Software for compliance is designed to help audits go more smoothly. But small businesses can be placed in a tricky position. They must set up or configure a compliance platform before they can organize their SOC 2 control. This brings up a fascinating question. When will the tool intended to decrease compliance become a separate project?
CertAssist developed out of this frustration. Its developers had worked on compliance-related implementations and audits for SOC 2, ISO 27001 and various frameworks. They found platforms with many integrations and features, but businesses were still using spreadsheets for the main elements of preparation for audits. For smaller organizations, simpler SOC 2 compliance software can sometimes be the more practical answer.
Start with the Tasks That Are Required to be Completed
Eliminate the jargon of software and it’s easier to understand. It is crucial that businesses understand the Trust Services Criteria. This includes setting the right controls, gathering evidence, tracking progress and documenting policies. Platforms are able to manage these tasks without having to be connected with the various identity or cloud-based services the company uses.
Integrations that are automated offer many benefits. Automated integrations can save an organization a lot of time in collecting data in a dynamic environment. This doesn’t mean that the same system will be required to be used for SOC 2 by startups. If a startup is operating in limited technology resources, it may be preferable to make the necessary evidence available manually and to avoid the need for many integrations.
The Software and the Audit are separate expenses
The process of budgeting is a challenge when businesses make each compliance expense separate numbers. SOC 2 costs include more than just software. The internal staff must spend time preparing policies, addressing weaknesses in control, arranging evidence as well as cooperating with auditors. The independent audit also has its own cost.
Businesses researching SOC 2 Certification Costs should also be aware of the differentiating the two: SOC 2 is not an official certificate as per the definition of ISO 27001. Instead, it creates an independent attestation instead of a standard certification. Nevertheless, “certification cost” is often used by businesses searching for pricing data. Whatever terminology is used in the budget, the software doesn’t replace the independent audit.
The Middle Ground isn’t required to be A Spreadsheet
Spreadsheets can be cheap and familiar, but they can become a hassle when spread across several files.
Alternatives to enterprise platforms don’t necessarily need to be costly. CertAssist shows the SOC 2 controls on an integrated board. It also offers editable templates for policies and evidence, progress monitoring, and auditors are able to only see. The mandatory multi-factor authentication safeguards access to the platform. The stated price for the launch is $225 per month with regular pricing of $375 monthly or $3,999 annually.
In addition, no integration may mean less exposure
CertAssist deliberately does not connect to any company’s operational systems. The evidence is presented without granting the compliance platform a permanent access to cloud or identity environments.
The drawback is that this option requires a compromise. The evidence that could have been taken automatically should instead be provided by the company. For a small team however, the extra manual labor may be acceptable in exchange for simpler setting up, lower costs for software, and fewer third-party connections.
If Complexity is the answer to a problem, purchase It
In a growing organization that is growing, the manual collection of evidence could be inefficient. Continuous monitoring and large-scale integrations will pay off at the point you are.
Until then, the goal isn’t buying the most advanced compliance system available. The goal is to streamline the compliance process, collect evidence and manage independent audits. A well-designed software can make this process much easier. Implementing the compliance platform may be more of a challenge as opposed to preparing the SOC 2 itself. It might be that the company does not require numerous tools.