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Client trust is incredibly valuable — and fragile. Fostering and maintaining that trust requires a careful approach, especially when it comes to managing sensitive data. The SOC 2 framework is ideal for that purpose, but understanding how to become SOC 2 certified can be tricky. This guide tells you everything you need to know about the SOC 2 certification process.
SOC 2 stands for System and Organization Controls 2. This compliance framework revolves around cybersecurity and data privacy. To get SOC 2 certification, your business must follow information management best practices and implement the necessary policies, controls, and processes to safeguard customer data. Companies that achieve SOC 2 compliance demonstrate a high level of data security and operational integrity.
When clients ask if you’re SOC 2 certified, they’re really asking if you’re compliant. To become compliant, you need to create and follow a cybersecurity program that meets SOC 2 Trust Services Criteria for your industry and business operations.
Technically, SOC 2 doesn’t offer an official certification. The American Institute of Certified Public Accounts — the creator of the SOC 2 framework — doesn’t perform inspections or oversee accreditation. Instead, audits are conducted by AICPA-approved CPAs.
When you pass your audit, the CPA provides you with a detailed report that highlights your compliance. SOC 2 attestations from trusted CPA firms have weight, showing clients that your organization and cybersecurity practices are trustworthy.
The SOC 2 framework involves five key pillars: security, availability, integrity, confidentiality, and privacy.
Security is the foundation of SOC 2. It aims to protect systems from unauthorized access, both external and internal. Security controls help prevent breaches that could potentially compromise sensitive data. To get SOC 2 certified, businesses must implement robust security measures such as firewalls and encryption.
System availability is crucial to maintaining service levels and responding to incidents as quickly as possible. To satisfy this requirement, businesses must have processes in place for disaster recovery and data backups.
Your systems must process data accurately, completely, and promptly to provide reliable service to clients. Achieving this requires establishing controls to prevent data from being accidentally or deliberately changed or deleted — except for authorized purposes.
Protecting confidential information is a must for SOC 2 compliance. Business secrets, customer data, legal documents, and financial information must stay confidential to protect individuals and organizations. Both customers and your business benefit from confidentiality policies.
Privacy goes a step further than confidentiality. This principle focuses specifically on protecting the personal data collected, stored, and used by the company. It also covers organizational compliance with relevant privacy laws, such as GDPR and the California Consumer Privacy Act. Business clients and consumers want to know their personal data is handled with the highest level of care.
SOC 2 certification is especially relevant for technology and cloud-based companies that handle sensitive information regularly:
SOC 2 is one of the most popular cybersecurity frameworks in the United States, but it’s not the only option available. Some industries prefer NIST CSF (defense or government contractors) or HITRUST (healthcare organizations). Global organizations often aim for IS0 27001 compliance because of its popularity in the EU.
The SOC 2 certification process requires input and effort from several parties. It’s not just about passing an audit. Real cybersecurity means embedding best practices into the fabric of your business. To maintain SOC 2 compliance in the long run, you need to create a culture of compliance, where everyone is on board with protecting data and organizational integrity.
To become SOC 2 certified, the first step is a readiness assessment. Start by evaluating your current systems, policies, and procedures against the TSC. This helps you identify gaps and corrective measures before your official audit.
You don’t have to build a new framework from scratch, but you should refine internal controls and policies to align with SOC 2 requirements. For example, you might need to improve your security protocols or establish better monitoring and reporting mechanisms. Aim to meet or exceed SOC 2 standards, especially if you have your sights on ISO 27001 certification in the future.
Once you understand how to get SOC 2 certification and know which departments or processes need attention, it’s time to implement the necessary controls. The technical, administrative, and physical safeguards required to meet SOC 2 TSC depend on your organization’s size, your operations (e.g., remote or in-person), and the nature of the data you store.
During the SOC 2 certification process, an independent third party evaluates the effectiveness of your controls against the TSC. Expect a thorough and time-consuming process, often involving documentation reviews, implementation checks, and interviews.
If your organization is pursuing a Type 1 report, the audit will assess control designs at a specific point in time. For a Type 2 report, the audit evaluates controls and implementation over time, usually six months to a year.
After your audit, there are some things you need to follow through on. The SOC 2 report verifies your commitment to data security and operational excellence. It’s important to focus on continuous compliance, as SOC 2 adherence isn’t a set-it-and-leave-it type thing.
To remain compliant with SOC 2 standards, conduct regular internal audits and reviews of security policies. Stay updated with changes in regulatory requirements, as they shift frequently. By putting in this effort, you can secure your data today while maintaining a solid foundation for tomorrow.
The time it takes to become SOC 2 compliant depends on several factors, including your current cybersecurity practices and controls. For most companies, first-time certification can take anywhere from six weeks to six months.
Type 1 audits are shorter SOC 2 audits, focusing solely on the state of your cybersecurity measures at the time of the audit. You can think of them as a safety inspection for your company’s data security practices.
Type 2 audits are usually longer and have a broader focus. Because they evaluate your ongoing cybersecurity practices over an extended period of time, these audits last up to a year. When enterprises talk about getting SOC 2 certified, they are talking about Type 2.
Your SOC 2 report’s validity depends on the type of audit and scope you select. The maximum duration is one year. Documenting SOC 2 compliance is a continual process, which is why streamlined workflows and monitoring tools are so helpful.
Unlike some other certifications, businesses cannot obtain SOC 2 certification on their own. Only an independent audit by a CPA or licensed firm can provide the necessary attestation and report.
Self-certification lacks the objectivity and impartiality that clients and stakeholders want to see. Independent validation is key to building trust with clients, partners, and regulators. An outside opinion helps you strengthen your organization’s security measures.
If the process of getting SOC 2 certified makes you feel overwhelmed, don’t try to tackle it alone. Instead of rushing to prepare for an audit, use Compyl to integrate SOC 2 compliance into your company’s normal workflow. Discover how centralized certification platforms simplify audit prep and implementation. Contact us today.
