Software that facilitates audits is known as compliance software. Small businesses are usually in a precarious position. Before they are able to implement their SOC 2 controls they must first install, configure, and learn the complexities of a software for compliance. That raises a useful question. When does the tool that was designed to ease compliance work turn into a initiative of its own?
CertAssist was a result of this frustration. Its creators had worked on compliance audits and implementations in SOC 2, ISO 27001 and other frameworks. They came across platforms that offered a variety of features and integrations, but firms were still using spreadsheets to handle the most crucial aspects of audit preparation. For smaller organizations, simpler SOC 2 compliance software can sometimes be the more practical answer.
Begin by identifying the task that Must Be Completed
If you eliminate the terms used in software it is much easier to understand. A company needs to work through the relevant Trust Services Criteria, establish appropriate controls, document policies, collect evidence, monitor progress, and then make that information available for audits by an independent auditor. Platforms can handle these processes without having to be connected to all cloud services or identity systems that companies use.
Integrations that are automated can be extremely valuable. A large company that gathers data across a constantly changing environment can save time by automating. However, this doesn’t mean the same architecture is required to be used for SOC 2 in startups. If a startup is operating in a small technology environment it might be better to make the necessary evidence available manually and to avoid the need for many integrations.
The Software and the Audit are different expenses
It can be confusing to budget when businesses make every compliance expense one number. SOC 2 includes more than simply software. Internal employees are involved in developing policies, fixing weaknesses in control, organizing evidence and collaborating together with the auditor. The audit independent also has its own cost.
Companies looking into SOC 2 certification cost should be aware of a difference in terminology: SOC 2 produces an independent attestation report instead of an actual certification in the same terms as ISO 27001. However the term “certification cost” is commonly used by businesses when searching for price information, is still frequently used. Software cannot substitute for the independent auditor irrespective of the terms used within the budget.
The Middle Ground Doesn’t Need to Be a Spreadsheet
Spreadsheets are simple and easy to use They are easy to use, but they can become a little awkward when the policies, controls, evidence, ownership and audit communications begin to spread across multiple files.
Alternatives to enterprise-grade platforms don’t necessarily need to cost a lot. CertAssist displays the SOC 2 controls on a central board, provides editable templates for policies and evidence, as well as progress monitoring, and auditors are able to only view. Multi-factor authentication is essential to safeguard the platform. The platform’s launch price is $225 monthly. The regular price is $375 per month, or $3999 annually.
In addition, no integration may mean less exposure
CertAssist is not apposed to connecting with the company’s operating systems. Evidence is presented without granting the compliance platform access to cloud environments or the identity environment.
The trade-off is that this strategy requires an agreement. The company must provide evidence that could have been collected through an automated system. However, for small teams, the added work can be justified with a simpler set-up and lower costs for software and with fewer external connections.
Buy Complexity If Complexity Solves a problem
An expanding company could eventually arrive at a point when manual evidence collection is no longer efficient. This is when continuous monitoring and extensive integrations will pay their costs.
The aim of a compliance stack is not to be the most advanced one on the market. The aim is to arrange the compliance process, collect evidence and allow independent audits to be managed. Software that’s well designed will make this process simpler. If the application of the compliance tool feels like it’s taking more time than the preparation for SOC 2 in itself, then the tool may be overkill.
