SOC 2

What is SOC 2?

SOC 2 (System and Organization Controls 2) is an audit framework developed by the AICPA that evaluates how service organisations protect customer data. Unlike ISO 27001 certification, SOC 2 results in an attestation report issued by a licensed CPA firm after examining controls against the Trust Services Criteria. SOC 2 reports are the most commonly requested compliance artefact by enterprise buyers evaluating SaaS vendors, cloud providers, and managed service providers.

What is the difference between SOC 2 Type I and Type II?

SOC 2 Type I evaluates the design and implementation of controls at a specific point in time. SOC 2 Type II evaluates both the design and operating effectiveness of controls over a period of time, typically 6 to 12 months. Type II reports carry significantly more weight with enterprise customers because they demonstrate sustained compliance, not just a snapshot. Most organisations start with Type I to validate their control design, then progress to Type II.

What are the 5 Trust Services Criteria?

The Trust Services Criteria define five categories of controls. Security (Common Criteria) is mandatory for every SOC 2 audit. The remaining four are optional and selected based on the nature of the service:

1. Security (Common Criteria): Protection of information and systems against unauthorised access, unauthorised disclosure, and damage. This is required for all SOC 2 engagements.
2. Availability: The system is available for operation and use as committed or agreed. Critical for SaaS platforms with uptime SLAs.
3. Processing Integrity: System processing is complete, valid, accurate, timely, and authorised. Important for financial transaction processors.
4. Confidentiality: Information designated as confidential is protected as committed or agreed. Relevant for service providers handling trade secrets or proprietary data.
5. Privacy: Personal information is collected, used, retained, disclosed, and disposed of in conformity with commitments. Aligns closely with GDPR and CCPA requirements.

How long does SOC 2 compliance take?

For a startup or mid-sized company, achieving SOC 2 Type I typically takes 2 to 4 months from initial gap assessment. The Type II observation period then requires an additional 6 to 12 months. Key steps include: defining scope and selecting trust services categories, performing a readiness assessment, implementing controls and evidence collection processes, engaging a CPA firm, and undergoing the examination. Companies using compliance automation platforms can reduce the preparation timeline by 30 to 50%.

How does SOC 2 map to ISO 27001?

SOC 2 and ISO 27001 share approximately 70 to 80% of their control objectives. The primary difference is in the assessment model: SOC 2 is an attestation by a CPA firm, while ISO 27001 is a certification by an accredited body. Our database contains detailed control-to-control mappings between SOC 2 and 547 other frameworks, allowing you to identify exactly which ISO 27001 Annex A controls satisfy which SOC 2 criteria and vice versa.