Software developed to aid in audits is known as compliance software. However, small businesses may be caught in a tense position: before they can manage their SOC 2 controls, they need to first install, configure, and learn the intricacy of a compliance platform. This brings up a fascinating question. When does the tool which is intended to lower compliance turn into a separate project?
CertAssist is the product of this frustration. The founders of the company focused on compliance implementations, audits, and ISO 27001 frameworks. They found platforms with many options and integrations, however organizations used spreadsheets for the most important elements of preparation for audits. SOC 2 software that is simple can be better for smaller businesses.
Start with the Tasks That Must Be Completed
Strip away the software terminology and the core requirement becomes easier to understand. The company should work through Trust Services Criteria and establish appropriate controls. They should also document the policy, collect evidence, and track their progress, as well as offer this documentation to independent auditors. Platforms can handle these activities without needing to be connected to the various identity or cloud-based services that companies utilize.
Integrations that are automated can be very valuable. A large-scale organization that is collecting evidence across a constantly changing environment can save time with automation. That doesn’t automatically make the same architecture necessary for SOC 2 for startups. Startups that have a smaller technology infrastructure may choose to do the evidence themselves and avoid the hassle of maintaining multiple integrations.
The cost of the audit and software are two distinct expenses
The process of budgeting is a challenge when businesses consider each compliance expense distinct numbers. SOC 2 includes more than only software. Internal staff spend time preparing policies, addressing weaknesses in control, organizing evidence, and working with the auditor. The independent audit comes with its own set of fees.
Companies who are researching SOC 2 Certification Cost should also be aware of the difference: SOC 2 is not an official certificate as per the definition of ISO 27001. Instead, it is an independent attestation instead of an ordinary certification. However, “certification cost” is typically used by businesses looking for pricing information. Software cannot substitute for an independent auditor, irrespective of the terms employed within the budget.
The Middle Ground Doesn’t have to be an Excel Spreadsheet
Spreadsheets are often familiar and cost-effective, but they can be uncomfortable when multiple files are used to communicate policies, control evidence, ownership, and audit communications.
The alternative doesn’t need be an enterprise platform. CertAssist displays the SOC 2 controls on a central board, offers editable templates for policies and evidence, as well as progress tracking, and auditors have the ability to only view. Multi-factor authentication is necessary to secure the platform. Its advertised launch price is $225 monthly, with a price that is regular at $375 monthly, or $3999 annually.
In addition, no integration may mean less exposure
CertAssist intentionally does not connect to the company’s operational systems. Evidence is presented but does not grant the platform with access to cloud environments or identity environments.
This approach is not without its drawbacks. The company must provide evidence that could have been obtained by the automated system. For smaller teams, the added work might be justified with a simple set-up, lower software costs, and fewer external connections.
Purchase Complexity when it solves a Problem
An expanding company could eventually arrive at a point when manually capturing evidence becomes inefficient. The expense of monitoring and integration can be justified by the increased effectiveness.
The goal until then isn’t buying the most sophisticated compliance system available. It’s essential to keep the evidence credible and organize the compliance process as well as manage the independent audit. Good software should remove friction from the process. The implementation of the compliance platform could feel more like a project than preparing the SOC 2 itself. It could be that the company does not require the same tools.