The purpose of compliance software is to help audits go more smoothly. Yet small companies can be caught in a tense situation. Before they can manage their SOC 2 controls, they need to first install, configure, and learn an elaborate compliance system. It raises a good question. When does the tool intended to decrease compliance, turn into a separate task?
CertAssist is the result of this discontent. Its creators were involved in compliance implementations, audits and ISO 27001 frameworks. They encountered numerous platforms with features and integrations while firms were still using spreadsheets to manage essential elements of auditing process. SOC 2 software that is simpler can be more suitable for smaller enterprises.
Start by identifying the tasks that Have to be completed
Strip away the software terminology and the primary requirement becomes easier to understand. The company must work through the relevant Trust Services Criteria, establish proper controls, create policies, gather evidence, monitor progress, and then make that information available for independent audit. A platform is able to manage those activities without necessarily connecting itself to every cloud service or identity system that the company uses.
Automated integrations can be extremely valuable. An organization that collects evidence from a continuously changing environment can significantly cut down on time through automation. This doesn’t mean that the same structure is required for SOC 2 in startups. Startups that have a limited technology environment might choose to provide evidence manually and avoid maintaining numerous integrations.
Both the Software and Audit are distinct expenses
It can be confusing to budget when businesses treat every compliance expense as one number. The SOC 2 cost includes more than software. Internal staff members are required to work on the following: preparing guidelines and addressing any gaps in control. They also collect evidence. Independent audits also charge their own set of fees.
Companies who are researching SOC 2 certification costs should also understand a terminology distinction: SOC 2 produces an independent attestation document, but not an actual certification in the same sense as ISO 27001. But, “certification cost” is often used by businesses searching for price information. Software cannot substitute for an independent auditor, irrespective of the terms employed within the budget.
The Middle Ground Doesn’t have to be a Spreadsheet
Spreadsheets are simple and easy to use They are easy to use, but they can become a little awkward when guidelines, controls ownership evidence, and audit communication begin spreading across several files.
Alternatives to enterprise platforms don’t necessarily need to be costly. CertAssist integrates the SOC 2 controls on a centralized board, which includes editable templates for policies and evidence along with progress management, as well as auditing access that is read-only. A mandatory multi-factor authentication system helps secure access to the system. The stated price for the launch is $225 monthly with a regular cost of $375 per month or $3,999 annually.
No integration can also mean less exposure
CertAssist does not intend to connect to the operating systems of a company. The evidence is presented without giving the compliance platform access to cloud environments and identity environments.
This strategy is not without its trade-offs. The company must prove that could have been obtained using an automated system. The manual effort is reasonable for a tiny group in exchange for more simple setup, lower cost and fewer relationships with third party.
If Complexity solves a problem, buy It
In an organization that is growing, manual evidence collection may turn into inefficient. Continuous monitoring and extensive integrations will pay off at the point you are.
The objective of the compliance stack isn’t to be the most advanced one available. It’s important to keep the evidence credible as well as organize the compliance tasks as well as manage the independent audit. Software that’s well designed will help with this. Implementing a compliance platform can feel more like a project rather than preparing the SOC 2 itself. It might be that the company does not need numerous tools.