Software designed to facilitate audits is called compliance software. Smaller businesses often find themselves stuck in an awkward situation. Before they can begin implementing their SOC 2 controls they must first install, configure and learn the complexities of a compliance system. This leads to a pertinent question. What is the point at which the tool designed to reduce compliance tasks become a new project of its own?
CertAssist was born out of that frustration. Its creators worked on compliance implementations, audits as well as ISO 27001 frameworks. They discovered platforms that had many integrations and features, but companies were still using spreadsheets for the most important elements of preparation for audits. The simpler SOC 2 compliance software is often the most effective solution for smaller organizations.
Begin by identifying the task that Needs to Be Done
Remove the terms used in software and the primary requirement becomes simpler to comprehend. An organization must work through the relevant Trust Services Criteria, establish appropriate controls, document policies, collect evidence, keep track of progress and then make the information available for independent audit. Platforms can manage these activities without necessarily connecting itself to every cloud service or identity system that the company uses.
Integrations that are automated can be very valuable. An organization that collects evidence across a constantly changing environment can save time through automation. This doesn’t mean that the same technology is required for SOC 2 in startups. Startups operating in a smaller technology environment may choose to collect evidence manually instead of managing a number of integrations.
The Audit and the Software Are Different Expenses
The process of budgeting is a challenge when businesses consider each compliance expense an individual number. The SOC 2 cost includes more than software. The internal staff has to devote time to creating policies and fixing control gaps. They also manage evidence. Independent audits also have fees of their own.
Companies looking into SOC 2 Certification Cost must also be aware of the distinction: SOC 2 is not a certificate in the sense of ISO 27001. Instead, it provides an independent attestation, not a standard certification. When companies are searching for prices, they typically utilize the term “certification cost”. Whatever terms are used in the budget, software does not replace the independent auditor.
The Middle Ground Doesn’t Have to be a Spreadsheet
Spreadsheets are often familiar and inexpensive, but they can become a source of discomfort when multiple files are utilized to convey policies, control evidence, ownership, and audit communications.
Alternatives to enterprise platforms do not necessarily need to be costly. CertAssist consolidates the SOC2 controls and lets you edit policies and templates for proving. It also offers auditors and progress management with access that is read-only. Multi-factor authentication is necessary for security purposes to ensure the system is secure. The initial price for the platform is $225 monthly. The regular price is $375 per month, or $3999 annually.
No Integration Can Also Mean less exposure
CertAssist does not purposely connect with a company’s operating systems. The evidence is presented without giving the platform with access to cloud environments or identities environments.
The trade-off is that this strategy requires a compromise. It is the duty for the company to supply the evidence that could have been collected automatically. The manual effort is acceptable for a small team in exchange for a more simple setup, lower cost and less connections to third parties.
Purchase Complexity When Complexity Solves the issue
A company that is growing may arrive at a point when the manual process of collecting evidence becomes inefficient. Continuous monitoring and extensive integrations will be beneficial when you get to that point.
The goal until then isn’t buying the most sophisticated compliance platform available. It’s to get the compliance task done, preserve reliable evidence, and ensure that the independent audit is manageable. Good software should remove friction out of the process. If implementing the compliance platform begins to appear like a more complex task than preparing for SOC 2 itself, it may be simply a more powerful tool than the company currently requires.