Software that helps audits is referred to as compliance software. Smaller businesses often find themselves in an awkward position. Before they can implement their SOC 2 controls they must first install, configure, and learn an extensive platform for compliance. This raises an interesting question. What is the point at which a tool that can make compliance easier turn into the creation of a new project?
CertAssist was created out of this frustration. The team behind it had been involved in compliance-related implementations and audits for SOC 2, ISO 27001 and other frameworks. They found platforms with a wide range of features and integrations, but companies were still using spreadsheets to handle the most crucial elements of preparation for audits. For smaller companies, a simpler SOC 2 compliance software can often be the better solution.
Start With the Job That Must Be Completed
Eliminate the terminology used by software and the core requirement becomes easier to comprehend. It is crucial that businesses know the Trust Services Criteria. This includes establishing the right controls, gathering evidence, tracking the progress of the process and establishing the policies. Platforms are able to handle these functions without having to be connected with the various identity or cloud-based services companies utilize.
Integrations that are automated offer many benefits. Automating the gathering of evidence by large companies in a world that is constantly changing could save time. That doesn’t automatically make the same architecture necessary for SOC 2 for startups. A startup that has a small technology environment might prefer to present evidence in person and avoid the need to maintain numerous integrations.
Both the Software and Audit are separate expenses
If companies view all compliance costs as a single number, budgeting becomes difficult. SOC 2 costs include more than just software. Internal staff spend time developing policies, fixing problems with control, organizing evidence, and collaborating with the auditor. The independent audit comes with its own fee as well.
Companies who are researching SOC 2 Certification Costs should also be aware of the terminology differentiating the two: SOC 2 is not a certification in the sense of ISO 27001. Instead, it provides an independent attestation, not a standard certification. But, “certification cost” is frequently used by companies searching for pricing information. Software does not replace an independent auditor, irrespective of the terms used within the budget.
The Middle Ground Doesn’t have to be A Spreadsheet
Spreadsheets are often inexpensive and easy to use, but they become cumbersome when spread across multiple files.
The alternative doesn’t need be an enterprise platform. CertAssist centralizes the SOC2 controls and allows users to edit policies and templates for proving. It also provides auditing and progress management, as well as auditors with access to read-only. Access to the platform is secured by an authentication process that requires multi-factor. The stated price for the launch is $225 monthly, with a price that is regular at $375 monthly or $3,999 annually.
The absence of integration also means More Exposure
CertAssist deliberately doesn’t connect to the systems that run the company. Evidence is presented, but without granting the platform with access to cloud environments as well as the identity environment.
The approach is a compromise. The company must prove which could have been captured through an automated system. The extra manual work is reasonable for a tiny team in exchange of a simpler setup, lower costs and fewer connections with third party.
Buy Complexity When Complexity Solves a Problem
In a growing organization that is growing, the manual collection of evidence could become inefficient. The expense of continuous monitoring and integration is justifiable by the increase in efficiency.
It’s not required to purchase the most complex compliance stack until then. It’s about getting the compliance process organized, maintain credible evidence, and make the independent audit manageable. A good software program should reduce friction in this process. The implementation of the compliance platform could appear more like a job as opposed to preparing the SOC 2 itself. It might be that the company is not using as many tools.
