Compliance software is supposed to help audits go more smoothly. Yet small companies can be caught in a tense situation: before they are able to organize their SOC 2 controls, they first must implement, configure, and learn an elaborate compliance system. This poses a question. When does a tool to decrease compliance work transform into an entirely new project?
CertAssist was born out of the frustration. The team behind it focused on compliance implementations, audits as well as ISO 27001 frameworks. They had to deal with platforms that were packed with features and integrations while companies still rely on spreadsheets for crucial aspects of audit preparation. SOC 2 software that is less complicated may be better suited for smaller enterprises.
Begin by identifying the task that Should Be Done
Remove the software jargon and it is simpler to comprehend. A business must go through the pertinent Trust Services Criteria, establish adequate controls, write down policies, gather evidence, monitor progress, and then make that information available for audits conducted by an independent entity. Platforms can manage these functions without having to be connected with the various identity or cloud-based services that the company uses.
Automated integrations can bring many benefits. Automation can save a large organization lots of time when collecting evidence in an ever-changing environment. That doesn’t automatically make the same architecture necessary for SOC 2 for startups. If a startup is operating in limited technology resources it might be better to provide the evidence manually and not have a lot of integrations.
The Audit and Software are Different Expenses
Budgeting can be difficult if companies take each compliance expense as distinct numbers. SOC 2 costs include more than just software. The internal staff must spend time preparing policies, addressing gaps in control, arranging proof and working with auditors. Independent audits also have their own set of fees.
Businesses looking for information about SOC 2 Certification Costs must be aware of the differences: SOC 2 is not a certificate in the sense of ISO 27001. Instead, it provides an independent attestation, not an ordinary certification. However the phrase “certification cost”, which is often used by businesses when searching for price details, is still popular. Whatever the terminology used in the budget, software can’t replace the independent auditor.
The Middle Ground isn’t required to be an Excel Spreadsheet
Spreadsheets are cheap and easy to use, but they become awkward when the policies, controls, ownership, evidence, and audit communication begin spreading across multiple files.
It is not necessary to use an enterprise platform for alternative. CertAssist puts the SOC 2 controls on a central board that can be edited template templates for policy and evidence as well as progress management and auditing access that is read-only. Multi-factor authentication is mandatory to ensure access to the platform. The launch price stated at $225 is to be followed by regular pricing at $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. The platform for compliance isn’t allowed access to cloud or identity environment.
The trade-off is that this approach requires a compromise. Information that could have been captured automatically should be provided by the company. The additional manual work is acceptable for a small group in exchange for simplified setup, a lower cost and fewer relationships with third party.
If Complexity is the answer to a problem, purchase It
In an organization that is growing it is possible that manual evidence collection will be inefficient. Continuous monitoring and extensive integrations can earn their price.
For now, the aim isn’t necessarily to buy the most advanced compliance system available. The goal is to organize compliance, preserve evidence that is credible and allow independent audits to be managed. Good software should remove the friction from that process. If the implementation of the compliance platform is beginning to feel like a much larger task than preparing for SOC 2 itself, it could be a tools than the company requires.
