A compliance software should simplify auditing. However, small businesses may be in a difficult situation: before they are able to set up their SOC 2 controls, they need to first install or configure an extensive compliance platform. This poses a question. At what point does the device designed to cut down on compliance work turn into a project that is its own?
CertAssist is the result of this anger. Its developers had worked on compliance-related implementations and audits for SOC 2, ISO 27001 as well as other frameworks. They repeatedly encountered platforms packed with features and integrations, while organizations still relied on spreadsheets for important pieces of the actual preparation for audits. SOC 2 is simpler SOC 2 compliance software is often the best option for smaller businesses.
Start with the Work That Must Be Completed
If you eliminate the terminology used by software it is much easier to understand. The company should work through Trust Services Criteria and establish appropriate control measures. They must also write down policies, collect evidence, track their development, and make this material available for independent auditors. Platforms can be used to streamline these activities without having to connect them with every cloud service and identity software that the company utilizes.
Automated integrations certainly have value. Automating can save a large organization a lot of time while collecting data in a dynamic environment. This doesn’t necessarily mean that the same technology will be needed to be used for SOC 2 by startups. A startup that has a smaller technology infrastructure may choose to make evidence by hand and avoid maintaining numerous integrations.
The cost of auditing as well as the cost of the software are two distinct costs.
When companies consider all compliance costs as one number, budgeting can be confusing. SOC 2 includes more than just software. Internal staff are required to devote time to creating policies and addressing control gaps. They also organize evidence. Independent audits have their own cost as well.
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. But, “certification cost” is frequently used by companies searching for pricing information. Software is not a substitute for an independent auditor, regardless of the terminology used within the budget.
The Middle Ground Doesn’t Need to Be an Excel Spreadsheet
Spreadsheets are inexpensive and familiar However, they can be a bit awkward when controls, policies, evidence, ownership, and audit communications begin to spread across several files.
The alternative doesn’t need be a business platform. CertAssist displays the SOC 2 controls on a central board, includes editable templates to govern policies and evidence, progress tracking, and auditors will only read. The platform’s access is protected by an authentication process that requires multi-factor. The initial price for launch of $225 is to be followed by regular pricing at $375 per month or $3,999 annually.
In addition, no integration could mean Less Exposure
CertAssist intentionally does not connect to the operational systems of the company. The evidence provided is not given without giving the compliance platform access to cloud or identity environments.
The trade-off is that this strategy requires an agreement. The company must prove which could have been captured using an automated system. But for smaller teams, the additional work can be justified by a more simple setup, lower software costs, and fewer external connections.
If Complexity solves a problem, buy It
If a company is growing the manual process of collecting evidence may end up being inefficient. Continuous monitoring and extensive integrations can earn their costs.
In the meantime, the objective isn’t to buy the most advanced compliance system available. It’s essential to ensure that the evidence is credible, organize the compliance work and oversee the independent audit. A good software program should eliminate friction from this process. Implementing a compliance platform can seem more like a task than preparing the SOC 2 itself. It could be that a company does not require numerous tools.