Software that helps audits is called compliance software. But small businesses can be put in a precarious position. They must set up or configure a compliance system prior to organising their SOC 2 control. This poses a question. When does the tool intended to decrease compliance, become a separate program?

CertAssist grew out of that frustration. The team behind it worked on compliance implementations, audits and ISO 27001 frameworks. The developers of this software faced numerous challenges with platforms that had many features and integrations, while the companies they worked for utilized spreadsheets to create important audit pieces. For smaller organizations, simpler SOC 2 compliance software can sometimes be the more practical answer.

Begin by listing the Tasks That Must Be Completed

If you eliminate the software terminology, it becomes much easier to understand. It is crucial that a company know the Trust Services Criteria. This involves setting up proper controls, obtaining evidence, evaluating progress, and recording policies. Platforms are a great way to manage these functions without having to connect them to every cloud service and identity software that the company utilizes.

Automated integrations definitely have value. Automating the process of gathering evidence for large corporations in an environment which is always changing can make it easier to save time. However, it doesn’t mean the same system will be needed for SOC 2 by startups. Startups that have a limited technology environment might choose to present evidence in person and not maintain a multitude of integrations.

The cost for the audit and the software are two distinct expenses

If companies view all compliance expenses as a single number, budgeting may become complicated. SOC 2 costs include more than just software. Internal staff spend time creating policies, addressing problems with control, organizing evidence and collaborating together with the auditor. The independent audit is charged its own fees as well.

When looking into SOC 2 cost, businesses must be aware of one crucial distinction in terms. SOC 2 produces a report that is independent and not a certificate as defined by ISO 27001. When companies are searching for pricing, they frequently refer to the cost as “certification costs”. Whatever language is used in the budget, software can’t substitute for the independent auditor.

Middle Ground Doesn’t have to be a Spreadsheet

Spreadsheets can be inexpensive and easy to access However, they can be a bit awkward when the policies, controls, ownership evidence, and audit communications begin to spread across several documents.

The alternative doesn’t have to be a platform for enterprise. CertAssist shows the SOC 2 controls in one central display, and includes editable templates to govern policies and evidence, progress monitoring, and auditors are able to only read. The platform’s access is protected by the requirement for multi-factor authentication. The cost of the platform’s launch is $225 a month. The normal price is $375 monthly or $3999 annually.

The same integration that reduces exposure could also be achieved by removing the need for it

CertAssist does not intentionally connect with the company’s operating systems. Evidence is presented without granting the platform with access to cloud environments as well as the identity environment.

The drawback is that this strategy requires an agreement. Information that could have been obtained automatically has to be supplied by the company. If the team is small However, the added manual work could be justified in exchange for a simpler set-up, lower cost of software and less third-party connections.

If Complexity is the answer to a problem, purchase It

Growing companies may reach the point where the manual process of gathering evidence is no longer efficient. The expense of monitoring and integration can be justified by the improved efficiency.

It’s not necessary to buy the most complex compliance stack at this point. It’s important to keep the evidence credible and organize the compliance process as well as manage the independent audit. The best software will remove any friction from the process. The implementation of the compliance platform could seem more like a task as opposed to preparing the SOC 2 itself. It might be that the company is not using as many tools.