SOC 2
SOC 2 is a reporting framework that evaluates how service providers manage data based on five trust service principles: security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy.
Table of Contents
What is SOC 2?
Developed by the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA), SOC 2 is not a certification but an auditing framework. It ensures that service organizations demonstrate strong internal controls around customer data.
SOC 2 reports are divided into:
- Type I: evaluates controls at a single point in time.
- Type II: evaluates controls over a defined period, usually six months to a year.
Scope and applicability
SOC 2 applies to service organizations that handle customer data, including:
- SaaS providers.
- Cloud and hosting companies.
- Managed service providers (MSPs).
- Payment and fintech service organizations.
It is especially critical for B2B providers where customer trust depends on security assurances.
Key requirements
SOC 2 evaluates controls against five trust service principles:
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Security: protection against unauthorized access.
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Availability: systems are operational and resilient.
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Processing integrity: system operations are complete, valid, and accurate.
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Confidentiality: sensitive data is protected.
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Privacy: personal data is handled according to commitments.
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Enforcement and penalties: SOC 2 is voluntary, but lack of compliance can mean losing contracts or business opportunities, as many enterprises require SOC 2 reports for vendor onboarding.
Impact on SecOps
For SecOps, SOC 2 drives operational rigor:
- Logging and monitoring: SOCs must produce detailed evidence of monitoring activities.
- Incident response: SOC 2 Type II requires proof of consistent incident handling over time.
- Documentation: auditors require extensive documentation of policies, processes, and security measures.
- Customer trust: passing SOC 2 audits demonstrates security maturity to customers and partners.
SOC 2 enforces discipline in operational practices, aligning them with customer expectations of security and resilience.