Can Someone Just Explain This?
Serious topics. Plain English. Occasionally jokes.
Alexandria Degree takes complicated topics in compliance, security, diligence, and risk and explains what they actually mean - so operators and founders can move faster with less confusion.
Featured
Start with this featured explanation
Find the explanation you need
Browse by topic, then open the guide that matches the decision in front of you.
Compliance
We Hired Help for SOC 2. Why Is Nothing Moving?
Why SOC 2 projects stall after the kickoff, how the three execution models differ, and what to delegate so the team you hired can actually drive the work.
Compliance
SOC 2 Automation Platforms or Traditional Auditors: Who's Right?
What a GRC platform, an independent auditor, and your own team each actually do in a SOC 2 examination, and the questions to ask before you buy either.
Risk
Why Pay a Vendor When AI Can Build This for Us?
What the weekend demo does not show: support, security, ownership, and the ongoing business you take on when AI makes building a tool feel almost free.
Security
We Got a 200-Question Security Questionnaire. Now What?
A step-by-step workflow for completing a long security questionnaire without losing the deal or creating internal chaos.
Risk
Cyber Insurance Applications: Why Does My Insurance Company Know So Much About Security?
Understand what cyber insurers assess, why the answers matter, and how to prepare a complete, defensible application.
Risk
What Is a Data Flow Diagram and Why Does Someone Suddenly Need One?
Learn how data flow diagrams clarify where data enters, moves, and leaves your systems during diligence and security reviews.
About the series
Why this column exists
This series is for people who need to understand serious business topics quickly and clearly - without jargon, gatekeeping, or unnecessary complexity.
Plain-English explanations for complicated topics. Written for operators and founders who need the real meaning fast.
Alexandria Degree
Founder, AskDegree
Serious topics. Plain English. Occasionally jokes.
Stay in the loop
Get the next plain-English explanation first
Short notes on diligence, security reviews, and compliance pressure - written for operators who need clarity, not jargon.
New explanations as they publish. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.