Tentacle
Tentacle is a compliance automation platform for Managed Service Providers, offering automated evidence collection, cross-framework control mapping, POA&M generation, and cyber insurance management across CMMC, NIST, CIS, and 60+ frameworks. Acquired by Cytracom in June 2024, it operates as the compliance module of Cytracom's unified SASE/UCaaS platform distributed exclusively through the MSP channel.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2020
- HeadquartersPlano, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What Tentacle does
Tentacle is a compliance automation platform built for Managed Service Providers (MSPs). Originally founded in 2020 in Plano, Texas, and acquired by Cytracom in June 2024, it now operates as the compliance module within Cytracom's unified platform for MSPs. The product enables MSPs to assess client environments against CMMC, NIST, CIS, and 60+ cross-walked frameworks, automate evidence collection, generate Plan of Action & Milestones (POA&Ms), produce audit-ready documentation (SSPs, executive reports, assessor-ready evidence packages), and manage cyber insurance form workflows with control-drift detection between renewals.
The technical architecture is differentiated by native integration with the Cytracom product stack — ControlOne (SASE networking), Telivy (vulnerability management, acquired January 2024), Secure Voice (UCaaS communications), and Network Assessment — which feeds validated evidence directly into the compliance platform, eliminating the manual upload burden typical of traditional GRC tools. Tentacle also integrates with ControlOne for active enforcement of MSP-defined managed service security baselines. Pricing is delivered via a three-tier monthly subscription model: Comply (framework tracking, reporting, POA&M), Govern (vendor risk, AI mapping, dynamic documentation), and Assure (multi-framework, SSP generation, white-label portals, audit support).
Go-to-market is channel-led and exclusively through an MSP partner ecosystem supported by a dedicated Partner Success Team, partner enablement, and revenue operations functions. Cytracom reports it more than doubled the number of partners transacting monthly under new SVP of Sales leadership since July 2023, and plans to double total workforce by end of 2025 — both signals supporting expansion of Tentacle adoption within the broader Cytracom platform.
Tentacle firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Tentacle
- Legal name
- Tentacle
- Website
- https://tentacle.co
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2020
- Operating status
- Acquired
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Tentacle is a compliance automation platform for Managed Service Providers, offering automated evidence collection, cross-framework control mapping, POA&M generation, and cyber insurance management across CMMC, NIST, CIS, and 60+ frameworks. Acquired by Cytracom in June 2024, it operates as the compliance module of Cytracom's unified SASE/UCaaS platform distributed exclusively through the MSP channel.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Tentacle industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Compliance Management Software
- NAICS
- Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151)
- SIC
- Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Cloud Compliance, Audit & Continuous Controls Monitoring (CCM/GRC) (HDABAHAI)
Keywords
Where Tentacle is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Plano
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
Tentacle business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- SaaS Platform Subscription: Tentacle operates as a module within Cytracom's unified platform for MSPs. The platform offers compliance management capabilities as part of the integrated offering with pricing tiers for different MSP practice needs.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Comply, Framework, and Assure tiers available |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels4 records
Tentacle product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Tentacle is a full lifecycle compliance and cyber insurance management platform built for Managed Service Providers (MSPs). It automates evidence collection, maps controls across 60+ frameworks including CMMC, NIST, and CIS, generates POA&Ms and audit-ready documentation (SSPs, executive reports, evidence packages), and manages cyber insurance form responses with drift detection. The platform is differentiated by native integration with Cytracom's ControlOne, Telivy, and Secure Voice products, enabling automated cross-product evidence ingestion.
Product overview
Tentacle is a unified platform-plus-modules architecture offering full lifecycle compliance and cyber insurance management specifically designed for Managed Service Providers (MSPs). The core Tentacle product provides automated evidence collection, cross-framework control mapping, POA&M generation, and audit-ready documentation across CMMC, NIST, CIS, and 60+ frameworks. It integrates with other Cytracom products including ControlOne SASE for networking enforcement, Vulnerability Management (Telivy) for security scanning, Secure Voice & Messaging for communications, and Network Assessment for lead generation. This integrated approach enables automated cross-product evidence ingestion, dynamic documentation updates, and continuous audit readiness as part of Cytracom's unified platform strategy.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Tentacle: Full Lifecycle Compliance and Cyber Insurance Management for MSPs. Provides automated evidence collection, control mapping and remediation, audit-ready documentation, and cyber insurance management capabilities.
