Software for compliance is designed to make an audit easier. However, small businesses may be caught in a tense position: before they can arrange their SOC 2 controls, they need to first install an SOC 2 system, then configure and master an elaborate compliance platform. This brings up a question. What are the conditions that make a tool to lower compliance work become the creation of a new project?
CertAssist was a result of this discontent. The team behind it worked on compliance implementations, audits and ISO 27001 frameworks. The program’s creators had to contend with platforms that offered a wide range of features and integrations, while the organizations they worked for utilized spreadsheets to create important audit pieces. More simple SOC 2 compliance software is often the most effective solution for smaller enterprises.
Begin by identifying the job that must be completed
If you remove the terms used in software It becomes much simpler to comprehend. It is crucial that a company know the Trust Services Criteria. This involves establishing the right controls, gathering evidence, evaluating developments and documenting policies. A platform is able to manage those activities without necessarily connecting itself to each cloud service or identity system the company uses.
Automated integrations certainly have value. An organization that collects data across a constantly changing environment can save time by automating. That doesn’t automatically make the same architecture necessary for SOC 2 for startups. If a startup operates in only a tiny technology infrastructure it could be best to provide the evidence manually and avoid integrating too many systems.
The cost of auditing and that of the software are two distinct expenses
When companies consider all compliance costs in one number, budgeting becomes confusing. SOC 2 costs include more than just software. Internal staff are required to devote time to creating policies and addressing control gaps. They also arrange evidence. Independent audits have their own set of fees.
Businesses researching SOC 2 Certification Costs should be aware of the distinction: SOC 2 is not an official certificate as per the definition of ISO 27001. Instead, it is an independent attestation, not an ordinary certification. However, “certification cost” is often used by businesses searching for pricing information. No matter what terminology is used in a budget, the software does not replace the independent audit.
The Middle Ground Doesn’t have to be an Excel Spreadsheet
Spreadsheets can be inexpensive and easy to access, but they become awkward when the policies, controls, ownership, evidence, and auditing communications start to be spread across multiple files.
The alternative doesn’t need to be a enterprise-level platform. CertAssist puts the SOC 2 controls on a central board, which includes editable template templates for policy and evidence as well as progress management and read-only auditor access. The platform’s access is protected by the requirement of multi-factor authentication. The initial price for the platform is $225 a month. The normal price is $375 per month, or $3999 per year.
The absence of integration also means less exposure
CertAssist does not intentionally connect with the company’s operating systems. Evidence is presented, but without granting the platform with access to cloud environments or the identity environment.
This method has its drawbacks. It is the duty of the company to provide evidence which could have been collected automatically. In the case of a small group however, the extra manual effort may be worth it to facilitate setting up, lower costs for software as well as fewer connections with third parties.
Purchase Complexity when it solves the issue
In a growing organization the manual process of collecting evidence may turn into inefficient. Monitoring and monitoring continuously and integration could be justified by the improved effectiveness.
The objective of a compliance stack isn’t to be the most technological one on the market. It’s to get the compliance work organized, maintain the credibility of evidence and enable the independent audit to be manageable. A well-designed software should make this process easier. If the implementation of the compliance platform starts to feel like a larger project than preparing for SOC 2 itself, it may be simply a more powerful tool than the company currently needs.