Software that helps audits is referred to as compliance software. However, smaller companies could be put in a tricky situation. Before they can organize their SOC 2 controls, they need to first install or configure the intricate compliance platform. This raises an interesting question. When does the tool that is designed to reduce compliance become a separate project?
CertAssist was conceived out of this frustration. Its developers had worked on compliance audits and implementations in SOC 2, ISO 27001 and various frameworks. They came across platforms that offered a variety of functions and integrations, yet organizations were still using spreadsheets for the primary elements of preparation for audits. For smaller enterprises, simpler SOC 2 compliance software can sometimes be the more practical option.
Start with the Tasks That Have to be completed
Get rid of the software jargon, and it is simpler to comprehend. It is crucial that a company be aware of the Trust Services Criteria. This involves establishing proper controls, obtaining evidence, tracking the progress of the process and establishing the policies. Platforms can be used to streamline these tasks without having to link them with each cloud service and identity system the company has in place.
Integrations that are automated offer a lot of value. An organization that collects evidence across a constantly changing environment could save significant time by automating. That doesn’t automatically make the same architecture necessary for SOC 2 for startups. If a startup is operating in an insufficient technology environment it might be better to provide the evidence manually and to avoid the need for many integrations.
Software and Audits Are Two Different Costs
Budgeting becomes difficult when companies treat each compliance expense as separate numbers. SOC 2 includes more than just software. Internal staff members are responsible for preparing policies, addressing control gaps, organizing evidence and collaborating together with the auditor. Independent audits also have their own set of fees.
Businesses researching SOC 2 Certification Cost must be aware of the differences: SOC 2 is not an official certificate as per the definition of ISO 27001. Instead, it provides an independent attestation rather than the standard certification. But, “certification cost” is commonly used when businesses search for pricing data. Whatever term is employed in a budget, software is not a substitute for an independent audit.
Middle Ground Doesn’t have to be a Spreadsheet
Spreadsheets can be inexpensive and familiar, but they can become a hassle when spread across many files.
The alternative does not have to be a business platform. CertAssist centralizes SOC2 controls and provides editable policies as well as templates for proving. It also allows auditing and progress management, as well as auditors with read-only access. Multi-factor authentication is mandatory to ensure access to the system. The initial price for launch of $225 is to be followed by regular pricing at $375 per month, or $3,999 per year.
The absence of integration also means A Less Exposed
CertAssist intentionally does not connect to the systems that run the company. The platform for compliance isn’t allowed access to cloud or to the identity environment.
The disadvantage is that this method requires an arrangement. Evidence that could have easily been collected automatically must instead be provided by the business. If the team is small However, the added manual work may be reasonable as a way to get a more simple installation, less software cost and less connections to third party sources.
Purchase Complexity When Complexity Solves a Problem
A growing company could eventually get to the point that the manual process of gathering evidence is no longer efficient. Continuous monitoring and extensive integrations will be beneficial at the point you are.
It’s not necessary to buy the most complex compliance stack at this point. The objective is to manage the compliance process, collect evidence and ensure that independent audits are managed. Good software should remove friction from this process. If the implementation of the compliance platform is beginning to feel like a much larger project than preparing for SOC 2 itself, it might be just a different tools than the company needs.