Software developed to aid in audits is known as compliance software. Small businesses are usually stuck in an awkward situation. Before they can put in their SOC 2 controls they must first install, configure and master an extensive compliance system. That raises a useful question. When does the tool that is designed to reduce compliance, become a separate program?
CertAssist developed out of this frustration. The founders of the company worked on compliance implementations, audits, and ISO 27001 frameworks. They found platforms with many features and integrations, but firms were still using spreadsheets to handle the most crucial parts of audit preparation. For smaller companies, a simpler SOC 2 compliance software can sometimes be the more practical answer.
Begin by identifying the job you need to complete
Eliminate the jargon of software and it’s much more understandable. The company must work through Trust Services Criteria and establish appropriate control measures. They must also write down the policy, collect evidence, keep track of their development, and making this information available to independent auditors. Platforms can be used to streamline these processes without needing to connect them to each cloud service and identity system the company has in place.
Automated integrations can be beneficial. A large organization collecting data across a constantly changing environment may save significant time via automation. However, that doesn’t make the same system necessary to be used for SOC 2 for startups. If a startup operates in limited technology resources, it may be preferable to manually provide evidence and to avoid the need for many integrations.
The Audit and Software are different expenses
The process of budgeting is a challenge when businesses make each compliance expense an individual number. The SOC 2 cost includes more than software. Internal staff members are responsible for creating policies, addressing the issues with control, arranging evidence, and collaborating together with the auditor. The audit independent also has its own cost.
Companies who are researching SOC 2 certification cost should also be aware of the distinction in terminology: SOC 2 produces an independent attestation report instead of a certification in the exact sense as ISO 27001. When companies seek prices, they typically use the term “certification costs”. Software cannot replace an independent auditor, irrespective of the terms employed within the budget.
The Middle Ground Doesn’t have to be A Spreadsheet
Spreadsheets are cheap and easy to use, but they become awkward when the policies, controls, evidence, ownership and auditing communications start to be spread across many documents.
It isn’t necessary to use an enterprise platform for substitute. CertAssist puts the SOC 2 controls on a centralized board, which includes editable templates for policy and evidence, progress management, and auditing access that is read-only. Access to the platform is secured by an authentication process that requires multi-factor. Its stated launch price is $225 monthly, and the regular price is $375 per month or $3,999 annually.
The same integration that reduces exposure could also be achieved through removing the need for it
CertAssist intentionally does not connect to the systems that run a business. The compliance platform isn’t granted access to the cloud or the identity system.
This option is not without its drawbacks. Evidence that could have easily been taken automatically should instead be provided by the business. The extra manual work is reasonable for a smaller team, but it will result in a simpler setup, lower costs and less connections to third party.
If Complexity Solves a Problem, Buy It
Growing companies may reach a point where manually capturing evidence becomes inefficient. This is when continuous monitoring and extensive integrations will pay their cost.
The aim of a compliance stack is not to be the best one available. It is important to keep the evidence credible and to organize compliance work and oversee the independent audit. A well-designed software system should reduce friction in this process. The implementation of the compliance platform could seem more like a task than preparing the SOC 2 itself. It could be that the company is not using numerous tools.