Software that helps audits is known as compliance software. Small companies are often in a precarious position. Before they can begin implementing their SOC 2 controls they must first install, set up and understand an extensive compliance system. This raises an interesting question. What is the point at which the tool that was designed to ease compliance tasks become a new project of its own?
CertAssist is the result of this anger. The team behind it had been involved in compliance implementations and audits across SOC 2, ISO 27001 and other frameworks. They found platforms with many features and integrations, but companies used spreadsheets for the main aspects of audit preparation. SOC 2 software that is simple can be better for smaller businesses.
Start with the Work That Needs to Be Done
Take away the software terms and the essential requirement is simpler to comprehend. An organization must work through the pertinent Trust Services Criteria, establish proper controls, create policies, record evidence, track progress, and then make the information available for audits conducted by an independent entity. A platform can organize those activities without necessarily connecting itself to each cloud-based service or identity system that the firm uses.
Integrations that are automated have a lot of value. A large-scale organization that is collecting evidence across a constantly changing environment can significantly cut down on time with automation. However, that doesn’t make the same architecture mandatory to be used for SOC 2 for startups. If a startup has a small technology environment, it may be preferable to create evidence by hand and not have a lot of integrations.
Both the Software and Audit are distinct expenses
Budgeting becomes confusing when companies consider every compliance expense as one number. The SOC 2 cost includes more than software. The internal staff has to dedicate time to making policies and addressing control gaps. They also manage evidence. Independent audits also have their own costs.
When researching SOC 2 costs, businesses must be aware of one key terminology distinction. SOC 2 produces a report that is not a certification and not a certificate as defined by ISO 27001. Nevertheless, “certification cost” is commonly used when businesses search for pricing information. Software cannot replace the independent auditor regardless of the terminology employed within the budget.
Middle Ground Doesn’t Need to be a Spreadsheet
Spreadsheets can be affordable and familiar, but they can become a hassle when they are spread across many files.
It is not necessary to use an enterprise platform as a substitute. CertAssist consolidates the SOC2 controls and allows users to edit policies and templates for evidence. It also offers auditors with progress management as well as access to read-only. The platform’s access is secured by a multi-factor authentication requirement. The stated price for the launch is $225 per month with regular pricing of $375 per month, or $3,999 per year.
In addition, no integration could mean less exposure
CertAssist does not intend to connect to an organization’s operating system. It provides evidence without giving the compliance platform standing access to cloud or identity environments.
This method has its tradeoffs. The company has to provide evidence that could have been collected by an automated system. In the case of a small group However, the added manual labor may be acceptable to facilitate installation, less software cost, and fewer third-party connections.
Buy Complexity when it solves the problem
A growing organization may eventually arrive at a point where the manual process of gathering evidence becomes inefficient. Continuous monitoring and large-scale integrations will pay off when you reach that point.
For now, the aim isn’t necessarily to buy the most advanced compliance software available. It’s about getting the compliance task well-organized, provide reliable evidence, and make the independent audit manageable. Good software should remove friction out of the process. Implementing a compliance platform can be more of a challenge rather than the preparation of the SOC 2 itself. It could be that a company doesn’t require the same tools.