A compliance software will make auditing easier. Smaller businesses often find themselves stuck in an awkward situation. Before they can put in their SOC 2 controls they must first install, set up and understand a complex compliance system. This brings up a fascinating question. What happens when the tool intended to decrease compliance turn into a separate project?
CertAssist was born out of that frustration. Its founders were involved in compliance implementations, audits and ISO 27001 frameworks. They encountered numerous platforms with integrations and features while companies were still using spreadsheets to manage crucial elements of auditing process. For smaller organizations, simpler SOC 2 compliance software can at times be the most practical solution.
Begin by identifying the task that Must Be Completed
Remove the terms used in software and the essential requirement is more understandable. It is essential that a company understand the Trust Services Criteria. This includes establishing adequate controls, gathering evidence, keeping track of progress and documenting the policies. Platforms can be used to organize these functions without having to connect them to every cloud service or identity system that the company uses.
Automated integrations are certainly beneficial. Automating the collection of evidence by large companies in an environment that is constantly changing could reduce time. It doesn’t necessarily mean the same structure required to be used for SOC 2 for startups. Startups with a limited technology environment may prefer to record evidence on their own, rather than maintain numerous integrations.
The cost for the audit and software are two distinct costs.
When companies consider all compliance expenses as a single number, budgeting may become complicated. SOC 2 includes more than just software. Internal staff have to spend time in preparing policies, addressing any gaps in control, arranging proof and working with auditors. Independent audits are also charged fees of their own.
Companies researching SOC 2 certification cost should also understand a terminology distinction: SOC 2 produces an independent attestation report rather than a certification in the same sense as ISO 27001. However, the phrase “certification cost” is frequently employed by businesses looking for price details, is still frequently used. Whatever the terminology used in the budget, software doesn’t take the place of an independent auditor.
The Middle Ground Doesn’t Need to Be A Spreadsheet
Spreadsheets are cheap and easy to use They are easy to use, but they can become a little awkward when controls, policies, evidence, ownership, and auditing communications start to be spread across many files.
It is not necessary to use an enterprise platform to serve as a alternative. CertAssist shows the SOC 2 controls in an integrated board. It also offers editable templates for policy and evidence, and progress tracking, and auditors can only read. Multi-factor authentication is required to protect the platform. Its stated launch price is $225 monthly with a regular cost of $375 monthly, or $3999 annually.
In addition, no integration could mean less exposure
CertAssist does not intend to connect with a company’s operating systems. Evidence is presented but does not grant the platform with access to cloud environments as well as the identity environment.
That approach involves a tradeoff. The company has to provide evidence that could have been obtained from the automated system. The additional manual work is reasonable for a tiny team, but it will result in a more simple setup, lower cost and less ties with third parties.
Complexity Purchase when it Solves a Problem
Growing companies may get to the point that manual evidence gathering becomes inefficient. Continuous monitoring and extensive integrations will be beneficial once you have reached that point.
In the meantime, the objective isn’t to purchase the most sophisticated compliance platform available. It’s to get the compliance work organised, keep reliable evidence, and enable the independent audit to be manageable. A well-designed software should make this process easier. The implementation of the compliance platform could feel more like a project than preparing the SOC 2 itself. It could be that a company doesn’t require as many tools.