SOC 2
Definition
Service Organization Control 2 - auditing standard for security, availability, confidentiality, and processing integrity of customer data.
Use Cases
- Amazon Web Services (AWS): Providing enterprise customers with third-party assurance that AWS has controls in place for security and availability. — AWS undergoes independent audits and makes SOC reports available to customers through AWS Artifact, which centralizes access to compliance documentation. (Helps customers speed up vendor risk reviews and meet internal or regulatory assurance requirements when adopting AWS services.)
- Microsoft Azure: Supporting customer compliance and procurement requirements by providing audit reports for Azure cloud services. — Microsoft completes third-party audits and provides SOC reports and other compliance documentation via the Microsoft Service Trust Portal. (Reduces friction in enterprise sales cycles and enables customers to map Azure controls to their own compliance and risk management programs.)
- Google Cloud: Demonstrating that Google Cloud has audited controls aligned to the Trust Services Criteria for customers with strict security and availability requirements. — Google Cloud completes independent SOC audits and provides SOC reports through its compliance resources and customer-facing documentation access processes. (Improves customer confidence and supports due diligence for regulated and security-conscious organizations adopting Google Cloud.)
Frequently Asked Questions
- What’s the difference between SOC 2 and ISO 27001?
- SOC 2 is an audit report focused on how well a service provider’s controls meet the AICPA Trust Services Criteria over a period of time (often shown as a Type I or Type II report). ISO 27001 is an international standard for building and certifying an information security management system (ISMS). In practice, SOC 2 is commonly requested by US customers and buyers, while ISO 27001 is widely recognized globally; many companies pursue both.
- When should I use SOC 2?
- Pursue SOC 2 when you provide a service that handles customer data (especially B2B SaaS, cloud platforms, managed services) and your customers ask for third-party assurance of your security controls. It’s especially useful when selling to mid-market and enterprise customers, responding to security questionnaires, or when you need a structured way to prove your controls for security, availability, and confidentiality.
- How much does SOC 2 cost?
- Costs vary widely based on scope, readiness, and auditor rates. Typical cost drivers include: whether you do Type I (point-in-time) vs Type II (operating effectiveness over a period, often 6–12 months), number of systems and products in scope, complexity of your infrastructure, how mature your policies and evidence collection are, and whether you use a compliance automation tool. Many organizations budget for both audit fees and internal time to implement controls and gather evidence.
Category: security
Difficulty: advanced
Related Terms
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