HouseGRC

Getting started

HouseGRC is a web application that you run on your own server with Docker. These pages take you from a fresh server to a working programme.

1. Install it

Follow Installing with Docker. On a server that already runs Docker it takes a few minutes, and the first start about half a minute once the image is downloaded. The trial starts then: every feature, for 30 days, for up to 5 users.

2. Create the first administrator

docker compose exec -u app housegrc python -m housegrc.cli create-superadmin --username admin

Sign in at https:// and your HouseGRC name. You are asked to set up multi-factor sign-in with an authenticator app or a passkey. Then, in Settings:

  • Company profile and branding: your organisation's name, logo and colours, used on reports and the board pack.
  • Email: an SMTP server, so that HouseGRC can send invitations, reminders and alerts.
  • Single sign-on: optional; SAML with your identity provider, and SCIM if you want it to create users.
  • Users and groups: invite the people who will own controls, risks and vendors.

3. Choose your frameworks

Open Frameworks and adopt the standards and regulations that apply to you. Their requirements map onto the shared controls library, so adopt everything that applies at once: work on a control counts for every framework that needs it. A framework's page can generate a project plan with an owner and a date for each control.

4. Run the programme

  • Record risks in the Risk register, set your appetite for each category, and link risks to controls.
  • Add your third parties and send them assessment questionnaires.
  • Upload or connect evidence, and let control checks and freshness reminders keep it current.
  • Everyone sees their own actions in My Work, and the whole programme shares one calendar.
  • The executive overview and the board pack report on all of it.

5. Add your licence

When you buy, paste the key into Settings ▸ Licence. See Licences and activation.