A compliance software will make auditing easier. Small companies are often in a difficult spot. Before they can begin implementing their SOC 2 controls they must first install, configure, and learn an intricate software for compliance. This raises an interesting question. When will the tool designed to improve compliance turn into a separate project?
CertAssist grew out of that frustration. The founders of the company worked on compliance implementations, audits, and ISO 27001 frameworks. The developers of this software faced numerous challenges with platforms that came with many features and connections, while the companies they worked for employed spreadsheets for the preparation of crucial audit documents. SOC 2 software that is simple can be better for smaller companies.
Begin by listing the Tasks That Must Be Completed
Strip away the software terminology and the core requirement becomes more understandable. A business must go through the relevant Trust Services Criteria, establish adequate controls, write down policies, collect evidence, keep track of progress and make that material available for independent audit. Platforms can manage these actions without needing to connect to every cloud service or identity system the business uses.
Integrations that are automated offer significant value. A large company that gathers evidence across a constantly changing environment can save time by automating. It doesn’t mean that the same structure is required for SOC 2 in startups. If a startup operates in an insufficient technology environment it might be better to make the necessary evidence available manually and not have a lot of integrations.
The Software and the Audit are two different costs.
When businesses treat all compliance costs in one number, budgeting can be complicated. The SOC 2 cost includes more than software. The internal staff has to spend time on the following: preparing policies and addressing gaps in control. They also organize evidence. The independent audit is charged its own set of fees.
When analyzing SOC 2 costs, businesses should be aware of a fundamental distinction in terminology. SOC 2 produces a report that is independent, and not a formal certification as defined by ISO 27001. When companies seek pricing, they usually refer to the cost as “certification cost”. Whatever the terminology employed in the budget, the software doesn’t replace the independent audit.
The Middle Ground Doesn’t have to be an Excel Spreadsheet
Spreadsheets are cheap and easy to use, but they become awkward when policies, controls, ownership, evidence, and audit communication begin spreading across many documents.
It isn’t necessary to use an enterprise platform to serve as a substitute. CertAssist centralizes the SOC2 controls and lets you edit policies and templates for proving. It also provides auditors with progress management as well as access only to read. A mandatory multi-factor authentication system helps secure access to the platform. The launch price stated at $225 will be then followed by regular pricing of $375 per month or $3,999 annually.
In addition, no integration could mean less exposure
CertAssist deliberately doesn’t connect to an organization’s operational systems. The evidence provided is not given without giving the compliance platform standing access to cloud and identity environments.
The trade-off is that this method requires a compromise. The company has to provide evidence that could have been gathered using an automated system. The additional manual work required is reasonable for a small team in exchange of a simpler setup, lower costs and fewer connections with third party.
Purchase Complexity When Complexity Resolves a problem
In a growing organization it is possible that manual evidence collection will end up being inefficient. Continuous monitoring and extensive integrations could pay their price.
It’s not required to purchase the most complicated compliance stack until later. The aim is to arrange compliance, preserve evidence that is credible and make independent audits manageable. A well-designed software can make this process much easier. If the installation of the compliance platform seems like it takes longer than preparing for SOC 2 in itself, then the tool might be overkill.