom larger than ever, highly regulated organizations such as financial institutions (FIs) and insurers are increasingly elevating cyber risk oversight to the board level. A new report from Datos Insights highlights this critical trend, finding that businesses who adopt integrated cyber governance, risk and compliance (GRC) frameworks are not only better equipped to manage risk but also more resilient and competitive. According to the research, board and C-suite cyber GRC technology is now the second-largest planned cybersecurity investment for North American FIs in 2025, marking a major industry shift. With increasing regulatory pressures — such as the SEC’s 2023 cybersecurity risk management rules — and rising cyber threats, organizations can no longer afford fragmented governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) approaches. You can read the full research paper, Cyber GRC: Elevating the Board in the New Age of Risk, here. Key findings: Cyber risk at the board level The Datos Insights study, which surveyed CISOs and cyber-risk leaders from 20 North American regulated firms, reveals that financial institutions are rapidly prioritizing board-level cyber risk oversight. Among the key findings: 57% of financial institution risk leaders rank improving cyber risk oversight at the board level as their top priority for 2025. 60% cite high resource impact on staff as the most severe pain point with current board-level cyber GRC solutions. Enterprise risk visibility and cyber risk quantification (CRQ) remain significant gaps, preventing many organizations from effectively assessing and mitigating cyber threats. The challenge: Overcoming siloed and inefficient cyber GRC practices Historically, cyber risk management has lagged behind other traditional GRC functions in maturity. While organizations have long-established frameworks for managing financial, operational and compliance risks, cyber risk remains a highly dynamic and evolving challenge. The rise of remote work, digitalization and third-party dependencies has only compounded the complexity. Without an integrated cyber GRC platform, many financial institutions struggle with: Siloed data and inconsistent reporting, making it difficult to track and respond to risks in real time. Lack of board-level cyber expertise, limiting the effectiveness of oversight and governance. Regulatory pressure, with frameworks like NIST CSF and SEC regulations demanding greater transparency and incident disclosure. Diligent One Platform: A solution for the evolving cyber GRC landscape As organizations work to modernize their cyber strategies, the Diligent One Platform has been recognized as a leading GRC solution. By providing real-time insights into cyber risks, automating compliance workflows and streamlining board reporting, Diligent One helps boards and C-suite leaders stay ahead of evolving cyber threats. Key capabilities include: Integrated dashboards and AI-driven insights, enhancing board-level risk visibility. Automated compliance tracking, streamlining regulatory reporting and disclosures. Enterprise-wide risk quantification, enabling leaders to measure and mitigate cyber threats effectively. What’s next for cyber GRC? As CROs, CISOs and general counsels increasingly work in partnership with boards on cyber risk and compliance oversight, organizations must rethink how they govern, manage and respond to cyber risk. As regulatory scrutiny intensifies and cyber threats grow more sophisticated, the ability to demonstrate cyber resilience will become a defining factor for financial institutions. For those still relying on disconnected cyber risk management tools, the Datos Insights report serves as a clear warning: unified cyber GRC is no longer optional — it’s a competitive necessity. Want to dive deeper? Download the full Datos Insights report to learn how leading organizations are transforming board-level cyber risk oversight.
