Software that helps audits is called compliance software. However, small businesses may be put in a tricky situation. Before they can manage their SOC 2 controls, they must first implement, configure, and learn the intricate compliance system. It raises a good question. At what point does the tool that was designed to ease compliance work become another initiative of its own?
CertAssist was a result of this frustration. Its founders worked on compliance implementations, audits, and ISO 27001 frameworks. The creators of this software had to contend with platforms that came with many options and integrations, while the companies they worked for employed spreadsheets for the preparation of critical auditing pieces. SOC 2 software that is less complicated may be better suited for smaller enterprises.
Begin by identifying the job you need to complete
Strip away the software terminology and the fundamental requirement will become more understandable. The company must work through the pertinent Trust Services Criteria, establish proper controls, create policies, gather evidence, track progress, and then make that information available for audits conducted by an independent entity. A platform is able to manage those processes without having to be connected to each cloud service or identity system the business uses.
Automated integrations can bring a lot of value. Automating the collection of evidence for large corporations in a world that is constantly changing can save time. However, this doesn’t mean the same structure is required for SOC 2 in startups. A startup with a relatively limited technology environment might choose to do the evidence themselves and avoid maintaining numerous integrations.
Both the Software and Audit are two different costs.
Budgeting becomes confusing when companies treat every compliance expense as one number. The SOC 2 cost includes more than software. The internal staff must spend time in preparing policies, addressing weaknesses in control, arranging proof as well as working with auditors. Independent audits also have its own fees.
Companies researching SOC 2 certification cost must be aware of a difference in terminology: SOC 2 produces an independent attestation report rather than an actual certification in the same terms as ISO 27001. However the term “certification cost” is frequently employed by companies when looking for pricing information, is still popular. Whatever the terminology used in a budget, the software cannot replace an independent audit.
Middle Ground Doesn’t Have to be a Spreadsheet
Spreadsheets are inexpensive and familiar However, they can be a bit awkward when controls, policies, evidence, ownership, and audit communications begin to spread across several documents.
It is not necessary to use an enterprise platform to serve as a alternative. CertAssist centralizes the SOC2 control and provides editable policies as well as templates for proving. It also allows progress management and auditors with access to read-only. Multi-factor authentication is necessary to safeguard the platform. The price of the platform’s initial launch is $225 monthly. Regular pricing is $375 a month or $3999 annually.
No Integration Can Also Mean A Less Exposed
CertAssist intentionally doesn’t connect to any company’s operational systems. The compliance platform isn’t allowed access to cloud or the identity environment.
This approach is not without its drawbacks. Evidence that could have easily been captured automatically should be provided by the company. If you have a small staff however, the manual labor may be acceptable in exchange for simpler set-up, lower cost of software as well as fewer connections with third parties.
If Complexity Solves a Problem, Purchase It
An expanding company may reach a point at which manual evidence gathering becomes inefficient. Continuous monitoring and extensive integrations will pay off when you get to that point.
For now, the aim isn’t necessarily to buy the most sophisticated compliance stack available. It’s to get the compliance process organized, maintain credible evidence, and enable the independent audit to be manageable. The best software will remove any friction from the process. If the application of the compliance platform feels like it is taking longer than the preparation for SOC 2 in itself, then the tool may not be enough.