Compliance software is intended to make an audit easier. Small businesses are usually in an awkward position. Before they are able to implement their SOC 2 controls they must first install, configure and learn an intricate software for compliance. It raises a good question. When does a tool to lower compliance work become an entirely new venture?
CertAssist grew out of that frustration. Its developers had worked on compliance implementations and audits across SOC 2, ISO 27001 and other frameworks. They discovered platforms that had many functions and integrations, yet businesses were still using spreadsheets for the primary components of preparation for audits. More simple SOC 2 compliance software is often the ideal solution for smaller enterprises.
Begin with the Task that Should Be Done
If you take away the terms used in software it is much easier to understand. A business must go through the pertinent Trust Services Criteria, establish the appropriate controls, establish guidelines, document evidence, track progress, and make that material available for independent audit. A platform is able to manage those actions without needing to connect to every cloud service or identity system that the company operates.
Automated integrations can be very valuable. Automating the gathering of evidence by large corporations in an environment that is constantly changing can help save time. It doesn’t mean that the same architecture is required to be used for SOC 2 in startups. Startups with a limited technology infrastructure might prefer to take evidence in a manual manner, rather than maintain numerous integrations.
Both the Software and Audit are different expenses
When companies treat all compliance costs as a single number, budgeting may become unclear. The SOC 2 cost includes more than software. Internal staff spend time creating policies, addressing the issues with control, arranging evidence, and collaborating with the auditor. The independent audit has its own cost as well.
Businesses researching SOC 2 Certification Costs should be aware of the terminology distinction: SOC 2 is not a type of certificate within the meaning of ISO 27001. Instead, it is an independent attestation, not the standard certification. If businesses are seeking pricing, they often use the term “certification costs”. Whatever terminology is employed in a budget, software doesn’t replace the independent audit.
Middle Ground Doesn’t have to be a Spreadsheet
Spreadsheets can be affordable and comfortable, but they are cumbersome when they are spread over many files.
The alternative doesn’t have to be an enterprise platform. CertAssist centralizes the SOC2 control and allows users to edit policies and templates for evidence. It also allows auditors with progress management as well as access only to read. Access to the platform is protected by the requirement for multi-factor authentication. The stated price for the launch is $225 monthly, with a price that is regular at $375 monthly or $3,999 annually.
No integration can also mean less exposure
CertAssist intentionally does not connect to the operational systems of a company. The compliance platform has not been given access to the cloud or to the identity environment.
The disadvantage is that this option requires the use of compromise. The business must present evidence that could have been gathered through the automated system. The manual effort is acceptable for a small team, but it will result in a more simple setup, lower cost and less connections to third parties.
If Complexity solves a problem, buy It
If a company is growing it is possible that manual evidence collection will turn into inefficient. Continuous monitoring and extensive integrations could pay their fees.
The aim of a compliance stack isn’t to be the most advanced one available. The goal is to organize the compliance process, collect evidence and make independent audits manageable. Good software should remove the friction from that process. Implementing the compliance platform may be more of a challenge as opposed to preparing the SOC 2 itself. It could be that the company is not using numerous tools.