A software for compliance should simplify auditing. Small companies are often stuck in an awkward situation. Before they can begin implementing their SOC 2 controls they must first install, configure and master a complex platform for compliance. This raises an interesting question. What are the conditions that make a tool to reduce compliance work turn into a new project?
CertAssist was conceived out of frustration. Its creators had worked on compliance and audits that were based on SOC 2, ISO 27001 and other frameworks. They repeatedly encountered platforms packed with features and integrations, while companies still relied on spreadsheets for crucial elements of preparation for audits. Simpler SOC 2 compliance software is often the most effective solution for smaller enterprises.
Start With the Job That Has to be Done
Remove the software jargon and it is easier to understand. It is essential that businesses comprehend the Trust Services Criteria. This involves establishing adequate controls, gathering evidence, keeping track of the progress of the process and establishing policies. A platform can help organize these processes without having to be connected to every cloud service or identity system that the company uses.
Automated integrations certainly have value. An organization that collects evidence from a continuously changing environment could save significant time via automation. That doesn’t automatically make the same architecture necessary for SOC 2 for startups. Startups that have a smaller technology infrastructure may choose to present evidence in person and avoid the hassle of maintaining multiple integrations.
The cost of auditing and that of the software are two different expenses
When companies treat all compliance expenses as a single number, budgeting can be difficult. SOC 2 includes more than simply software. The internal staff must spend time in preparing policies, addressing weaknesses in control, arranging proof as well as working with auditors. Independent audits are also charged their own costs.
Businesses looking for information on SOC 2 certification costs must also understand a terminology distinction: SOC 2 produces an independent attestation document, but not a certification in the exact terms as ISO 27001. ISO 27001. But, “certification cost” is commonly used when businesses search for pricing data. Software cannot substitute for an independent auditor, regardless of the terms employed within the budget.
Middle Ground Doesn’t Need to be a Spreadsheet
Spreadsheets can be a familiar tool and cost-effective, but they can become a source of discomfort when multiple files are used to convey policies, control evidence, ownership, and audit communication.
The alternative doesn’t need be an enterprise platform. CertAssist displays the SOC 2 controls in the central board. It allows you to edit templates for policies and evidence, along with progress monitoring, and auditors are able to only see. Multi-factor authentication is needed to secure the platform. The cost of the platform’s launch is $225 a month. Regular pricing is $375 a month or $3999 annually.
The absence of integration also means More Exposure
CertAssist intentionally does not connect to the company’s operational systems. It provides evidence without giving the platform with standing access to identity and cloud environments.
This approach is not without its tradeoffs. It is the responsibility of the business to provide evidence which could have been collected automatically. If you have a small staff, however, the additional manual effort may be worth it in exchange for simpler installation, less software cost and less connections to third party sources.
Purchase Complexity when Complexity Solves a Problem
If a company is growing, manual evidence collection may be inefficient. That’s when continuous monitoring and extensive integrations will pay their fees.
It is not necessary to buy the most complex compliance stack until then. It’s about getting the compliance process done, preserve credible evidence, and make the independent audit manageable. Good software should remove friction from this process. Implementing the compliance platform may seem more like a task rather than the preparation of the SOC 2 itself. It may be because the business doesn’t require more tools.