Software that facilitates audits is called compliance software. Smaller businesses often find themselves in an awkward position. Before they can begin implementing their SOC 2 controls they must first install, configure and learn a complex software for compliance. This leads to a pertinent question. At what point does the tool that was designed to ease compliance work turn into a project of its own?
CertAssist was conceived out of this frustration. Its developers had worked on compliance audits and implementations in SOC 2, ISO 27001, and other frameworks. They found platforms with many functions and integrations, yet businesses were still using spreadsheets for the most important elements of preparation for audits. For smaller organizations, simpler SOC 2 compliance software can sometimes be the more practical answer.
Start with the task that must be completed
If you eliminate the software terminology it is much easier to comprehend. An organization must work through the pertinent Trust Services Criteria, establish adequate controls, write down policies, collect evidence, keep track of progress and then make that information available to audit by an independent third party. Platforms can manage these actions without needing to connect to each cloud-based service or identity system the company operates.
Automated integrations can bring a lot of value. Automating the gathering of evidence by large companies in a world that is constantly changing could make it easier to save time. It doesn’t necessarily mean the same infrastructure necessary to be used for SOC 2 for startups. If a startup has limited technology resources It may be more beneficial to create evidence by hand and avoid integrating too many systems.
The cost of an audit as well as the cost of the software are two distinct costs.
The process of budgeting is a challenge when businesses consider each compliance expense an individual number. SOC 2 includes more than just software. Internal staff members must devote time on preparing policies, fixing gaps in control, arranging evidence as well as working with auditors. The independent audit is charged its own set of fees.
Companies who are researching SOC 2 certification cost must also be aware of the distinction in terminology: SOC 2 produces an independent attestation report, not a certification in the exact terms as ISO 27001. ISO 27001. However the phrase “certification cost”, which is often utilized by businesses searching for pricing information, is still popular. Whatever the terminology employed in a budget, software is not a substitute for an independent audit.
The Middle Ground Doesn’t have to be a Spreadsheet
Spreadsheets can be affordable and familiar but become unwieldy when they are spread over several files.
It is not necessary to utilize an enterprise platform as a alternative. CertAssist places the SOC 2 controls on a centralized board and provides editable templates for policies and evidence as well as progress management and auditing access that is read-only. Multi-factor authentication is essential to safeguard the platform. The stated launch price of $225 will be to be followed by regular pricing at $375 per month or $3,999 annually.
The absence of integration also means less exposure
CertAssist does not intend to connect with the company’s operating systems. The compliance platform is not provided access to the cloud or identity environment.
The method is a compromise. The company must provide evidence that could have been gathered by the automated system. But for smaller teams, the extra work could be justified by a more simple setup with lower software expenses, and the absence of external connections.
Purchase Complexity when Complexity Solves a Problem
In an organization that is growing it is possible that manual evidence collection will be inefficient. Continuous monitoring and large-scale integrations will pay off once you have reached that point.
It’s not required to purchase the most complicated compliance system until then. The objective is to manage compliance, preserve evidence that is credible and allow independent audits to be managed. A quality software application should make this process easier. If the process of implementing the compliance tool feels like it takes longer than preparing for SOC 2 in itself, it could be overkill.
