The purpose of compliance software is aid in audits. However, small businesses may be put in a tricky position: before they can organize their SOC 2 controls, they first have to implement, configure, and learn the intricacy of a compliance platform. This brings up a question. What happens when the tool which is intended to lower compliance, turn into a separate task?
CertAssist was a result of this discontent. Its creators worked on compliance implementations, audits, and ISO 27001 frameworks. They had to deal with platforms that were packed with integrations and features while businesses used spreadsheets for crucial elements of preparation for audits. For smaller enterprises, simpler SOC 2 compliance software can occasionally be the best option.
Begin by identifying the job that must be completed
Remove the software jargon and it becomes simpler to comprehend. The company should work through Trust Services Criteria and establish suitable control measures. They should also document the policies, document evidence, track their progress, as well as provide this information for independent auditors. Platforms are able to handle these activities without needing to be connected to all cloud services or identity systems that companies utilize.
Automated integrations can be extremely useful. Automating the process of gathering evidence for large companies in an environment that changes constantly can make it easier to save time. It doesn’t necessarily mean the same system is required to be used for SOC 2 by startups. A startup that has a compact technology environment may prefer to do the evidence themselves and avoid the need to maintain numerous integrations.
The Software and the Audit are different expenses
If companies view all compliance costs in one number, budgeting becomes unclear. SOC 2 includes more than just software. Internal staff have to spend time creating policies, addressing weaknesses in control, arranging proof as well as working with auditors. Independent audits also charge their own set of fees.
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. If businesses are seeking pricing, they often use the term “certification costs”. Software is not a substitute for the independent auditor irrespective of the terminology employed within the budget.
The Middle Ground isn’t required to be a Spreadsheet
Spreadsheets can be affordable and familiar, but they can become a hassle when spread across multiple files.
Alternatives to enterprise-grade platforms do not necessarily need to be costly. CertAssist centralizes the SOC2 control and allows users to edit policies and templates for proving. It also offers auditors with progress management as well as access that is read-only. Multi-factor authentication is necessary to secure the platform. The price of the platform’s initial launch is $225 a month. The regular price is $375 a month or $3999 annually.
In addition, no integration could mean less exposure
CertAssist does not purposely connect with a company’s operating systems. Evidence is presented but does not grant the platform with access to cloud environments and identity environments.
This approach is not without its tradeoffs. It is the duty of the company to provide the evidence that could have been collected automatically. In the case of small teams, the additional work could be justified in exchange for a less complicated setup and lower costs for software and fewer external connections.
If Complexity Solves a Problem, Buy It
An expanding company may arrive at a point where manual evidence gathering becomes inefficient. Continuous monitoring and large-scale integrations will pay off when you reach that point.
It is not necessary to buy the most complex compliance stack up to the point of. The objective is to manage compliance, keep credible evidence and make independent audits manageable. A quality software application should make this process easier. If implementing the compliance platform begins to seem like a bigger task than preparing for SOC 2 itself, it might be just a different tool than the company currently needs.