Software that facilitates audits is known as compliance software. Small companies are often in a precarious position. Before they are able to implement their SOC 2 controls they must first install, configure and master the complexities of a compliance platform. This raises an interesting question. What are the conditions that make a tool to decrease compliance work transform into a new project?
CertAssist was created out of this discontent. Its founders were involved in compliance implementations, audits as well as ISO 27001 frameworks. They had to deal with platforms that were packed with features and integrations. Moreover, businesses used spreadsheets for important pieces of the actual auditing process. SOC 2 is simpler SOC 2 compliance software is often the best option for smaller enterprises.
Begin with the Task that Needs to Be Done
If you take away the terms used in software it will be much easier to comprehend. The company must work through the pertinent Trust Services Criteria, establish adequate controls, write down policies, collect evidence, monitor progress, and then make that information available for independent audit. Platforms are able to manage these processes without having to be connected to all cloud services or identity systems that a company utilizes.
Automated integrations are certainly beneficial. A large-scale organization that is collecting evidence in a constantly evolving environment can save time with automation. That doesn’t automatically make the same architecture necessary for SOC 2 for startups. If a startup operates in an insufficient technology environment it could be best to manually provide evidence and avoid integrating too many systems.
Both the Software and Audit are different expenses
Budgeting becomes confusing when companies make every compliance expense one number. SOC 2 costs include more than software. Internal staff are busy making policies, addressing control gaps, organizing evidence, and working with the auditor. The independent audit comes with its own fees as well.
Companies looking into SOC 2 certification costs should be aware of a distinction in terminology: SOC 2 produces an independent attestation report, not an actual certification in the same way as ISO 27001. ISO 27001. Nevertheless, “certification cost” is often used by businesses searching for price information. Whatever language is used in the budget, software can’t take the place of an independent auditor.
The Middle Ground Doesn’t have to be A Spreadsheet
Spreadsheets can be a familiar tool and inexpensive, but they can be uncomfortable when multiple files are utilized for communication of policies, control, evidence, ownership and auditing communication.
Alternatives to enterprise-grade platforms do not necessarily need to cost a lot. CertAssist centralizes the SOC2 control and provides editable policies as well as templates for evidence. It also gives progress management and auditors with read-only access. A mandatory multi-factor authentication system helps secure access to the platform. Its advertised launch price is $225 per month with a regular cost of $375 monthly, or $3999 annually.
The same system that minimizes exposure is also possible by removing the need for it.
CertAssist does not purposely connect to the operating systems of a company. Evidence is presented but does not grant the compliance platform access to cloud environments and the identity environment.
That approach involves a tradeoff. The company has to provide evidence that could have been collected from the automated system. But for smaller teams, the extra effort might be justified with a simple set-up, lower software costs, and the absence of external connections.
Purchase Complexity When Complexity Solves the issue
A company that is growing may reach a point where manually capturing evidence becomes inefficient. Continuous monitoring and massive integrations will pay off once you have reached that point.
It is not necessary to buy the most complex compliance stack until then. It’s about getting the compliance tasks done, preserve the credibility of evidence and make the independent audit manageable. A well-designed software will help with this. If implementing the compliance platform starts to feel like a much larger task than preparing for SOC 2 itself, it may be simply a more powerful tool than what the business currently requires.