Software designed to facilitate audits is called compliance software. But small businesses can be put in a difficult position. They have to implement an, configure and maintain the compliance software before they can organise their SOC 2 control. It’s a great question. At what point does the device designed to cut down on compliance work turn into a project on its own?
CertAssist is the product of this frustration. CertAssist’s founders were familiar with compliance audits and implementations of ISO 27001 and SOC 2 frameworks. They frequently encountered platforms brimming with features and integrations, while organizations still relied on spreadsheets for important pieces of the actual preparation for audits. For smaller organizations, simpler SOC 2 compliance software can sometimes be the more practical answer.
Start by identifying the tasks that Are Required to be Completed
Remove the software jargon and it’s simpler to comprehend. It is vital that a company know the Trust Services Criteria. This involves establishing the right controls, gathering evidence, tracking the progress of the process and establishing policies. Platforms can manage these processes without having to be connected to every cloud-based service or identity system that the firm uses.
Automated integrations definitely have value. Automating the gathering of evidence by large companies in a world that changes constantly can help save time. It doesn’t mean that the same structure is required to be used for SOC 2 in startups. Startups operating in a smaller technology environment might prefer to collect evidence manually, rather than maintain numerous integrations.
The Audit and Software are different expenses
It is difficult to budget when companies treat each compliance expense as distinct numbers. SOC 2 costs include more than just software. Internal staff spend time preparing policies, addressing problems with control, organizing evidence, and collaborating together with the auditor. Independent audits have their own costs.
In researching SOC 2 cost, businesses should be aware fundamental distinction in terminology. SOC 2 produces a report that is not a certification and not a formal certification as defined by ISO 27001. If businesses are seeking pricing, they often use the term “certification cost”. Whatever the terminology used in the budget, the software is not a substitute for an independent audit.
The Middle Ground Doesn’t Have to Be a Spreadsheet
Spreadsheets might be familiar and inexpensive, but they can become uncomfortable when multiple files are used for communication of policies, control evidence, ownership, and auditing communication.
It is not necessary to use an enterprise platform for substitute. CertAssist puts the SOC 2 controls on a central board that can be edited templates for policy and evidence along with progress management, as well as auditor access with read-only. Multi-factor authentication is essential to safeguard the platform. The initial price for launch of $225 will be then followed by regular pricing of $375 per month or $3,999 annually.
The absence of integration also means less exposure
CertAssist deliberately doesn’t connect to any company’s operational systems. It provides evidence without giving the compliance platform access to cloud or identity environments.
This strategy is not without its pitfalls. The evidence that could have been obtained automatically has to be provided by the business. For smaller teams, the extra work can be justified with a simple set-up and lower costs for software and less external connections.
If Complexity Solves a Problem, Purchase It
In a business that is expanding, manual evidence collection may end up being inefficient. The cost of continuous monitoring and integration is justified by the improved efficiency.
Until then, the goal isn’t buying the most advanced compliance platform available. It’s about getting the compliance work organized, maintain credible evidence, and ensure that the independent audit is manageable. A good software program should eliminate friction from that process. If implementing the compliance platform starts to feel like a much larger project than preparing for SOC 2 itself, it might be just a different tool than what the business currently needs.