Software that facilitates audits is called compliance software. Smaller businesses often find themselves stuck in an awkward situation. Before they can implement their SOC 2 controls they must first install, configure and learn an intricate compliance system. This leads to a pertinent question. When does the device designed to cut down on compliance work become another initiative of its own?
CertAssist was born out of the frustration. The founders of the company focused on compliance implementations, audits as well as ISO 27001 frameworks. They found platforms with many options and integrations, however businesses were still using spreadsheets for the primary elements of preparation for audits. SOC 2 software that is simple can be better for smaller enterprises.
Start with the Work That Must Be Completed
If you can eliminate the terms used in software it will be much easier to comprehend. It is crucial that a company be aware of the Trust Services Criteria. This involves setting up adequate controls, gathering evidence, evaluating progress and documenting policies. Platforms can be used to organize these functions without having to connect them with every cloud service or identity software that the company utilizes.
Integrations that are automated offer many advantages. An organization that collects evidence from a continuously changing environment can significantly cut down on time via automation. However, it doesn’t mean the same structure will be needed for SOC 2 by startups. Startups with a limited technology environment may choose to gather evidence by hand instead of managing a number of integrations.
Both the Software and Audit are separate expenses
Budgeting can be difficult if companies take each compliance expense as separate numbers. SOC 2 includes more than simply software. The internal staff has to work on creating policies and fixing control gaps. They also arrange evidence. Independent audits also charge their own costs.
Companies researching SOC 2 certification cost should also understand a terminology distinction: SOC 2 produces an independent attestation report rather than a certification in the same sense as ISO 27001. However, the term “certification cost” is frequently employed by companies when looking for pricing data, is widely used. Whatever the terminology used in the budget, software cannot replace the independent auditor.
Middle Ground Doesn’t Have to be A Spreadsheet
Spreadsheets are often familiar and cheap, but they can be uncomfortable when multiple spreadsheets are used to convey policies, control ownership, evidence, ownership and auditing communication.
Alternatives to enterprise-grade platforms do not necessarily have to be costly. CertAssist displays the SOC 2 controls in one central display, and allows you to edit templates for policies and evidence, as well as progress tracking, and auditors have the ability to only read. The platform’s access is protected by an authentication process that requires multi-factor. Its advertised launch price is $225 per month with a regular cost of $375 per month, or $3,999 per year.
The same process that can reduce exposure could also be achieved by removing the need for it.
CertAssist intentionally does not connect to an organization’s operational systems. The platform for compliance isn’t granted access to the cloud or the identity environment.
The approach is a compromise. The business must present evidence which could have been captured through an automated system. The additional manual work required is reasonable for a small team in exchange for a simplified setup, a lower cost and fewer connections with third parties.
Purchase Complexity When Complexity Resolves a Problem
In a growing organization it is possible that manual evidence collection will turn into inefficient. Continuous monitoring and extensive integrations will be beneficial once you have reached that point.
It is not required to purchase the most complicated compliance system until then. The goal is to organize the compliance process, collect evidence and ensure that independent audits are managed. A well-designed software will help with this. If the process of implementing the compliance platform is a feeling that it is taking longer than preparing for SOC 2 in itself, it could be overkill.