Software that facilitates audits is referred to as compliance software. However, small businesses may be in a difficult situation: before they are able to organize their SOC 2 controls, they must first implement the system, set up, and then learn an elaborate compliance platform. It raises a good question. What happens when the tool which is intended to lower compliance, turn into a separate task?
CertAssist grew out of that frustration. Its creators had worked on compliance and audits that were based on SOC 2, ISO 27001 as well as other frameworks. They found platforms with many integrations and features, but companies used spreadsheets to handle the most crucial aspects of audit preparation. SOC 2 is simpler SOC 2 compliance software is often the ideal solution for smaller companies.
Begin with the job that has to be accomplished
Get rid of the software jargon, and it’s easier to understand. The company needs to work through Trust Services Criteria and establish the appropriate control measures. They should also record the policies, document evidence, and track their performance, and provide this information to independent auditors. Platforms can be used to organize these tasks without having to link them with each cloud service and identity software that the company utilizes.
Integrations that are automated offer significant value. A large-scale organization that is collecting evidence from a continuously changing environment may save significant time via automation. That doesn’t automatically make the same structure required for SOC 2 for startups. A startup that has a compact technology environment may prefer to present evidence in person and not maintain a multitude of integrations.
The Audit and the Software Are Different Expenses
When companies treat all compliance costs as one number, budgeting becomes unclear. The SOC 2 cost includes more than software. Internal staff members are required to work on making guidelines and addressing any gaps in control. They also manage evidence. The independent audit comes with its own set of fees.
Companies who are researching SOC 2 certification cost must also understand a terminology distinction: SOC 2 produces an independent attestation report instead of a certification in the exact way as ISO 27001. ISO 27001. However, “certification cost” is commonly used when businesses search for pricing data. Whatever language is used in the budget, software can’t replace the independent auditor.
Middle Ground Doesn’t Need to be an Excel Spreadsheet
Spreadsheets can be affordable and easy to use, but they become cumbersome when spread across several files.
The alternative doesn’t have to be a platform for enterprise. CertAssist centralizes the SOC2 controls and provides editable policies as well as templates for proving. It also allows progress management and auditors with access only to read. A mandatory multi-factor authentication system helps secure access to the system. The initial price for the platform is $225 per month. The normal price is $375 per month or $3999 per year.
The same kind of integration that decreases exposure can be accomplished through removing the need for it
CertAssist deliberately doesn’t connect to the operational systems of the company. Evidence is presented but does not grant the platform with access to cloud environments or the identity environment.
That approach involves a tradeoff. The business must present evidence that could have been obtained through an automated system. If the team is small however, the manual labor may be acceptable to facilitate installation, less software cost as well as fewer connections with third parties.
Purchase Complexity When Complexity Resolves a Problem
If a company is growing that is growing, the manual collection of evidence could become inefficient. Continuous monitoring and extensive integrations will be beneficial at the point you are.
In the meantime, the objective isn’t buying the most advanced compliance platform available. It’s important to make sure that the evidence is reliable and organize the compliance process and handle the audit independently. A good software program should reduce friction in this process. Implementing the compliance platform might seem more like a task rather than preparing the SOC 2 itself. It could be that the company does not need as many tools.