A compliance software should simplify auditing. But small-sized companies may be put in a tricky situation. Before they can organize their SOC 2 controls, they must first implement or configure an extensive compliance system. This raises an interesting question. What is the point at which the tool designed to reduce compliance tasks become a new project on its own?
CertAssist was born out of that frustration. CertAssist’s creators had worked on compliance audits and implementations of ISO 27001 and SOC 2 frameworks. The creators of this software faced numerous challenges with platforms that offered a wide range of options and integrations, while their employers utilized spreadsheets to create crucial audit documents. SOC 2 software that is simple can be better for smaller companies.
Begin by identifying the job you need to complete
If you take away the terms used in software it will be much easier to comprehend. It is crucial that a company know the Trust Services Criteria. This involves setting up the right controls, gathering evidence, tracking progress, and recording the policies. Platforms can manage these tasks without having to connect to each cloud service or identity system the company uses.
Automated integrations are certainly beneficial. Automating the collection of evidence by large corporations in an environment that is constantly changing can reduce time. That doesn’t automatically make the same architecture necessary for SOC 2 for startups. Startups with a compact technology environment may choose to collect evidence manually instead of maintaining numerous integrations.
The cost of auditing and the software are two distinct costs.
Budgeting becomes difficult when companies treat each compliance expense as distinct numbers. SOC 2 costs include more than software. Internal employees are involved in making policies, addressing the issues with control, arranging evidence and working together with the auditor. Independent audits also charge their own fees.
Companies looking into SOC 2 certification costs must also understand a terminology distinction: SOC 2 produces an independent attestation report rather than an actual certification in the same way as ISO 27001. ISO 27001. If businesses are seeking prices, they typically refer to the cost as “certification cost”. Whatever terminology appears in the budget, software cannot substitute for the independent auditor.
Middle Ground Doesn’t Need to be an Excel Spreadsheet
Spreadsheets can be a familiar tool and cheap, but they may be uncomfortable if multiple files are used to communicate policies, control evidence, ownership, and audit communication.
Alternatives to enterprise-grade platforms don’t necessarily need to be costly. CertAssist shows the SOC 2 controls on one central display, and allows you to edit templates for policies and evidence, along with progress monitoring, and auditors are able to only see. Access to the platform is secured by a multi-factor authentication requirement. Its stated launch price is $225 per month, with a regular cost of $375 monthly or $3,999 annually.
The absence of integration also means less exposure
CertAssist deliberately does not connect to any company’s operational systems. The compliance platform is not allowed access to cloud or the identity system.
The method is a compromise. Evidence that could have easily been captured automatically should be provided by the business. For smaller teams, the extra work could be justified with a simpler set-up, lower software costs, and the absence of external connections.
If Complexity is the answer to a problem, purchase It
In a business that is expanding it is possible that manual evidence collection will become inefficient. Continuous monitoring and extensive integrations may pay their fees.
In the meantime, the objective isn’t to purchase the most sophisticated compliance stack available. It’s to get the compliance task organized, maintain solid evidence, and ensure that the independent audit is manageable. Software that’s designed properly should make this process easier. The implementation of the compliance platform could feel more like a project rather than preparing the SOC 2 itself. It could be that the company does not require as many tools.