Software that helps audits is referred to as compliance software. Smaller companies often find themselves in a precarious position. Before they are able to implement their SOC 2 controls they must first install, set up and understand an extensive platform for compliance. This leads to a crucial question. When does the tool which is intended to lower compliance, become a separate program?
CertAssist is the result of this frustration. The team behind it had been involved in compliance implementations and audits across SOC 2, ISO 27001, and other frameworks. They encountered numerous platforms with integrations and features while businesses used spreadsheets for important pieces of the actual preparation for audits. For smaller organizations, simpler SOC 2 compliance software can sometimes be the more practical answer.
Start with the Work That Has to be Done
Remove the software jargon and it’s more understandable. The company needs to work through Trust Services Criteria and establish appropriate control measures. They must also write down policies, gather evidence, track their progress, and offer this documentation to independent auditors. Platforms can be used to streamline these activities without having to connect them with every cloud service or identity software that the company utilizes.
Automated integrations are certainly beneficial. Automating the collection of evidence by large organizations in an environment that changes constantly can save time. This doesn’t mean that the same structure will be required to be used for SOC 2 by startups. If a startup operates in only a tiny technology infrastructure it might be better to manually provide evidence and avoid integrating too many systems.
Software and Audits Are Two Different Costs
When companies treat all compliance costs as one number, budgeting becomes unclear. SOC 2 includes more than simply software. The internal staff is required to dedicate time to the following: preparing policies and addressing gaps in control. They also collect evidence. Independent audits also have its own fee.
Companies researching SOC 2 certification cost must be aware of a difference in terminology: SOC 2 produces an independent attestation report rather than an actual certification in the same meaning as ISO 27001. ISO 27001. However the phrase “certification cost” is frequently employed by companies when looking for price data, is widely used. Whatever terminology appears in the budget, software doesn’t substitute for the independent auditor.
The Middle Ground Doesn’t Need to Be A Spreadsheet
Spreadsheets are cheap and easy to use, but they become awkward when controls, policies, ownership evidence, and audit communications begin to spread across many files.
Alternatives to enterprise-grade platforms do not necessarily have to be costly. CertAssist centralizes the SOC2 control and lets you edit policies and templates for evidence. It also offers auditors with progress management as well as access that is read-only. The platform’s access is secured with a multi-factor authentication requirement. The price of its launch is $225 monthly, and the regular price is $375 per month, or $3,999 per year.
The absence of integration also means Less Exposure
CertAssist deliberately doesn’t connect to a company’s operational systems. It provides evidence without giving the compliance platform access to cloud and identity environments.
This approach is not without its tradeoffs. Evidence that could have been collected automatically must instead be provided by the company. If you have a small staff However, the added manual labor may be acceptable as a way to get a more simple setup, lower software expense, and fewer third-party connections.
Complexity Purchase when it Solves a Problem
An expanding company could eventually get to a point at which the manual method of gathering evidence becomes inefficient. The expense of monitoring and integration is justifiable by the increase in effectiveness.
It’s not required to purchase the most complicated compliance system up to the point of. It’s to get the compliance work organized, maintain reliable evidence, and allow for an independent audit to be managed. Software that’s designed properly should make this process easier. If implementing the compliance platform starts to feel like a larger project than preparing for SOC 2 itself, it might be just a different tool than the company currently needs.