SOC 2

System and Organization Controls (SOC) reports play a critical role in third-party risk management, with SOC 2 standing out as the go-to compliance framework for Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) providers and other service organizations. But even if your team has started down the road to SOC 2 readiness, there’s one step that can make or break your audit success: a SOC 2 gap assessment.

In a digital landscape where trust drives business, startups can’t afford to treat data security as an afterthought. Early-stage companies face intense pressure to prove their reliability—to customers, investors, and partners—all while scaling quickly and managing limited resources. Achieving SOC 2 compliance is more than a checkbox exercise; it’s a strategic signal that your organization takes data protection seriously and is built for sustainable growth.

In today’s interconnected business environment, companies increasingly rely on third-party vendors to enhance their operations, streamline services, and improve efficiencies. However, this dependency comes with significant risks. Third-party risk management (TPRM) has become crucial as organizations seek to protect sensitive data and maintain regulatory compliance. One of the most effective frameworks for managing third-party risk is the Service Organization Control 2 (SOC 2) report. In this blog post, we’ll explore how SOC 2 helps ensure vendor security and bolster third-party risk management.

Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) businesses handle sensitive information for their clients, thus ensuring robust security measures is critical. One way SaaS companies can demonstrate their commitment to security is through SOC 2 compliance. SOC 2 (System and Organization Controls 2) is a framework that outlines how organizations should manage customer data based on five “trust service criteria”: security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy. Let’s explore how SOC 2 compliance specifically benefits SaaS providers.

The System and Organization Controls (SOC) 2 report, developed by the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA), has become a crucial standard for evaluating and demonstrating an organization’s commitment to security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy. These five principles, known as the Five Trust Services Criteria, are the cornerstone of SOC 2 compliance and offer a framework for companies to build and maintain trust with their stakeholders. Keep reading to discover what the Five Trust Services Criteria are and what they mean for your business.

Service organizations seek out SOC reports to prove to current and future clients that any data trusted with the service organization is safe. SOC 2 reports, in particular, provide insights into a company’s security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy—the five Trust Services Criteria (TSC) prioritized by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA).

Depending on your business and clientele, you may need to comply with security requirements established by the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA). The System and Organization Controls (SOC) numbered 1, 2, and 3 apply to service organizations, particularly those that store, process, or come into contact with consumer data.

In the complex realm of cybersecurity, many organizations face the challenge of navigating a multitude of frameworks and standards to protect their data. Among these, SOC 2 compliance stands out, especially for service-oriented businesses. Developed by the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA), SOC 2 provides essential guidelines for managing and securing client data. Understanding SOC 2 and achieving compliance can be daunting, but it’s crucial for safeguarding sensitive information and demonstrating your commitment to security.

All SOC 2 attestations are audits using the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants’ (AICPA’s) System and Organization Controls (SOC) frameworks. Any organization considering SOC compliance must choose between various SOC levels (i.e., SOC 1, SOC 2, and SOC 3) and the Types of SOC audits (i.e., Type 1 or Type 2). Read on to learn what differentiates a SOC 2 Type 1 attestation and SOC 2 Type 2 attestation and which is best for your organization.

The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) oversees several certification programs for service organizations, including those for software-as-a-service (SaaS) providers. If clients are uncertain about the SaaS company’s security measures protecting their data, producing a System and Organization Controls (SOC) 2 Type 2 report provides concrete trust assurance.