A compliance software will make auditing easier. Smaller businesses often find themselves stuck in an awkward situation. Before they can put in their SOC 2 controls they must first install, configure, and learn the complexities of a compliance platform. This raises an interesting question. When does a tool to decrease compliance work transform into the creation of a new project?
CertAssist is the result of this anger. Its founders worked on compliance implementations, audits as well as ISO 27001 frameworks. They found platforms with many functions and integrations, yet businesses were still using spreadsheets for the primary parts of audit preparation. SOC 2 software that is simple is more appropriate for smaller enterprises.
Begin by identifying the job that needs to be done
Take away the software terms and the fundamental requirement will become more understandable. It is vital that businesses be aware of the Trust Services Criteria. This involves establishing appropriate controls, collecting evidence, keeping track of progress and documenting the policies. Platforms can be used to organize these tasks without having to connect them to each cloud service or identity system that the company uses.
Automated integrations are certainly beneficial. Automating the process of gathering evidence for large corporations in a world that is constantly changing could reduce time. It doesn’t mean that the same system is needed to be used for SOC 2 in startups. Startups that have a small technology infrastructure might prefer to record evidence on their own, rather than maintain numerous integrations.
The cost for the audit and software are two distinct expenses
When businesses treat all compliance costs as one number, budgeting may become unclear. SOC 2 costs include more than just software. The internal staff must spend time on preparing policies, addressing weaknesses in control, organizing evidence and working with auditors. Independent audits also have its own cost.
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 companies seek pricing, they often utilize the term “certification cost”. Software cannot substitute for an independent auditor, irrespective of the language used within the budget.
The Middle Ground Doesn’t Need to Be a Spreadsheet
Spreadsheets can be inexpensive and familiar, but they can become a hassle when spread across many files.
Alternatives to enterprise-grade platforms don’t necessarily have to be expensive. CertAssist displays the SOC 2 controls on an integrated board. It also offers editable templates for policies and evidence, along with progress tracking, and auditors can only see. The platform’s access is protected by the requirement of multi-factor authentication. The price of its launch is $225 per month with a regular cost of $375 per month, or $3,999 per year.
The absence of integration also means More Exposure
CertAssist deliberately doesn’t connect to a company’s operational systems. The compliance platform has not been provided access to the cloud or identity environment.
This method has its drawbacks. Information that could have been collected automatically must instead be provided by the business. In the case of small teams, the extra effort could be justified with a simpler set-up and lower costs for software and fewer external connections.
If Complexity is the answer to a problem, purchase It
Growing companies may reach a point at which the manual process of gathering evidence becomes inefficient. Continuous monitoring and extensive integrations will pay off when you reach that point.
The objective of a compliance stack is not to be the most sophisticated one in the market. The goal is to streamline compliance, keep credible evidence and make independent audits manageable. A good software program should simplify the process. If the implementation of the compliance platform starts to feel like a much larger project than preparing for SOC 2 itself, it may be simply a more powerful tools than the company needs.
