The purpose of compliance software is to make an audit easier. However, small-sized businesses are placed in a tough spot. They must set up, configure and master a compliance system before they can organize their SOC 2 control. It raises a good question. What is the point at which the tool designed to reduce compliance become a separate project of its own?
CertAssist developed out of this frustration. Its developers had worked on compliance and audits that were based on SOC 2, ISO 27001, and other frameworks. They frequently encountered platforms brimming with features and integrations. Moreover, firms were still using spreadsheets to manage important pieces of the actual preparation for audits. For smaller companies, a simpler SOC 2 compliance software can occasionally be the best solution.
Begin by listing the Tasks That Have to be completed
If you can eliminate the terms used in software it is much easier to comprehend. An organization must work through the relevant Trust Services Criteria, establish the appropriate controls, establish policies, gather evidence, track progress, and then make that information available for audits conducted by an independent entity. Platforms are a great way to manage these tasks without having to connect them to each cloud service or identity system used by the company.
Integrations that are automated can be extremely valuable. Automating the collection of evidence by large corporations in an environment which is always changing can reduce time. That doesn’t automatically make the same architecture necessary for SOC 2 for startups. Startups with a compact technology environment might prefer to take evidence in a manual manner instead of maintaining numerous integrations.
The cost of an audit and software are two distinct costs.
It can be confusing to budget when businesses make every compliance expense one number. SOC 2 costs include more than just software. Internal staff members must devote time on preparing policies, addressing any gaps in management, arranging the evidence as well as working with auditors. The independent audit has its own set of fees.
Companies who are researching SOC 2 certification costs must be aware of a difference in terminology: SOC 2 produces an independent attestation report, not a certification in the same terms as ISO 27001. ISO 27001. However the term “certification cost” is commonly utilized by businesses searching for price information, is nevertheless commonly used. No matter what terminology is used in the budget, the software doesn’t replace the independent audit.
The Middle Ground Doesn’t have to be A Spreadsheet
Spreadsheets might be familiar and cheap, but they may be uncomfortable if multiple spreadsheets are used to share policies, controls ownership, evidence, ownership and audit communication.
The alternative doesn’t need to be a enterprise-level platform. CertAssist centralizes SOC2 controls and offers editable policies and templates for evidence. It also allows auditors with progress management as well as read-only access. A mandatory multi-factor authentication system helps secure access to the system. The price of its launch is $225 per month with a price that is regular at $375 per month, or $3,999 per year.
In addition, no integration may mean less exposure
CertAssist is not designed to connect to the systems that run an organization. The compliance platform has not been given access to the cloud or to the identity environment.
The method is a compromise. The business must present evidence which could have been captured through the automated system. If you have a small staff However, the added manual work could be justified in exchange for a simpler installation, less software cost as well as fewer connections with third parties.
Complexity Purchase when it Solves a Problem
In a business that is expanding that is growing, the manual collection of evidence could be inefficient. Monitoring continuously and extensive integrations could pay their price.
The purpose of a compliance stack isn’t to be the most technological one on the market. The goal is to organize compliance, maintain credible evidence and manage independent audits. A quality software application should make this process easier. Implementing a compliance platform can be more of a challenge rather than preparing the SOC 2 itself. It may be because the business is not using the same tools.