SIG vs CAIQ: how to answer security questionnaires fast
When a customer sends a security questionnaire, it is usually one of two standard formats, or the customer's own variant built on them. Recognizing the format is the first step to answering fast.
What is SIG?
SIG (Standardized Information Gathering) from Shared Assessments is a broad question set covering the whole of information security: governance, risk management, access, operations, incident handling and supply chain. It comes in different scopes, from short to very detailed.
What is CAIQ?
CAIQ (Consensus Assessment Initiative Questionnaire) from the Cloud Security Alliance is more cloud-focused and is built around yes/no questions tied to the Cloud Controls Matrix control framework. It is common for SaaS and cloud vendors.
The key difference in practice
SIG is broader and more open-ended; CAIQ is more structured and cloud-specific. Many customers combine them and also send their own variant. The point is the same: you are asked to prove your security, fast.
How to answer in days instead of weeks
- Build a reusable answer bank that maps your controls to both SIG and CAIQ questions.
- Link each answer to verifiable evidence, not just a claim.
- Keep it current so the next questionnaire becomes a shortcut, not a new project.
How PowerQuant helps
- Take the free 2-minute scope check to see which requirements and evidence apply to you.
- Quick Scan (fixed price): a signed readiness report as the basis for your answer bank.
Frequently asked questions
Do we need to handle both SIG and CAIQ? In practice yes, because different customers use different formats. A shared answer bank covers both.
Is a completed questionnaire enough? The customer often wants to see evidence behind the answers, not just filled-in fields.
Indicative overview, not legal advice.