Compliance software is intended to help audits go more smoothly. Yet small companies can find themselves in a strange situation: before they are able to manage their SOC 2 controls, they must first implement an SOC 2 system, then configure and master an elaborate compliance system. That raises a useful question. When did the device designed to improve compliance become a separate project?
CertAssist developed out of this frustration. The CertAssist founders had worked on compliance audits and implementations of ISO 27001 and SOC 2 frameworks. They discovered platforms that had many options and integrations, however firms were still using spreadsheets for the main components of preparation for audits. SOC 2 is simpler SOC 2 compliance software is often the ideal solution for smaller businesses.
Begin with the Task that Has to be Done
If you can eliminate the software terminology It becomes much simpler to understand. The company must work through the relevant Trust Services Criteria, establish appropriate controls, document policies, collect evidence, keep track of progress and then make the information available for audits conducted by an independent entity. Platforms can be used to manage these functions without having to connect them to each cloud service or identity system the company has in place.
Automated integrations definitely have value. A large organization collecting evidence from a continuously changing environment can save time with automation. That doesn’t automatically make the same architecture necessary for SOC 2 for startups. Startups with a compact technology environment may prefer to make evidence by hand and avoid the hassle of maintaining multiple integrations.
The cost for the audit and that of the software are two distinct costs.
When companies consider all compliance expenses as a single number, budgeting can be unclear. SOC 2 includes more than simply software. Internal staff members are required to work on things like preparing policies and addressing gaps in control. They also manage evidence. Independent audits have fees of their own.
Companies looking into SOC 2 Certification Costs should also be aware of the distinction: SOC 2 is not a type of certificate within the meaning of ISO 27001. Instead, it provides an independent attestation instead of a standard certification. However the phrase “certification cost”, which is often utilized by businesses searching for pricing information, is nevertheless frequently used. Software cannot substitute for an independent auditor, regardless of the terminology employed within the budget.
Middle Ground Doesn’t Have to be an Excel Spreadsheet
Spreadsheets are cheap and easy to use But they aren’t as easy when the policies, controls, evidence, ownership and auditing communication start spreading across many documents.
The alternative does not have to be a platform for enterprise. CertAssist centralizes the SOC2 controls and offers editable policies and templates for evidence. It also provides auditing and progress management, as well as auditors with access to read-only. Multi-factor authentication is required to protect the platform. The platform’s launch price is $225 per month. Regular pricing is $375 monthly or $3999 per year.
A lack of integration could also mean less exposure
CertAssist is not designed to connect to the operational systems of a company. The compliance platform is not provided access to the cloud or the identity system.
The disadvantage is that this method requires the use of compromise. It is the obligation for the company to supply evidence that could have otherwise been collected automatically. In the case of a small group however, the manual work could be justified to facilitate setup, lower software expense, and fewer third-party connections.
If Complexity is the answer to a problem, purchase It
In a growing organization the manual process of collecting evidence may become inefficient. Continuous monitoring and massive integrations will pay off when you reach that point.
For now, the aim isn’t necessarily to buy the most sophisticated compliance platform available. It’s crucial to make sure that the evidence is reliable and to organize compliance work as well as manage the independent audit. A well-designed software system should help in reducing the friction. If the implementation of the compliance platform starts to feel like a much larger task than the preparation for SOC 2 itself, it might be just a different software than a company needs.
