Software that facilitates audits is called compliance software. Smaller companies often find themselves in a difficult spot. Before they can put in their SOC 2 controls they must first install, configure and learn the complexities of a compliance system. It’s a great question. When does the tool designed to improve compliance, become a separate program?
CertAssist is the result of this anger. Its creators had worked on compliance and audits that were based on SOC 2, ISO 27001, and other frameworks. The developers of this software were constantly confronted by platforms with a variety of features and integrations, while their employers utilized spreadsheets to create crucial audit documents. For smaller enterprises, simpler SOC 2 compliance software can occasionally be the best solution.
Begin by listing the Tasks That Are Required to be Completed
Take out the jargon in software and it becomes easier to understand. An organization must work through the relevant Trust Services Criteria, establish appropriate controls, document policies, collect evidence, track progress, and make that material available for independent audit. A platform can organize those actions without needing to connect to every cloud service or identity system the firm uses.
Integrations that are automated can be very valuable. A large company that gathers data across a constantly changing environment can significantly cut down on time with automation. This doesn’t mean that the same system necessary to be used for SOC 2 for startups. Startups with a smaller technology infrastructure may choose to make evidence by hand and avoid maintaining numerous integrations.
The cost of the audit and that of the software are two distinct costs.
The process of budgeting is a challenge when businesses take each compliance expense as separate numbers. The SOC 2 cost includes more than software. Internal staff are required to work on things like preparing policies and addressing gaps in control. They also collect evidence. Independent audits also have their own costs.
Companies who are researching SOC 2 certification costs should be aware of a difference in terminology: SOC 2 produces an independent attestation report instead of a certification in the exact sense as ISO 27001. However, the phrase “certification cost” is frequently used by businesses when searching for pricing information, is still popular. Whatever terminology is used in a budget, software doesn’t replace the independent audit.
The Middle Ground isn’t required to be a Spreadsheet
Spreadsheets are inexpensive and familiar, but they become awkward when policies, controls, ownership evidence, and auditing communication start spreading across many files.
Alternatives to enterprise platforms don’t necessarily have to be expensive. CertAssist centralizes the SOC2 control and offers editable policies and templates for proving. It also gives auditors with progress management as well as access that is read-only. Access to the platform is protected by the requirement of multi-factor authentication. The initial price for the platform is $225 per month. The regular price is $375 monthly or $3999 annually.
No Integration Can Also Mean A Less Exposed
CertAssist intentionally does not connect to the systems that run a company. The compliance platform is not given access to the cloud or identity environment.
This method has its pitfalls. The company has to provide evidence that could have been gathered by the automated system. In the case of a small group however, the extra manual labor may be acceptable to facilitate setting up, lower costs for software as well as fewer connections with third parties.
Buy Complexity When Complexity Solves the issue
A growing company could eventually reach a point at which manual evidence gathering becomes inefficient. The expense of monitoring and integration could be justified by the higher effectiveness.
It is not required to purchase the most complicated compliance system until then. The aim is to arrange compliance, preserve evidence that is credible and make independent audits manageable. Software that’s well designed will make this process simpler. If the implementation of the compliance platform is beginning to seem like a bigger project than the process of preparing for SOC 2 itself, it could be a software than a company needs.