Software that facilitates audits is referred to as compliance software. Smaller companies often find themselves in an awkward position. Before they can begin implementing their SOC 2 controls they must first install, configure and master an intricate platform for compliance. This leads to a crucial question. When does the device designed to cut down on compliance become a separate project that is its own?
CertAssist was conceived out of this discontent. The CertAssist founders had previous experience in compliance audits and implementations in ISO 27001 and SOC 2 frameworks. The program’s creators had to contend with platforms that came with many features and integrations, while the organizations they worked for utilized spreadsheets to create important audit components. SOC 2 software that is simpler can be more suitable for smaller enterprises.
Start With the Job That Should Be Done
If you eliminate the software terminology it will be much easier to comprehend. The business must follow the Trust Services Criteria and establish adequate controls. They must also write down the policy, collect evidence, keep track of their progress, and make this material available for independent auditors. A platform is able to manage those processes without having to be connected to each cloud-based service or identity system the firm uses.
Automated integrations are certainly beneficial. Automating the gathering of evidence by a large company in a world that is constantly changing can reduce time. That doesn’t automatically make the same architecture required for SOC 2 for startups. A startup that has a compact technology environment may prefer to provide evidence manually and avoid maintaining numerous integrations.
The Audit and the Software Are Different Expenses
It can be confusing to budget when businesses take every compliance expense as one number. The SOC 2 cost includes more than software. Internal staff spend time making policies, addressing control gaps, organizing evidence and collaborating with the auditor. The independent audit also has its own fee.
Businesses researching SOC 2 Certification Cost must also be aware of the terminology difference: SOC 2 is not a certification in the sense of ISO 27001. Instead, it provides an independent attestation and is not the standard certification. When companies seek pricing, they often refer to the cost as “certification costs”. Whatever the terminology used in the budget, software cannot take the place of an independent auditor.
The Middle Ground Doesn’t Have to be A Spreadsheet
Spreadsheets are cheap and easy to use, but they become awkward when controls, policies, evidence, ownership and audit communication begin spreading across many files.
Alternatives to enterprise platforms do not necessarily need to cost a lot. CertAssist centralizes SOC2 controls and allows users to edit policies and templates for proving. It also allows progress management and auditors with access to read-only. Multi-factor authentication is required for security purposes to ensure the system is secure. The initial price for launch of $225 is then followed by regular pricing of $375 per month, or $3,999 annually.
The same system that minimizes exposure is also possible by eliminating the need for it.
CertAssist does not intend to connect to an organization’s operating system. The compliance platform is not granted access to the cloud or identity environment.
This method has its tradeoffs. The company must provide evidence which could have been captured by an automated system. For smaller teams, the additional work could be justified by a more simple setup and lower costs for software and the absence of external connections.
Purchase Complexity when Complexity Solves a Problem
In a business that is expanding, manual evidence collection may turn into inefficient. The expense of monitoring and integration is justified by the increased effectiveness.
The aim of a compliance stack is not to be the most technological one available. The objective is to manage compliance, preserve evidence that is credible and allow independent audits to be managed. Good software should remove friction from this process. If the application of the compliance platform feels like it is taking longer than preparing for SOC 2 in itself, then the tool may be overkill.