The purpose of compliance software is to help audits go more smoothly. Small businesses are usually in an awkward position. Before they can begin implementing their SOC 2 controls they must first install, configure and master the complexities of a compliance system. It raises a good question. When does a tool to make compliance easier turn into a new project?
CertAssist developed out of this frustration. Its founders had worked on compliance audits and implementations in SOC 2, ISO 27001 and various frameworks. They repeatedly encountered platforms packed with features and integrations, while businesses still rely on spreadsheets for essential elements of audit preparation. For smaller organizations, simpler SOC 2 compliance software can sometimes be the more practical answer.
Begin with the Tasks that Must Be Completed
If you can eliminate the terms used in software it is much easier to comprehend. The company needs to work through Trust Services Criteria and establish the appropriate controls. They must also create policies, gather evidence, monitor their development, and provide this information to independent auditors. A platform can help organize these activities without necessarily connecting itself to every cloud-based service or identity system the business uses.
Automated integrations definitely have value. A large-scale organization that is collecting data across a constantly changing environment can save time by automating. This doesn’t mean that the same structure mandatory for SOC 2 for startups. Startups with a limited technology environment may choose to record evidence on their own, rather than maintain numerous integrations.
The Audit and the Software Are Two Different Costs
Budgeting becomes difficult when companies consider each compliance expense separate numbers. The SOC 2 cost includes more than software. Internal staff members must devote time preparing policies, fixing gaps in control, organizing evidence and working with auditors. Independent audits have their own set of fees.
Companies looking into SOC 2 certification costs must be aware of a difference in terminology: SOC 2 produces an independent attestation report instead of a certification in the exact way as ISO 27001. Nevertheless, “certification cost” is frequently used by companies searching for pricing information. Whatever terms are used in the budget, software does not replace the independent auditor.
Middle Ground Doesn’t have to be an Excel Spreadsheet
Spreadsheets are inexpensive and familiar, but they become awkward when policies, controls, ownership, evidence, and audit communications begin to spread across multiple documents.
Alternatives to enterprise platforms do not necessarily need to cost a lot. CertAssist centralizes the SOC2 control and allows users to edit policies and templates for evidence. It also allows auditing and progress management, as well as auditors with read-only access. A mandatory multi-factor authentication system helps secure access to the platform. The platform’s launch price is $225 per month. Regular pricing is $375 per month, or $3999 annually.
No Integration Can Also Mean A Less Exposed
CertAssist does not intentionally connect with a company’s operating systems. Evidence is provided without giving the compliance platform standing access to identity and cloud environments.
That approach involves a tradeoff. The evidence that could have been collected automatically must instead be provided by the business. The manual effort is reasonable for a tiny team, but it will result in a simplified setup, a lower cost and less connections to third parties.
Purchase Complexity when it solves the issue
In a business that is expanding, manual evidence collection may be inefficient. The cost of continuous monitoring and integration is justified by the increased efficiency.
The goal of the compliance stack is not to be the most sophisticated one in the market. It’s to get the compliance task organized, maintain reliable evidence, and allow for an independent audit to be managed. Good software should remove the friction from the process. If the installation of the compliance platform is a feeling that it takes longer than the preparation for SOC 2 in itself, it could be too much.