A compliance software should help auditing become easier. Smaller companies often find themselves stuck in an awkward situation. Before they can implement their SOC 2 controls they must first install, configure and master the complexities of a compliance system. That raises a useful question. When does a tool to decrease compliance work transform into an entirely new project?
CertAssist resulted from that frustration. Its founders had worked on compliance implementations and audits across SOC 2, ISO 27001, and other frameworks. They found platforms with a wide range of options and integrations, however companies used spreadsheets to handle the most crucial parts of audit preparation. SOC 2 is simpler SOC 2 compliance software is often the ideal solution for smaller organizations.
Start with the Work That Needs to Be Done
Eliminate the jargon of software and it’s easier to understand. The company must work through the pertinent Trust Services Criteria, establish appropriate controls, document policies, gather evidence, keep track of progress and then make the information available to audit by an independent third party. Platforms can be used to organize these activities without having to connect them to every cloud service and identity system that the company uses.
Automated integrations can bring many advantages. Automation can save a large organization lots of time when collecting evidence in a constantly changing environment. It doesn’t necessarily mean the same system required to be used for SOC 2 for startups. Startups operating in a smaller technology environment may choose to collect evidence manually instead of managing a number of integrations.
The cost of an audit and that of the software are two distinct expenses
The process of budgeting is a challenge when businesses treat each compliance expense as distinct numbers. SOC 2 costs include more than just software. The internal staff is required to work on the following: preparing guidelines and addressing any gaps in control. They also organize evidence. The independent audit has its own fee as well.
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 employ the term “certification cost”. Software does not replace the independent auditor regardless of the terminology employed within the budget.
Middle Ground Doesn’t Have to be an Excel Spreadsheet
Spreadsheets can be a familiar tool and affordable, however they can be uncomfortable when multiple files are used to share policies, controls ownership, evidence, ownership and audit information.
It is not necessary to use an enterprise platform for alternative. CertAssist consolidates the SOC2 controls and provides editable policies as well as templates for evidence. It also allows auditing and progress management, as well as auditors with read-only access. Multi-factor authentication is required for security purposes to ensure the system is secure. The initial price for the platform is $225 per month. The normal price is $375 monthly or $3999 per year.
The absence of integration also means Less Exposure
CertAssist does not intentionally connect to an organization’s operating system. The evidence is presented without granting the compliance platform access to cloud and identity environments.
This approach is not without its pitfalls. It is the responsibility of the company to provide the evidence that could have been collected automatically. In the case of small teams, the added work could be justified by a more simple setup with lower software expenses, and the absence of external connections.
If Complexity is the answer to a problem, purchase It
In a growing organization, manual evidence collection may become inefficient. The expense of continuous monitoring and integration can be justified by the increased effectiveness.
In the meantime, the objective isn’t to purchase the most advanced compliance platform available. It’s to get the compliance tasks well-organized, provide credible evidence, and ensure that the independent audit is manageable. A well-designed software should make this process easier. If the implementation of the compliance tool feels like it’s taking longer than the preparation for SOC 2 in itself, then the tool might be too much.