Compliance software is supposed to facilitate audits. Smaller businesses often find themselves stuck in an awkward situation. Before they can begin implementing their SOC 2 controls they must first install, configure and master the complexities of a platform for compliance. This brings up a question. When does a tool to reduce compliance work turn into an entirely new project?
CertAssist is the result of this discontent. The founders of the company focused on compliance implementations, audits and ISO 27001 frameworks. They encountered numerous platforms with features and integrations, while firms used spreadsheets for important pieces of the actual preparation for audits. For smaller organizations, simpler SOC 2 compliance software can often be the better answer.
Start with the Tasks That Have to be completed
If you can eliminate the language used by software it will be much easier to understand. It is important that companies know the Trust Services Criteria. This includes establishing appropriate controls, collecting evidence, evaluating progress and documenting the policies. Platforms can be used to streamline these tasks without having to connect them with every cloud service and identity system used by the company.
Integrations that are automated offer many benefits. Automating the gathering of evidence by large corporations in a world that is constantly changing could reduce time. That doesn’t automatically make the same architecture necessary for SOC 2 for startups. If a startup operates in a small technology environment It may be more beneficial to manually provide evidence and avoid having many integrations.
Software and the Audit Are Different Expenses
When businesses treat all compliance costs in one number, budgeting may become confusing. The SOC 2 cost includes more than just software. The internal staff must spend time preparing policies, fixing gaps in control, arranging proof as well as working with auditors. The audit independent also has its own fee.
When analyzing SOC 2 costs, businesses must be aware of a important distinction in terminology. SOC 2 produces a report that is independent, and not a certification as defined by ISO 27001. However the term “certification cost”, which is often used by businesses when searching for pricing information, is still widely used. Software cannot replace the independent auditor regardless of the terms employed in the budget.
Middle Ground isn’t required to be an Excel Spreadsheet
Spreadsheets can be inexpensive and easy to access, but they become awkward when controls, policies, evidence, ownership and audit communications begin to spread across several documents.
Alternatives to enterprise platforms do not necessarily need to be costly. CertAssist consolidates the SOC2 controls and lets you edit policies and templates for proving. It also provides progress management and auditors with access only to read. A mandatory multi-factor authentication system helps secure access to the system. The stated price for the launch is $225 monthly, with a price that is regular at $375 per month, or $3,999 per year.
No Integration Can Also Mean less exposure
CertAssist is not designed to connect to the systems that run a company. The evidence provided is not given without giving the compliance platform a permanent access to cloud and identity environments.
That approach involves a tradeoff. Information that could have been obtained automatically has to be provided by the business. In the case of a small group however, the extra manual effort may be worth it to facilitate set-up, lower cost of software, and fewer third-party connections.
If Complexity Solves a Problem, Buy It
A growing company could eventually get to the point that the manual process of gathering evidence becomes inefficient. Monitoring continuously and extensive integrations may pay their costs.
The aim of the compliance stack isn’t to be the best one available. The objective is to manage compliance, keep credible evidence and manage independent audits. A well-designed software system should reduce friction in this process. If the implementation of the compliance platform is beginning to feel like a much larger task than the preparation for SOC 2 itself, it could be a tool than what the business currently requires.