Key Takeaways
- Protecting Client Data: SOC 2® compliance is a vital framework for organizations that store, process, or transmit customer data, detailing how to protect information from unauthorized access and vulnerabilities.
- Core Trust Services Criteria: The entire assessment is based on the Five Trust Services Criteria: Security (mandatory), Availability, Processing Integrity, Confidentiality, and Privacy.
- Build Market Credibility: A successful SOC 2® assessment demonstrates your organization’s dedication to security standards, helping you build trust with current and future clients as your business scales.
SOC 2®* Compliance Framework
The SOC 2®* compliance framework details how organizations should protect sensitive data from unauthorized access, security intrusions, or other vulnerabilities. Developed by the AICPA, SOC 2® focuses on the five Trust Services Criteria: security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy.
What is SOC 2®* Compliance?
What does it mean to be SOC 2® compliant? SOC 2® refers to both the security framework and the assessment that examines whether or not an organization is compliant with the SOC 2® requirements.
During a SOC 2® evaluation, an assessor like Auditwerx examines the relevant security systems, procedures and policies related to adhering to the Five Trust Services Criteria. SOC 2® reports are unique to each organization examined, therefore, it’s important to partner with an experienced assessor.
Speak to a Compliance Specialist.
What Are the SOC 2®* Trust Services Criteria?
SOC 2® compliance reports are based on five key cybersecurity aspects as outlined by the AICPA.
- Security – This criterion must always be included in a SOC assessment. Your organization must protect your information and systems against unauthorized access, disclosure, or damage.
- Availability – Your information and systems must be available for operation and use to meet the entity’s objectives.
- Processing Integrity – Your system processing must be complete, valid, accurate, authorized, and timely.
- Confidentiality – Confidential information must be properly protected.
- Privacy – Personal information is collected, used, retained, disclosed, or disposed according to entity objectives.
Each of the SOC 2® Five Trust Services Criteria includes predefined objectives that your assessor can help your organization understand. While every SOC 2® compliance assessment includes the “security” criterion, management can choose which of the other categories should be included in an assessment. Your Auditwerx team can help you determine which of the Trust Services Criteria best fit your organization’s objectives.
Who Does SOC 2®* Apply To?
Any service organization that stores, processes, or transmits customer data will likely need to adhere to SOC 2® compliance. A successful SOC 2® assessment demonstrates your organization’s dedication to security standards. Adhering to the SOC 2® requirements demonstrates your organization’s dedication to maintaining proper security controls.
Current and future clients will appreciate proof that your organization takes security seriously and helps you build trust while scaling your business. If your clients are clamoring for a SOC 2® assessment, you’ll want to be able to let them know that your organization is trusted and secure.
Auditwerx is Your Experienced SOC 2®* Partner
When it comes to SOC 2® compliance, look no further than the experienced team at Auditwerx. Our assessment team can help guide your organization from your initial gap assessment to your final report. If you are ready to simplify SOC 2® reporting, contact Auditwerx today.
FAQs
What does SOC 2® compliance verify for my customers and partners?
SOC 2® compliance provides a formal attestation that your organization’s systems, procedures, and policies are suitably designed and effectively operating to meet rigorous security requirements, assuring clients that their sensitive data is protected.
What are the Five Trust Services Criteria that form the basis of a SOC 2® assessment?
The five criteria are: Security (protecting against unauthorized access), Availability (ensuring systems are operational), Processing Integrity (accurate and timely system function), Confidentiality (protecting specified confidential information), and Privacy (proper handling of personal information).
Which service organizations are required to achieve SOC 2® adherence?
Any service organization—such as a SaaS provider, a data center, or a company utilizing cloud technologies—that stores, processes, or transmits customer data will likely need to adhere to the SOC 2® compliance framework.
Can an organization customize the scope of its SOC 2® compliance assessment?
Yes. While the Security criterion must always be included in the assessment, your organization’s management can choose which of the other four Trust Services Criteria (Availability, Processing Integrity, Confidentiality, and Privacy) best align with your specific service offerings and client needs.
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