The purpose of compliance software is to facilitate audits. But small-sized companies may be caught in a tense situation: before they are able to arrange their SOC 2 controls, they must first implement or configure an elaborate compliance platform. This poses a question. At what point does the instrument designed to decrease compliance work turn into a project on its own?
CertAssist grew out of that frustration. The team behind it had been involved in compliance and audits that were based on SOC 2, ISO 27001 and other frameworks. They frequently encountered platforms brimming with features and integrations while companies were still using spreadsheets to manage important pieces of the actual auditing process. For smaller organizations, simpler SOC 2 compliance software can at times be the most practical option.
Begin with the Task that Needs to Be Done
Take out the jargon in software and it’s much easier to understand. It is crucial that a company understand the Trust Services Criteria. This includes setting the right controls, gathering evidence, keeping track of the progress of the process and establishing policies. A platform can help organize these actions without needing to connect to each cloud-based service or identity system the firm uses.
Automated integrations can bring significant value. Automation can save a huge organization a lot of time when collecting evidence in a changing environment. That doesn’t automatically make the same architecture necessary for SOC 2 for startups. Startups with a compact technology environment may prefer to do the evidence themselves and avoid the need to maintain numerous integrations.
The cost of the audit and the software are two distinct expenses
The process of budgeting can become confusing when companies treat every compliance expense as one number. SOC 2 costs include more than software. The internal staff is required to spend time on making policies and addressing control gaps. They also collect evidence. Independent audits also have its own fee.
When looking into SOC 2 cost, businesses must be aware of one important distinction in terminology. SOC 2 produces a report that is completely independent and not a formal certification as defined by ISO 27001. However, “certification cost” is often used by businesses searching for pricing information. Whatever language is used in the budget, software cannot take the place of an independent auditor.
The Middle Ground Doesn’t Have to Be an Excel 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 auditing communication start spreading across many documents.
It is not required to use an enterprise platform to serve as a alternative. CertAssist centralizes the SOC2 controls and allows users to edit policies and templates for evidence. It also provides auditors and progress management with access only to read. Mandatory multi-factor authentication helps protect access to the system. Its stated launch price is $225 per month and the regular price is $375 monthly, or $3999 annually.
In addition, no integration could mean less exposure
CertAssist intentionally does not connect to the operational systems of an organization. The compliance platform is not granted access to the cloud or identity environment.
The drawback is that this option requires a compromise. Evidence that could have been collected automatically must instead be supplied by the company. In the case of a small group, however, the additional manual labor may be acceptable as a way to get a more simple setting up, lower costs for software, and fewer third-party connections.
Purchase Complexity When Complexity Solves a Problem
In a growing organization it is possible that manual evidence collection will end up being inefficient. This is when continuous monitoring and extensive integrations can earn their price.
The aim of a compliance stack is not to be the most advanced one available. It’s to get the compliance task organised, keep the credibility of evidence and enable the independent audit to be manageable. A quality software application should simplify the process. If the implementation of the compliance platform begins to appear like a more complex project than the process of preparing for SOC 2 itself, it might be just a different tool than what the business currently needs.