Software that facilitates audits is known as compliance software. Smaller businesses often find themselves in a precarious position. Before they can begin implementing their SOC 2 controls they must first install, configure, and learn the complexities of a software for compliance. This brings up a question. What happens when the tool intended to decrease compliance turn into a separate project?
CertAssist was born out of the frustration. The CertAssist founders had previous experience in compliance audits and implementations of ISO 27001 and SOC 2 frameworks. They came across platforms that offered a variety of integrations and features, but organizations were still using spreadsheets for the primary components of preparation for audits. Simpler SOC 2 compliance software is often the most effective solution for smaller organizations.
Begin by identifying the job that needs to be done
If you remove the language used by software, it becomes much easier to comprehend. The business must follow the Trust Services Criteria and establish adequate control measures. They should also document policies, collect evidence, and track their development, and making this information available for independent auditors. Platforms can be used to streamline these functions without having to link them with each cloud service or identity system that the company uses.
Integrations that are automated offer many advantages. A large company that gathers data across a constantly changing environment can significantly cut down on time by automating. It doesn’t mean that the same architecture is required for SOC 2 in startups. Startups that have a small technology infrastructure might prefer to take evidence in a manual manner instead of maintaining numerous integrations.
Both the Software and Audit are separate expenses
It is difficult to budget when companies make each compliance expense a separate number. SOC 2 costs include more than software. The internal staff must spend time creating policies, addressing weaknesses in control, organizing evidence and cooperating with auditors. The independent audit also has its own fee.
Companies researching SOC 2 certification cost should also understand a terminology distinction: SOC 2 produces an independent attestation report rather than a certification in the same sense as ISO 27001. When companies are searching for prices, they typically use the term “certification cost”. Whatever terminology is used in a budget, software is not a substitute for an independent audit.
The Middle Ground Doesn’t Have to be an Excel Spreadsheet
Spreadsheets can be inexpensive and comfortable, but they are cumbersome when they are spread over several files.
It is not necessary to use an enterprise-level platform as a substitute. CertAssist displays the SOC 2 controls in an integrated board. It also offers editable templates for policies and evidence, as well as progress monitoring, and auditors are able to only read. Access to the platform is protected by a multi-factor authentication requirement. The cost of the platform’s launch is $225 a month. The regular price is $375 a month or $3999 per year.
The same integration that reduces exposure could also be achieved through removing the need for it
CertAssist intentionally does not connect to the operational systems of the company. The compliance platform has not been allowed access to cloud or the identity environment.
This strategy is not without its tradeoffs. The evidence that could have been obtained automatically has to be provided by the company. The manual effort is acceptable for a small team, but it will result in a simpler setup, lower costs and fewer connections with third parties.
Buy Complexity If Complexity Solves a problem
An expanding company could eventually get to a point at which manual evidence collection can become unproductive. The expense of continuous monitoring and integration could be justified by the increased effectiveness.
For now, the aim isn’t buying the most advanced compliance stack available. The aim is to arrange compliance, maintain credible evidence and ensure that independent audits are managed. Good software should remove the friction from that process. If the application of the compliance platform seems like it’s taking more time than preparing for SOC 2 in itself, then the tool may not be enough.