A compliance software will help auditing become easier. However, smaller companies could find themselves in a strange situation. Before they can arrange their SOC 2 controls, they first must implement, configure, and learn an elaborate compliance system. This raises an interesting question. At what point does the device designed to cut down on compliance become a separate initiative of its own?

CertAssist is the result of this anger. Its developers had worked on compliance-related implementations and audits for SOC 2, ISO 27001, and other frameworks. They frequently encountered platforms brimming with features and integrations, while companies used spreadsheets for crucial elements of audit preparation. For smaller enterprises, simpler SOC 2 compliance software can at times be the most practical solution.

Start by identifying the tasks that Need to Be Done

Eliminate the jargon of software and it is simpler to comprehend. A business must go through the pertinent Trust Services Criteria, establish proper controls, create policies, record evidence, monitor progress, and then make that information available to audit by an independent third party. A platform can help organize these tasks without having to connect to every cloud service or identity system the company uses.

Integrations that are automated have significant value. A large company that gathers evidence across a constantly changing environment may save significant time by automating. However, this doesn’t mean the same technology is required for SOC 2 in startups. If a startup is operating in a small technology environment it might be better to create evidence by hand and avoid having many integrations.

The Audit and Software are Two Different Costs

Budgeting becomes difficult when companies consider each compliance expense a separate number. The SOC 2 cost includes more than software. Internal staff have to spend time creating policies, fixing gaps in management, arranging the evidence as well as working with auditors. The audit independent also has its own fee.

Businesses looking for information about SOC 2 Certification Costs must be aware of the differentiating the two: SOC 2 is not a certificate in the sense of ISO 27001. Instead, it is an independent attestation, not the standard certification. However, the term “certification cost” is frequently employed by businesses looking for price details, is still widely used. Whatever terminology appears in the budget, software does not substitute for the independent auditor.

Middle Ground Doesn’t Need to be a Spreadsheet

Spreadsheets are cheap and easy to use They are easy to use, but they can become a little awkward when policies, controls, ownership, evidence, and auditing communications start to be spread across several files.

Alternatives to enterprise-grade platforms don’t necessarily need to cost a lot. CertAssist shows the SOC 2 controls in the central board. It offers editable templates for policies and evidence, along with progress monitoring, and auditors are able to only read. Multi-factor authentication is essential to secure the platform. The cost of the platform’s launch is $225 per month. The regular price is $375 a month or $3999 per year.

No Integration Can Also Mean More Exposure

CertAssist intentionally doesn’t connect to an organization’s operational systems. The evidence provided is not given without giving the platform with standing access to identity and cloud environments.

The method is a compromise. It is the duty of the business to provide evidence which could have been collected automatically. The extra manual work is acceptable for a small group in exchange for simplified setup, a lower cost and less connections to third party.

Purchase Complexity when it solves a Problem

An expanding company could eventually reach a point where the manual process of collecting evidence is no longer efficient. The expense of continuous monitoring and integration can be justified by the improved efficiency.

It’s not necessary to buy the most complex compliance platform until then. It’s to get the compliance process well-organized, provide credible evidence, and make the independent audit manageable. A well-designed software system should reduce friction in this process. If the implementation of the compliance platform begins to appear like a more complex project than preparing for SOC 2 itself, it may be simply a more powerful tool than what the business currently requires.