Compliance software is intended to facilitate audits. However, small-sized businesses are put in a precarious position. They must implement or configure a compliance system prior to organising their SOC 2 control. It raises a good question. When did the device which is intended to lower compliance become a separate project?

CertAssist is the product of this frustration. The creators of CertAssist were familiar with compliance audits and implementations of ISO 27001 and SOC 2 frameworks. The developers of this software faced numerous challenges with platforms that came with many functions and integrations. However, their employers utilized spreadsheets to create important audit pieces. SOC 2 software that is simple can be better for smaller enterprises.

Start with the task you need to complete

If you remove the terms used in software, it becomes much easier to comprehend. It is important that companies comprehend the Trust Services Criteria. This involves setting up appropriate controls, collecting evidence, keeping track of developments and documenting policies. Platforms can handle these functions without having to be connected with all cloud services or identity systems that companies use.

Automated integrations certainly have value. Automation can save a large organization lots of time in collecting evidence in a changing environment. This doesn’t necessarily mean that the same technology is required for SOC 2 by startups. If a startup operates in only a tiny technology infrastructure, it may be preferable to provide the evidence manually and not have a lot of integrations.

The Audit and Software are Different Expenses

When companies consider all compliance costs as a single number, budgeting becomes unclear. The SOC 2 cost includes more than software. Internal employees are involved in preparing policies, addressing weaknesses in control, organizing evidence, and working together with the auditor. Independent audits also have their own fees.

When looking into SOC 2 costs, businesses should be aware of a crucial distinction in terms. SOC 2 produces a report that is independent, and is not a certification as specified by ISO 27001. But, “certification cost” is typically used by businesses looking for pricing information. Whatever the terminology used in the budget, software can’t substitute for the independent auditor.

The Middle Ground Doesn’t have to be an Excel Spreadsheet

Spreadsheets are inexpensive and familiar But they aren’t as easy when policies, controls, evidence, ownership and auditing communications start to be spread across several documents.

It is not necessary to utilize an enterprise platform as a substitute. CertAssist consolidates the SOC2 controls and lets you edit policies and templates for evidence. It also offers progress management and auditors with access only to read. Multi-factor authentication is mandatory to ensure access to the system. The stated price for the launch is $225 per month with a price that is regular at $375 monthly, or $3999 annually.

The absence of integration also means less exposure

CertAssist does not intend to connect with a company’s operating systems. The evidence is presented without granting the compliance platform standing access to cloud and identity environments.

This method has its drawbacks. The company must prove that could have been collected from the automated system. In the case of small teams, the additional work could be justified in exchange with a simple set-up and lower costs for software and the absence of external connections.

Buy Complexity When Complexity Solves the problem

Growing companies may reach a point where the manual process of collecting evidence becomes inefficient. Continuous monitoring and massive integrations will pay off at the point you are.

The objective of the compliance stack isn’t to be the most technological one on the market. It’s about getting the compliance work organized, maintain solid evidence, and make the independent audit manageable. Good software should remove the friction out of the process. The implementation of the compliance platform could be more of a challenge rather than the preparation of the SOC 2 itself. It could be that the company is not using more tools.