Compliance software is supposed to help audits go more smoothly. Small companies are often in a precarious position. Before they can put in their SOC 2 controls they must first install, configure and learn a complex platform for compliance. This raises an interesting question. What are the conditions that make a tool to make compliance easier turn into an entirely new project?

CertAssist grew out of that frustration. Its developers had worked on compliance audits and implementations in SOC 2, ISO 27001 and other frameworks. The program’s creators were repeatedly confronted with platforms that offered a wide range of features and connections, while the organizations they worked for utilized spreadsheets to create crucial audit documents. The simpler SOC 2 compliance software is often the most effective solution for smaller enterprises.

Begin by identifying the job you need to complete

Strip away the software terminology and the fundamental requirement will become simpler to comprehend. It is vital that businesses comprehend the Trust Services Criteria. This involves establishing the right controls, gathering evidence, keeping track of progress and documenting policies. A platform can help organize these tasks without having to connect to each cloud-based service or identity system the firm uses.

Automated integrations can be beneficial. Automation can save a huge company a lot of time when it comes to collecting evidence in a changing environment. However, this doesn’t mean the same structure is required to be used for SOC 2 in startups. Startups that have a small technology infrastructure might prefer to collect evidence manually instead of maintaining a multitude of integrations.

The Software and the Audit are distinct expenses

It is difficult to budget when companies take each compliance expense as a separate number. SOC 2 costs include more than software. Internal staff members are responsible for making policies, addressing problems with control, organizing evidence, and working together with the auditor. The independent audit also has its own fees.

Companies researching SOC 2 certification cost should also understand a terminology distinction: SOC 2 produces an independent attestation report rather than a certification in the same sense as ISO 27001. However, “certification cost” is frequently used by companies searching for pricing information. Whatever term is used in a budget, software doesn’t replace the independent audit.

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

Spreadsheets can be cheap and easy to use, but they become cumbersome when they are spread across many files.

The alternative doesn’t need be a platform for enterprise. CertAssist centralizes the SOC2 control and allows users to edit policies and templates for evidence. It also offers auditors with progress management as well as access that is read-only. Multi-factor authentication is essential to safeguard the platform. The stated price for the launch is $225 per month with a price that is regular at $375 per month or $3,999 annually.

A lack of integration can also mean Less Exposure

CertAssist deliberately does not connect to the systems that run a business. Evidence is provided without giving the platform with standing access to cloud and identity environments.

This method involves a tradeoff. The business must present evidence which could have been captured from the automated system. The additional manual work is reasonable for a tiny team in exchange of a easier setup, less expense and fewer relationships with third parties.

If Complexity is the answer to a problem, purchase It

A growing company may eventually get to a point at which the manual method of gathering evidence can become unproductive. Monitoring and monitoring continuously and integration could be justified by the higher efficiency.

The purpose of a compliance stack isn’t to be the most advanced one that is available. It’s to get the compliance tasks well-organized, provide credible evidence, and make the independent audit manageable. Good software should remove the friction from that process. Implementing the compliance platform might be more of a challenge rather than preparing the SOC 2 itself. It may be because the business is not using numerous tools.