A compliance program should aid in auditing. Small businesses are usually in a precarious position. Before they can put in their SOC 2 controls they must first install, configure and master an extensive software for compliance. This raises an interesting question. When does a tool to lower compliance work become an entirely new project?
CertAssist resulted from that frustration. Its founders worked on compliance implementations, audits, and ISO 27001 frameworks. They frequently encountered platforms brimming with features and integrations. Moreover, firms used spreadsheets for crucial elements of auditing process. For smaller organizations, simpler SOC 2 compliance software can sometimes be the more practical answer.
Begin with the job that needs to be done
Eliminate the jargon of software and it becomes easier to understand. A business must go through the pertinent Trust Services Criteria, establish appropriate controls, document guidelines, document evidence, monitor progress, and then make the information available for audits by an independent auditor. Platforms can manage these processes without having to be connected to each cloud service or identity system that the company uses.
Automated integrations have many benefits. Automating the gathering of evidence by a large company in an environment which is always changing can save time. This doesn’t mean that the same infrastructure required to be used for SOC 2 for startups. Startups with a limited technology environment may choose to take evidence in a manual manner instead of managing a number of integrations.
Both the Software and Audit are distinct expenses
When companies treat all compliance costs as one number, budgeting becomes complicated. SOC 2 costs include more than just software. Internal staff have to spend time on preparing policies, addressing any gaps in control, organizing evidence as well as cooperating with auditors. The independent audit is charged its own fees as well.
Companies who are researching SOC 2 certification costs must be aware of a distinction in terminology: SOC 2 produces an independent attestation document, but not a certification in the same way as ISO 27001. But, “certification cost” is frequently used by companies searching for price information. Software cannot substitute for the independent auditor irrespective of the terms used within the budget.
Middle Ground Doesn’t Need to be A Spreadsheet
Spreadsheets can be a familiar tool and cost-effective, but they may be uncomfortable if multiple spreadsheets are used to share policies, controls the ownership of evidence, prove ownership, and audit information.
The alternative does not have to be an enterprise platform. CertAssist provides the SOC 2 controls on a centralized board that can be edited policy and evidence templates as well as progress management and read-only auditor access. Access to the platform is secured by a multi-factor authentication requirement. Its stated launch price is $225 monthly with regular pricing of $375 per month or $3,999 annually.
The absence of integration also means A Less Exposed
CertAssist does not intend to connect to an organization’s operating system. The compliance platform isn’t allowed access to cloud or the identity environment.
The downside is that this strategy requires the use of compromise. The evidence that could have been collected automatically must instead be provided by the business. However, for small teams, the additional work could be justified with a simpler set-up, lower software costs, and less external connections.
Purchase Complexity When Complexity Resolves the issue
A growing organization may eventually arrive at a point where the manual process of gathering evidence becomes inefficient. Continuous monitoring and extensive integrations will be beneficial when you reach that point.
For now, the aim isn’t to purchase the most advanced compliance system available. The objective is to manage compliance, preserve evidence that is credible and make independent audits manageable. Good software should remove the friction out of the process. If the installation of the compliance tool feels like it takes longer than preparing for SOC 2 in itself, then the tool might be too much.