Software that helps audits is referred to as compliance software. Small companies are often stuck in an awkward situation. Before they can implement their SOC 2 controls they must first install, set up and understand an extensive compliance system. This poses a question. When does the tool intended to decrease compliance, turn into a separate task?
CertAssist is the result of this frustration. CertAssist’s founders had experience with compliance audits, as well as implementations under the ISO 27001 and SOC 2 frameworks. They came across platforms that offered a variety of options and integrations, however companies were still using spreadsheets to handle the most crucial aspects of audit preparation. For smaller enterprises, simpler SOC 2 compliance software can occasionally be the best option.
Begin with the Tasks that Need to Be Done
Remove the terms used in software and the core requirement becomes easier to understand. The company should work through Trust Services Criteria and establish suitable controls. They should also record policies, gather evidence, and track their development, and provide this information for independent auditors. Platforms can manage these processes without having to be connected to each cloud service or identity system the business uses.
Automated integrations certainly have value. A large organization collecting evidence across a constantly changing environment can save time with automation. However, this doesn’t mean the same structure is required for SOC 2 in startups. Startups operating in a smaller technology environment might prefer to gather evidence by hand instead of maintaining a multitude of integrations.
The Audit and the Software Are Two Different Costs
When businesses treat all compliance expenses as a single number, budgeting becomes complicated. The SOC 2 cost includes more than software. The internal staff has to devote time on preparing policies, addressing any gaps in control, arranging evidence and cooperating with auditors. Independent audits have their own costs.
In researching SOC 2 costs, businesses must be aware of one important distinction in terminology. SOC 2 produces a report that is independent, and not a formal certification as defined by ISO 27001. When companies are searching for pricing, they frequently employ the term “certification cost”. Software is not a substitute for an independent auditor, irrespective of the language employed within the budget.
The Middle Ground isn’t required to be a Spreadsheet
Spreadsheets can be inexpensive and comfortable, but they are cumbersome when they are spread over several files.
It isn’t necessary to use an enterprise platform to serve as a alternative. CertAssist shows the SOC 2 controls in one central display, and allows you to edit templates for policies and evidence, as well as progress monitoring, and auditors are able to only see. Multi-factor authentication is mandatory to ensure access to the system. The initial price for the platform is $225 a month. Regular pricing is $375 per month, or $3999 per year.
The absence of integration also means More Exposure
CertAssist is not apposed to connecting to the operating systems of a company. The platform for compliance isn’t provided access to the cloud or the identity environment.
This method involves a tradeoff. It is the responsibility of the company to provide evidence that could have otherwise been collected automatically. For a small team However, the added manual labor may be acceptable to facilitate set-up, lower cost of software, and fewer third-party connections.
Buy Complexity If Complexity Solves the issue
In a growing organization the manual process of collecting evidence may become inefficient. This is when continuous monitoring and extensive integrations can earn their fees.
The goal until then isn’t buying the most sophisticated compliance platform available. It’s crucial to maintain the credibility of the evidence, organize the compliance work and oversee the audit independently. A good software program should eliminate friction out of the process. If the implementation of the compliance platform seems like it’s taking longer than the preparation for SOC 2 in itself, it could be overkill.