A compliance software should help auditing become easier. However, smaller companies could be caught in a tense situation. Before they can set up their SOC 2 controls, they need to first install an SOC 2 system, then configure and master the intricacy of a compliance platform. This brings up a question. When does the device designed to cut down on compliance work turn into a project that is its own?
CertAssist is the result of this frustration. Its creators had worked on compliance-related implementations and audits for SOC 2, ISO 27001 and various frameworks. The people who developed this software had to contend with platforms that offered a wide range of features and connections, while their employers utilized spreadsheets to create crucial audit documents. The simpler SOC 2 compliance software is sometimes the best solution for smaller organizations.
Start with the task that must be completed
If you can eliminate the software terminology it will be much easier to understand. A company needs to work through the relevant Trust Services Criteria, establish proper controls, create policies, collect evidence, track progress, and make the material accessible for audits conducted by an independent entity. A platform is able to manage those activities without necessarily connecting itself to every cloud-based service or identity system the company uses.
Automated integrations can be extremely valuable. Automation can save a large company a lot of time when it comes to collecting evidence in an ever-changing environment. This doesn’t necessarily mean that the same structure will be required to be used for SOC 2 by startups. If a startup has an insufficient technology environment It may be more beneficial to make the necessary evidence available manually and to avoid the need for many integrations.
The cost of auditing as well as the cost of the software are two distinct costs.
When companies consider all compliance costs as one number, budgeting can be difficult. SOC 2 includes more than simply software. The internal staff must spend time creating policies, fixing gaps in control, organizing evidence and cooperating with auditors. The independent audit is charged its own fees as well.
Companies researching SOC 2 certification cost should also understand a terminology distinction: SOC 2 produces an independent attestation report rather than a certification in the same sense as ISO 27001. However, the phrase “certification cost”, which is often employed by businesses looking for pricing information, is still frequently used. Whatever terminology appears in the budget, software doesn’t replace the independent auditor.
Middle Ground isn’t required to be a Spreadsheet
Spreadsheets can be affordable and comfortable, but they are cumbersome when they are spread across multiple files.
The alternative doesn’t have to be a enterprise-level platform. CertAssist displays the SOC 2 controls on a central board, allows you to edit templates for policies and evidence, along with progress tracking, and auditors will only read. The mandatory multi-factor authentication safeguards access to the platform. The advertised launch price of $225 is followed by regular pricing at $375 per month or $3,999 per year.
The same process that can reduce exposure could also be achieved through removing the need for it
CertAssist deliberately does not connect to the company’s operational systems. The compliance platform is not granted access to the cloud or identity environment.
That approach involves a tradeoff. The company must provide evidence that could have been obtained from the automated system. The additional manual work is reasonable for a tiny team in exchange for a more simple setup, lower cost and fewer connections with third parties.
If Complexity solves a problem, buy It
If a company is growing it is possible that manual evidence collection will be inefficient. Continuous monitoring and massive integrations will pay off at the point you are.
It is not necessary to buy the most complicated compliance system up to the point of. It’s about getting the compliance task well-organized, provide credible evidence, and make the independent audit manageable. A good software program should eliminate friction from that process. If implementing the compliance platform starts to feel like a much larger task than the preparation for SOC 2 itself, it might be just a different tool than the company currently requires.