Products and services
- Tentacle Compliance Management Platform Full lifecycle compliance and cyber insurance management platform for Managed Service Providers (MSPs) that provides automated evidence collection, cross-framework control mapping, POA&M generation, and audit-ready documentation across CMMC, NIST, CIS, and 60+ cross-walked frameworks. Integrated with Cytracom's ControlOne, Telivy, and Secure Voice products for automated cross-product evidence ingestion.
Quantifiable outcome
- More than doubled the number of partners transacting monthly under SVP of Sales leadership since July 2023
Companies that use Tentacle
Customer profileSegments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Tentacle technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability4 records
Feature6 records
Tentacle partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- TelivycoreTelivy is a Cytracom cybersecurity acquisition from January 2024 that integrates with Tentacle as a source for automated evidence ingestion. The vulnerability management data feeds validated evidence into the compliance platform.
- ControlOnecoreControlOne is Cytracom's SASE networking product that provides evidence for Tentacle's automated evidence collection. It also integrates with Tentacle's enforcement capabilities for MSP client standards enforcement.
- Secure VoicecoreSecure Voice is Cytracom's communications platform (UCaaS) that feeds evidence into Tentacle's automated evidence collection across the unified platform.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Tentacle competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Vanta: Leading compliance automation platform supporting SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, CMMC, and other frameworks with automated evidence collection. Closest direct competitor to Tentacle in GRC automation for SMB and mid-market, including via MSP-adjacent motions.
- Secureframe: Compliance and security platform providing automated evidence collection, framework cross-walking, and audit support. Targets similar SMB and mid-market buyers and offers an MSP partner program comparable to Tentacle's motion.
- Thoropass: Compliance automation platform combining audit and compliance software with in-house assessor services. Competes with Tentacle on multi-framework automation and audit-ready documentation.
- Laika: Compliance-as-a-service platform combining SaaS tooling with in-house audit expertise for SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, and PCI. Overlaps with Tentacle in compliance lifecycle management and audit-ready artifact generation.
- Drata: Compliance automation platform offering continuous control monitoring and automated evidence across 20+ frameworks including SOC 2, ISO 27001, and CMMC. Direct competitor in MSP and mid-market compliance-as-a-service.
Broad incumbents
- ConnectWise: Established MSP platform vendor offering PSA, RMM, cybersecurity, and now compliance tooling via integrations and partner ecosystem. Broad incumbent addressing the same MSP buyer base that Tentacle serves through Cytracom.
- A-LIGN: Cybersecurity and compliance audit and advisory firm offering managed compliance services alongside technology. Comparable as a compliance-focused incumbent operating across the same frameworks (SOC 2, ISO, CMMC, HITRUST).
- Kaseya: Large MSP platform provider with IT management, security, and compliance offerings (including acquired products like Datto). Comparable as a broad incumbent selling into the same MSP channel with overlapping security and compliance capabilities.
Emerging players
- Hyperproof: Compliance operations platform for evidence collection, control mapping, and audit management. Direct overlap with Tentacle on cross-framework control mapping and POA&M-style gap tracking.
- Sprinto: Compliance automation platform focused on SaaS companies with continuous control monitoring and integrations across cloud, identity, and dev tools. Comparable automated-evidence approach but with a different customer profile (B2B SaaS).
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Tentacle social profiles
Digital presenceTentacle financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Tentacle leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Tentacle funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Tentacle M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Tentacle
What does Tentacle do?
Tentacle is a full lifecycle compliance and cyber insurance management platform built for Managed Service Providers (MSPs). It automates evidence collection, maps controls across 60+ frameworks including CMMC, NIST, and CIS, generates POA&Ms and audit-ready documentation (SSPs, executive reports, evidence packages), and manages cyber insurance form responses with drift detection. The platform is differentiated by native integration with Cytracom's ControlOne, Telivy, and Secure Voice products, enabling automated cross-product evidence ingestion.
Is Tentacle a public or private company?
Tentacle is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently acquired.
When was Tentacle founded?
Tentacle was founded in 2020. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Tentacle based?
Tentacle is headquartered in Plano, United States, in the North America region.
How does Tentacle make money?
One revenue line is on record: saaS Platform Subscription.
Who are Tentacle's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Vanta, Secureframe, Thoropass, Laika and Drata. Broad incumbents are ConnectWise, A-LIGN and Kaseya. Emerging players are Hyperproof and Sprinto.
Does Tentacle have an API?
No public API is recorded for Tentacle.
What industry is Tentacle in?
Tentacle's product category is Compliance Management Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDABAHAI, Cloud Compliance, Audit & Continuous Controls Monitoring (CCM/GRC). Its NAICS code is 54151 and its SIC code is 7370.