Software for compliance is designed to make an audit easier. Small businesses are usually stuck in an awkward situation. Before they can begin implementing their SOC 2 controls they must first install, configure, and learn a complex compliance platform. That raises a useful question. When does the tool designed to improve compliance become a separate project?
CertAssist is the result of this anger. CertAssist’s founders had worked on compliance audits as well as implementations within the ISO 27001 and SOC 2 frameworks. They came across platforms that offered a variety of features and integrations, but companies used spreadsheets for the most important parts of audit preparation. For smaller organizations, simpler SOC 2 compliance software can sometimes be the more practical answer.
Begin with the job that must be completed
Get rid of the software jargon, and it is simpler to comprehend. It is essential that businesses be aware of the Trust Services Criteria. This involves setting up the right controls, gathering evidence, evaluating progress and documenting policies. Platforms are able to handle these activities without needing to be connected with all cloud services or identity systems that companies use.
Integrations that are automated offer many benefits. Automating can save a large company a lot of time when it comes to collecting evidence in a changing environment. This doesn’t mean that the same system required to be used for SOC 2 for startups. If a startup has limited technology resources it could be best to make the necessary evidence available manually and avoid integrating too many systems.
The cost of auditing and that of the software are two distinct expenses
The process of budgeting is a challenge when businesses treat each compliance expense as distinct numbers. SOC 2 includes more than just software. Internal employees are involved in developing policies, fixing the issues with control, arranging evidence and collaborating together with the auditor. The audit independent also has its own fees.
Businesses researching SOC 2 Certification Costs must also be aware of the differentiating the two: SOC 2 is not a type of certificate within the meaning of ISO 27001. Instead, it is an independent attestation, not a standard certification. But, “certification cost” is commonly used when businesses search for price information. Whatever terms are used in the budget, software doesn’t take the place of an independent auditor.
The Middle Ground isn’t required to be an Excel Spreadsheet
Spreadsheets are cheap and easy to use But they aren’t as easy when controls, policies, ownership, evidence, and audit communication begin spreading across multiple files.
It isn’t necessary to use an enterprise-level platform as a substitute. CertAssist integrates the SOC 2 controls on a centralized board that can be edited templates for policies and evidence along with progress management, as well as read-only auditor access. Multi-factor authentication is mandatory to ensure access to the system. Its advertised launch price is $225 per month, with a price that is regular at $375 monthly or $3,999 annually.
The absence of integration also means less exposure
CertAssist deliberately doesn’t connect to the systems that run a company. The compliance platform is not given access to the cloud or to the identity environment.
The approach is a compromise. It is the duty for the company to supply evidence which could have been collected automatically. For a small team however, the manual work may be reasonable in exchange for a simpler installation, less software cost, and fewer third-party connections.
If Complexity solves a problem, buy It
Growing companies may reach the point where the manual process of gathering evidence is no longer efficient. Continuous monitoring and massive integrations will pay off at the point you are.
The aim of a compliance stack isn’t to be the most sophisticated one that is available. It’s about getting the compliance process done, preserve solid evidence, and make the independent audit manageable. Software that’s well designed will help with this. If the implementation of the compliance platform is beginning to seem like a bigger task than preparing for SOC 2 itself, it could be a tool than what the business currently needs.
