Software that facilitates audits is known as compliance software. Smaller companies often find themselves in an awkward position. Before they can put in their SOC 2 controls they must first install, configure and learn the complexities of a software for compliance. This poses a question. At what point does the device designed to cut down on compliance tasks become a new project that is its own?
CertAssist was a result of the frustration. CertAssist’s founders had experience with compliance audits and implementations in ISO 27001 and SOC 2 frameworks. They repeatedly encountered platforms packed with features and integrations. Moreover, businesses still relied on spreadsheets for crucial elements of preparation for audits. For smaller companies, a simpler SOC 2 compliance software can often be the better solution.
Begin with the job that must be completed
Eliminate the jargon of software and it is simpler to comprehend. The business must follow the Trust Services Criteria and establish the appropriate control measures. They should also record the policy, collect evidence, and track their development, and offer this documentation to independent auditors. Platforms are able to manage these processes without having to be connected to the various identity or cloud-based services that companies utilize.
Automated integrations can be beneficial. Automating the collection of evidence for a large company in a world that is constantly changing can help save time. However, it doesn’t mean the same architecture is required to be used for SOC 2 by startups. Startups with a compact technology environment may choose to record evidence on their own instead of maintaining a multitude of integrations.
The cost of the audit and that of the software are two separate expenses
Budgeting becomes confusing when companies treat every compliance expense as one number. SOC 2 costs include more than just software. Internal staff members are required to dedicate time to making guidelines and addressing any gaps in control. They also manage evidence. Independent audits also have 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. When businesses are looking for pricing, they often utilize the term “certification costs”. Whatever terminology appears in the budget, software doesn’t take the place of an independent auditor.
The Middle Ground isn’t required to be a Spreadsheet
Spreadsheets can be inexpensive and familiar, but they can become a hassle when they are spread over multiple files.
The alternative does not have to be a platform for enterprise. CertAssist shows the SOC 2 controls in the central board. It includes editable templates to govern policies and evidence, progress tracking, and auditors have the ability to only see. The platform’s access is secured with an authentication process that requires multi-factor. Its advertised launch price is $225 per month, with regular pricing of $375 per month or $3,999 annually.
A lack of integration could also mean less exposure
CertAssist deliberately does not connect to a company’s operational systems. Evidence is presented without granting the platform with access to cloud environments or identities environments.
This strategy is not without its trade-offs. Information that could have been taken automatically should instead be provided by the business. For a small team, however, the additional manual work may be reasonable in exchange for a simpler setup, lower software expense and less connections to third party sources.
If Complexity Solves a Problem, Buy It
In a growing organization it is possible that manual evidence collection will be inefficient. Continuous monitoring and massive integrations will pay off once you have reached that point.
The aim of a compliance stack is not to be the most sophisticated one available. It’s to get the compliance task well-organized, provide the credibility of evidence and enable the independent audit to be manageable. The best software will remove any friction out of the process. If implementing the compliance platform is beginning to feel like a much larger task than the preparation for SOC 2 itself, it may be simply a more powerful tool than the company currently requires.