A compliance program should make auditing easier. But small-sized companies may be in a difficult position: before they can organize their SOC 2 controls, they must first implement or configure an elaborate compliance platform. This leads to a crucial question. At what point does the tool designed to reduce compliance work turn into a initiative of its own?
CertAssist is the result of this frustration. Its founders worked on compliance implementations, audits, and ISO 27001 frameworks. They frequently encountered platforms brimming with integrations and features while firms used spreadsheets for essential elements of auditing process. Simpler SOC 2 compliance software is sometimes the best solution for smaller businesses.
Start With the Job That Must Be Completed
If you can eliminate the software terminology it will be much easier to understand. The company must work through Trust Services Criteria and establish appropriate control measures. They should also record the policy, collect evidence, and track their progress, and provide this information to independent auditors. Platforms can be used to streamline these activities without having to connect them to each cloud service or identity system the company has in place.
Automated integrations certainly have value. A large-scale organization that is collecting evidence from a continuously changing environment can significantly cut down on time by automating. That doesn’t automatically make the same architecture necessary for SOC 2 for startups. Startups operating in a smaller technology environment may prefer to gather evidence by hand, rather than maintain numerous integrations.
Both the Software and Audit are distinct expenses
Budgeting becomes confusing when companies consider every compliance expense as one number. SOC 2 includes more than simply software. The internal staff must spend time on preparing policies, addressing any gaps in control, arranging evidence as well as working with auditors. Independent audits also have their own costs.
Companies looking into SOC 2 certification costs should also understand a terminology distinction: SOC 2 produces an independent attestation report rather than an actual certification in the same terms as ISO 27001. However the term “certification cost” is commonly employed by companies when looking for pricing information, is still widely used. Whatever language is used in the budget, software can’t replace the independent auditor.
The Middle Ground Doesn’t Have to be a Spreadsheet
Spreadsheets are inexpensive and familiar But they aren’t as easy when controls, policies, evidence, ownership, and auditing communications start to be spread across multiple documents.
Alternatives to enterprise-grade platforms don’t necessarily have to be expensive. CertAssist shows the SOC 2 controls in an integrated board. It also allows you to edit templates for policies and evidence, progress tracking, and auditors can only view. Multi-factor authentication is needed for security purposes to ensure the system is secure. The initial price for launch of $225 is to be followed by regular pricing at $375 per month, or $3,999 per year.
In addition, no integration could mean More Exposure
CertAssist does not intentionally connect with the company’s operating systems. The evidence provided is not given without giving the compliance platform access to identity and cloud environments.
The drawback is that this method requires an arrangement. The company has to provide evidence which could have been captured by the automated system. The manual effort is reasonable for a tiny group in exchange for easier setup, less expense and less ties with third parties.
Buy Complexity If Complexity Solves the issue
A growing company could eventually arrive at a point where manual evidence gathering becomes inefficient. The cost of continuous monitoring and integration is justified by the increased effectiveness.
The aim of a compliance stack isn’t to be the best one that is available. The objective is to manage the compliance process, collect evidence and make independent audits manageable. Good software should remove friction from the process. Implementing a compliance platform can feel more like a project than preparing the SOC 2 itself. It might be that the company is not using as many tools.