Software that facilitates audits is called compliance software. Smaller companies often find themselves stuck in an awkward situation. Before they can begin implementing their SOC 2 controls they must first install, configure, and learn an intricate compliance platform. That raises a useful question. When does the tool intended to decrease compliance turn into a separate project?
CertAssist was born out of that frustration. The CertAssist founders had worked on compliance audits and implementations in ISO 27001 and SOC 2 frameworks. The developers of this software faced numerous challenges with platforms that had many features and connections, while the organizations they worked for used spreadsheets to write important audit components. SOC 2 software that is less complicated may be better suited for smaller businesses.
Begin with the Tasks that Have to be completed
If you remove the language used by software, it becomes much easier to understand. The company should work through Trust Services Criteria and establish appropriate controls. They should also document policies, gather evidence, keep track of their performance, and offer this documentation for independent auditors. Platforms are able to handle these tasks without having to be connected to all cloud services or identity systems that a company utilizes.
Automated integrations are extremely beneficial. A large-scale organization that is collecting evidence from a continuously changing environment may save significant time via automation. That doesn’t automatically make the same architecture necessary for SOC 2 for startups. Startups with a compact technology environment might prefer to collect evidence manually instead of maintaining numerous integrations.
The cost of an audit and that of the software are two distinct costs.
When businesses treat all compliance costs as a single number, budgeting becomes confusing. SOC 2 includes more than just software. Internal staff are busy preparing policies, addressing problems with control, organizing evidence and working together with the auditor. The independent audit is charged its own cost as well.
Businesses looking for information about SOC 2 Certification Cost should also be aware of the terminology difference: SOC 2 is not an official certificate as per the definition of ISO 27001. Instead, it creates an independent attestation rather than a standard certification. But, “certification cost” is frequently used by companies searching for pricing data. No matter what terminology is used in a budget, the software is not a substitute for an independent audit.
The Middle Ground Doesn’t have to be an Excel Spreadsheet
Spreadsheets can be a familiar tool and cost-effective, but they can become a source of discomfort when multiple spreadsheets are used for communication of policies, control the ownership of evidence, prove ownership, and audit communications.
It is not required to use an enterprise platform for alternative. CertAssist integrates the SOC 2 controls on a centralized board, and offers editable template templates for policy and evidence including progress management and auditor access with read-only. Multi-factor authentication is necessary for security purposes to ensure the system is secure. The initial price for launch of $225 is and will be followed by a regular price of $375 per month or $3,999 per year.
The same process that can reduce exposure can also be achieved through removing the need for it
CertAssist does not intend to connect with a company’s operating systems. The platform for compliance isn’t granted access to the cloud or the identity environment.
This method has its drawbacks. It is the responsibility for the company to supply evidence which could have been collected automatically. The additional manual work required is acceptable for a small team in exchange for a easier setup, less expense and fewer relationships with third parties.
If Complexity Solves a Problem, Purchase It
An expanding company may get to the point that the manual process of gathering evidence becomes inefficient. This is when continuous monitoring and extensive integrations could pay their fees.
In the meantime, the objective isn’t buying the most sophisticated compliance software available. It’s essential to keep the evidence credible and to organize compliance work and oversee the independent audit. The right software will reduce friction in this process. If the implementation of the compliance platform is beginning to feel like a much larger task than preparing for SOC 2 itself, it could be a tools than the company needs.