Software designed to facilitate audits is called compliance software. Smaller businesses often find themselves in an awkward position. Before they can put in their SOC 2 controls they must first install, configure and master a complex platform for compliance. That raises a useful question. What is the point at which a tool that can make compliance easier turn into the creation of a new project?
CertAssist resulted from that frustration. The team behind it have worked on compliance implementations and audits as well as ISO 27001 frameworks. They had to deal with platforms that were packed with integrations and features while firms still rely on spreadsheets for crucial elements of auditing process. For smaller companies, a simpler SOC 2 compliance software can at times be the most practical option.
Begin with the Tasks that Need to Be Done
If you take away the terminology used by software it will be much easier to understand. It is important that businesses know the Trust Services Criteria. This involves establishing appropriate controls, collecting evidence, keeping track of the progress of the process and establishing the policies. Platforms can handle these functions without having to be linked with the various identity or cloud-based services the company uses.
Automated integrations can bring a lot of value. Automating the process of gathering evidence for a large company in a world that changes constantly can reduce time. That doesn’t automatically make the same architecture necessary for SOC 2 for startups. A startup with a relatively compact technology environment may prefer to do the evidence themselves and avoid the need to maintain numerous integrations.
The Audit and the Software Are different expenses
It is difficult to budget when companies consider each compliance expense separate numbers. SOC 2 includes more than just software. The internal staff has to devote time in preparing policies, addressing weaknesses in management, arranging the evidence as well as working with auditors. The independent audit has its own cost as well.
Companies who are researching SOC 2 certification cost must also understand a terminology distinction: SOC 2 produces an independent attestation report instead of a certification in the exact terms as ISO 27001. When businesses are looking for pricing, they frequently utilize the term “certification cost”. Software cannot replace an independent auditor, regardless of the terms employed in the budget.
The Middle Ground isn’t required to be A Spreadsheet
Spreadsheets can be a familiar tool and inexpensive, but they can become a source of discomfort when multiple files are utilized to share policies, controls ownership, evidence, ownership and audit information.
Alternatives to enterprise platforms do not necessarily have to be costly. CertAssist centralizes the SOC2 control and offers editable policies and templates for evidence. It also offers progress management and auditors with access only to read. Multi-factor authentication is necessary to secure the platform. The advertised launch price of $225 is to be followed by regular pricing at $375 per month, or $3,999 annually.
A lack of integration could also mean less exposure
CertAssist intentionally doesn’t connect to an organization’s operational systems. Evidence is presented but does not grant the platform with access to cloud environments as well as identities environments.
This method has its tradeoffs. The business must present evidence which could have been captured from the automated system. The extra manual work is acceptable for a small team in exchange for a simplified setup, a lower cost and fewer relationships with third parties.
Purchase Complexity When Complexity Resolves the issue
If a company is growing it is possible that manual evidence collection will turn into inefficient. Monitoring and monitoring continuously and integration is justified by the improved efficiency.
The objective of the compliance stack isn’t to be the most sophisticated one on the market. It’s about getting the compliance tasks done, preserve credible evidence, and make the independent audit manageable. A well-designed software system should help in reducing the friction. Implementing the compliance platform may feel more like a project rather than preparing the SOC 2 itself. It may be because the business does not need more tools.