Does your startup handle a lot of sensitive customer data? If you answered yes, you know that the way it is handled, stored and secured is more important than ever. Cyberthreats and breaches are constantly on the rise and the consequences can be devastating. Not only could it cost your company millions in fines and damage control, your company could be facing some serious reputational damage, losing the valuable trust of customers, something a budding startup just can’t afford.
If you’re wanting to secure the long term success of your startup and show customers, partners and stakeholders that you take their data safety and security seriously, SOC 2 compliance is a non-negotiable. It’s the gold standard of data security and protection. It may seem tricky to navigate and like a lot of work, but with the right automation software, it can be a seamless and painless process. So, we have put a list together of the top 5 SOC 2 compliance software tools for your startup. Let’s take a look!
Best SOC 2 Compliance Software Tools in 2024
1. Scytale
Scytale might be relatively new to the compliance scene, but they are leading the pack, often being regarded as the gold standard for B2B startups. Their flexibility in tailoring SOC 2 compliance solutions means that smaller companies get the support they need. With features including an intuitive interface and hands-on guidance from their inhouse compliance features, the daunting task of SOC 2 compliance becomes a lot less intimidating.
Features like automated evidence collection, continuous control monitoring, a custom policy builder, and seamless integration with popular tools make Scytale standout from the compliance crowd. Navigating compliance and cybersecurity can be overwhelming, but Scytale’s solutions simplify the process dramatically, lightening the workload and ensuring peace of mind (especially for startups who are already feeling the pressure from every direction).
2. LogicGate
LogicGate is renowned for their holistic approach to GRC (Governance, Risk and Compliance). Their centralized dashboard gives users a comprehensive view of their compliance status all under one roof, making it a particularly effective and robust solution. LogicGate stands out for their flexibility and customizable features like risk and policy management and automated evidence collection. For startups with specific or complex compliance needs, this flexibility would make all the difference.
While the options for customization are extensive, it can come with a learning curve, requiring extra resources, training, and time which startups may not be able to afford. It is also important to note that SOC 2 is not LogicGate’s primary focus. So, companies looking for a solution required solely for SOC 2 and its specificities may find the software falls short and is not focused enough.
3. Jupiter One
When it comes to automated evidence collection, Jupiter One shines bright. Their platform allows for visibility across all cloud and on-premise assets. This means that all connections between assets and potential vulnerabilities are not only easily picked up, they are understood. Users are alerted to any significant changes or non compliance activities, meaning any potential risk events or non-compliance activities are picked up timeously. The platform will also automate all evidence collection for your SOC 2 audit, which is very helpful for startups who lack the time and resources to do this by hand.
For startups looking for a more tailored compliance solution, Jupiter One may not be specialized enough. While they do excel in asset visibility and vulnerability management with their innovative approach and centralized platform, they may fall short for those needing more focused and specialized SOC 2 guidance.
4. AuditBoard
AuditBoard is a solid risk management platform that helps with various compliance needs, including SOC 2. With automated evidence collection and risk assessment, the SOC 2 process is made much smoother. You can collect evidence in one place, use standardized risk templates, and automate workflows to keep everything running smoothly. Plus, its integration capabilities mean you can tackle multiple compliance frameworks at the same time.
Customers have reported that setting up the tool can be a bit tricky, and understanding which controls to use and when can be confusing. The platform’s effectiveness also heavily depends on your existing internal processes, so, for companies like start-ups, this may be a bit of a hindrance.
5. Exabeam
Exabeam is known for their holistic and specialized focus on TDIR (threat detection, investigation, and response) . The Exabeam Security Operations Platform uses AI and automation to simplify security operations workflows, making the manual and often burdensome compliance process a lot more streamlined. With comprehensive compliance features like prebuilt compliance dashboards and automated reporting, as well as enhanced security monitoring through real time non-compliance alerts and risk scoring capabilities, Exabeam offers a comprehensive compliance solution.
It is worth mentioning, however, that while Exabeam is excellent at identifying threats and responding to them, it does not focus much on the small gaps in the complex management process. While they do excel in incident response and threat detection, they may not be the ideal choice for guiding companies through the pre and post audit nitty gritty of getting SOC 2 compliant.
Conclusion
Navigating the SOC 2 compliance landscape can be overwhelming and intimidating, but it is a process that startups just can’t afford to ignore. Prioritizing customer and stakeholder trust by keeping crucial data safe and secure, not only guarantees trust and confidence in your startup, but secures its long term success.
The 5 SOC 2 compliance automation tools mentioned above each offer their own unique strengths and capabilities. When looking for the right tool for your startup, it’s important to weigh the important factors like customization, integration capabilities, ease of use, and specific compliance needs against your company’s unique requirements. With the right tool behind you, you can tackle the SOC 2 compliance process with ease, setting you apart from the competition.
