A software for compliance should help auditing become easier. Yet small companies can find themselves in a strange position: before they can organize their SOC 2 controls, they need to first install or configure the intricacy of a compliance platform. It’s a great question. When does the tool designed to improve compliance turn into a separate project?
CertAssist was a result of this discontent. Its creators had worked on compliance implementations and audits across SOC 2, ISO 27001 as well as other frameworks. They repeatedly encountered platforms packed with features and integrations while businesses used spreadsheets for essential elements of preparation for audits. SOC 2 software that is simpler can be more suitable for smaller enterprises.
Start with the Tasks That Must Be Completed
If you eliminate the terminology used by software it is much easier to comprehend. It is important that companies know the Trust Services Criteria. This includes establishing adequate controls, gathering evidence, tracking developments and documenting policies. Platforms can manage these tasks without having to connect with all cloud services or identity systems companies use.
Integrations that are automated have many advantages. Automated integrations can save an company a lot of time while collecting data in a dynamic environment. It doesn’t necessarily mean the same technology is required for SOC 2 by startups. If a startup has only a tiny technology infrastructure it might be better to manually provide evidence and avoid integrating too many systems.
The Audit and the Software Are Two Different Costs
It can be confusing to budget when businesses make every compliance expense one number. The SOC 2 cost includes more than software. Internal staff spend time making policies, addressing control gaps, organizing evidence and working together with the auditor. The independent audit also has its own fee.
When looking into SOC 2 costs, businesses should be aware of a crucial distinction in terms. SOC 2 produces a report that is completely independent and is not a certification as specified by ISO 27001. Nevertheless, “certification cost” is commonly used when businesses search for pricing information. Whatever terminology appears in the budget, software can’t take the place of an independent auditor.
Middle Ground Doesn’t Have to be an Excel Spreadsheet
Spreadsheets are often familiar and cost-effective, but they can become uncomfortable when multiple files are utilized to convey policies, control evidence, ownership, and audit communications.
Alternatives to enterprise-grade platforms don’t necessarily need to cost a lot. CertAssist places the SOC 2 controls on a centralized board that can be edited policy and evidence templates, progress management, and auditor access with read-only. The platform’s access is secured with a multi-factor authentication requirement. The price of its launch is $225 monthly and the regular price is $375 monthly, or $3999 annually.
The absence of integration also means less exposure
CertAssist deliberately doesn’t connect to an organization’s operational systems. Evidence is presented but does not grant the platform with access to cloud environments as well as the identity environment.
This method involves a tradeoff. It is the duty of the business to provide proof that could have been automatically collected. The additional manual work required is acceptable for a small team, but it will result in a easier setup, less expense and less connections to third party.
Buy Complexity If Complexity Solves a Problem
Growing companies may get to the point that manual evidence gathering becomes inefficient. Monitoring and monitoring continuously and integration could be justified by the increased efficiency.
It’s not necessary to buy the most complicated compliance system at this point. It’s to get the compliance work well-organized, provide the credibility of evidence and make the independent audit manageable. A quality software application should reduce friction in this process. If the implementation of the compliance platform begins to seem like a bigger project than the process of preparing for SOC 2 itself, it may simply be more tool than the company currently requires.