Compliance software is intended to facilitate audits. However, smaller companies could be put in a tricky situation: before they are able to arrange their SOC 2 controls, they first have to implement an SOC 2 system, then configure and master the intricate compliance platform. That raises a useful question. What are the conditions that make a tool to lower compliance work become an entirely new venture?
CertAssist is the product of this frustration. The team behind it had been involved in compliance and audits that were based on SOC 2, ISO 27001 and other frameworks. The creators of this software were constantly confronted by platforms that came with many features and connections, while the organizations they worked for employed spreadsheets for the preparation of important audit components. For smaller companies, a simpler SOC 2 compliance software can often be the better answer.
Start with the task you need to complete
Remove the terms used in software and the primary requirement becomes easier to understand. It is important that a company comprehend the Trust Services Criteria. This involves establishing proper controls, obtaining evidence, keeping track of developments and documenting policies. Platforms can manage these activities without needing to be linked with all cloud services or identity systems that the company uses.
Integrations that are automated are extremely beneficial. Automating the process of gathering evidence for large organizations in a world that is constantly changing can reduce time. This doesn’t mean that the same structure will be required for SOC 2 by startups. If a startup is operating in limited technology resources it might be better to make the necessary evidence available manually and avoid having many integrations.
Both the Software and Audit are distinct expenses
When companies consider all compliance costs as a single number, budgeting may become complicated. SOC 2 includes more than only software. Internal staff are required to devote time to creating policies and addressing control gaps. They also manage evidence. Independent audits also charge their own set of fees.
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 phrase “certification cost”, which is often used by businesses when searching for price information, is still widely used. Whatever language is used in the budget, software doesn’t replace the independent auditor.
The Middle Ground Doesn’t Have to Be A Spreadsheet
Spreadsheets can be cheap and familiar but become unwieldy when they are spread across several files.
The alternative doesn’t have to be a platform for enterprise. CertAssist centralizes the SOC2 control and lets you edit policies and templates for evidence. It also provides auditors and progress management with access only to read. A mandatory multi-factor authentication system helps secure access to the system. The stated price for the launch is $225 monthly with regular pricing of $375 monthly or $3,999 annually.
In addition, no integration could mean More Exposure
CertAssist does not purposely connect to the operating systems of a company. The compliance platform has not been allowed access to cloud or the identity system.
The trade-off is that this option requires the use of compromise. Evidence that could have easily been taken automatically should instead be provided by the company. For smaller teams, the additional work can be justified with a simpler set-up as well as lower software costs and fewer external connections.
If Complexity solves a problem, buy It
In a business that is expanding, manual evidence collection may end up being inefficient. That’s when continuous monitoring and extensive integrations may pay their fees.
It is not necessary to buy the most complicated compliance system until then. The goal is to streamline compliance, preserve evidence that is credible and manage independent audits. The best software will remove any friction from that process. Implementing the compliance platform may appear more like a job rather than the preparation of the SOC 2 itself. It may be because the business does not need more tools.