Software developed to aid in audits is called compliance software. But small-sized companies may be put in a tricky situation: before they are able to set up their SOC 2 controls, they first have to implement or configure an extensive compliance system. It raises a good question. What happens when the tool that is designed to reduce compliance, turn into a separate task?
CertAssist was a result of this frustration. Its founders had worked on compliance audits and implementations in SOC 2, ISO 27001 and other frameworks. The creators of this software were repeatedly confronted with platforms that had many features and integrations, while their employers used spreadsheets to write important audit pieces. For smaller organizations, simpler SOC 2 compliance software can occasionally be the best option.
Start With the Job That Must Be Completed
If you take away the language used by software it is much easier to comprehend. A company needs to work through the relevant Trust Services Criteria, establish appropriate controls, document policies, collect evidence, monitor progress, and then make that information available to audit by an independent third party. Platforms are a great way to manage these tasks without having to link them with each cloud service or identity system that the company uses.
Integrations that are automated are extremely beneficial. A large-scale organization that is collecting evidence across a constantly changing environment can save time via automation. However, it doesn’t mean the same architecture will be required to be used for SOC 2 by startups. Startups operating in a smaller technology environment might prefer to gather evidence by hand, rather than maintain numerous integrations.
The Software and the Audit are two different costs.
It is difficult to budget when companies take each compliance expense as a separate number. The SOC 2 cost includes more than software. Internal staff members must devote time creating policies, addressing gaps in control, arranging proof and working with auditors. The independent audit is charged its own fees as well.
Companies researching SOC 2 certification cost should be aware of a distinction in terminology: SOC 2 produces an independent attestation report rather than a certification in the exact way as ISO 27001. ISO 27001. However, the term “certification cost” is frequently employed by companies when looking for price information, is still frequently used. Whatever language is used in the budget, software can’t replace the independent auditor.
The Middle Ground Doesn’t Need to Be A Spreadsheet
Spreadsheets are cheap and easy to use But they aren’t as easy when guidelines, controls evidence, ownership, and auditing communication start spreading across several documents.
The alternative doesn’t have to be an enterprise platform. CertAssist centralizes SOC2 controls and lets you edit policies and templates for evidence. It also gives auditors with progress management as well as access that is read-only. Multi-factor authentication is required to safeguard the platform. The cost of the platform’s launch is $225 a month. Regular pricing is $375 per month, or $3999 annually.
A lack of integration could also mean less exposure
CertAssist does not intentionally connect to an organization’s operating system. The evidence is presented without giving the platform with access to cloud environments as well as identities environments.
The disadvantage is that this method requires an agreement. The business must present evidence that could have been obtained from the automated system. If the team is small However, the added manual labor may be acceptable in exchange for a simpler setup, lower software expense and less connections to third party sources.
Buy Complexity when it solves the issue
An expanding company may get to the point that the manual process of gathering evidence is no longer efficient. That’s when continuous monitoring and extensive integrations can earn their fees.
The purpose of a compliance stack isn’t to be the most sophisticated one available. It’s important to maintain the credibility of the evidence, organize the compliance work, and manage the independent audit. A well-designed software system should make this process easier. Implementing the compliance platform might feel more like a project than preparing the SOC 2 itself. It could be that the company doesn’t require as many tools.