Many organizations successfully complete a SOC 2® Type 2 examination but then struggle to communicate that assurance to a general audience due to the limitations around sharing the documentation. A SOC 3® report bridges that gap by issuing a concise, general-use document that you can confidently share publicly.
A System and Organization Controls (SOC) 3® examination is performed under the same attestation standards (SSAE 18) as a SOC 2®, but it results in a General-Use Report. It confirms that your controls meet the Trust Services Criteria (TSC) but provides only a summary of the service provider's opinion, without the detailed description of controls, system, or test results found in a SOC 2® report.This examination is critical for organizations that handle sensitive customer information. The resulting SOC 2® report provides objective assurance that your service is designed and operating effectively to protect the data of your user entities.
A SOC 3® report serves as a strategic marketing tool designed to build widespread confidence and demonstrate a steadfast commitment to security without compromising sensitive internal information. By providing proactive transparency, the report allows you to address security concerns early in the sales cycle with immediate, verifiable proof of control effectiveness, creating significant brand differentiation against competitors. Because it is a general-use report, it offers unparalleled ease of distribution, allowing you to freely publish it on your website, in marketing materials, or alongside sales proposals. Furthermore, the inclusion of the associated Web Trust seal provides a powerful, visual assurance to all website visitors that your organization prioritizes strong system controls.
The SOC 3® report is a direct extension of the SOC 2® Type 2 examination. Think of the SOC 2® Type 2 as the comprehensive, detailed examination file containing all the sensitive evidence, control descriptions, and specific test results. It is a restricted-use document. The SOC 3® then serves as the executive summary of that report, taking the service provider's opinion from the SOC 2® and presenting it in a format suitable for public consumption and marketing. You must complete a thorough SOC 2® Type 2 examination first, as the SOC 3® relies entirely on its findings to establish the necessary assurance over control effectiveness.
A SOC 3® is most effective and efficiently obtained immediately following a SOC 2® Type 2 examination. Since the underlying evidence and testing are identical, the SOC 3® opinion is essentially a simplified, public summary of the full SOC 2® Type 2 examination.
Like the SOC 2® report, the SOC 3® report is focused on the Trust Services Criteria (TSC). The specific criteria included in your SOC 3® report will match those covered in your underlying SOC 2® examination.
The Five Trust Services Criteria (TSC)
Security (Mandatory): Protection of the system against unauthorized access.
Availability: The system is operational and usable as committed or agreed.
Processing Integrity: System processing is complete, accurate, timely, and authorized.
Confidentiality: Protection of data designated as confidential.
Privacy: Protection and appropriate disposal of Personal Identifiable Information (PII).
Our process for issuing a SOC 3® report is streamlined, as it is generally leveraged from an existing SOC 2® Type 2 report.
Stage | Description |
Underlying SOC 2® Examination | The foundational work (planning, fieldwork, testing) is completed under a SOC 2® Type 2 engagement, which validates the design and operating effectiveness of controls over time. |
Report Drafting | Our team drafts the concise SOC 3® report, removing the detailed System Description and test results, and summarizing the service provider’s opinion against the TSC. |
Opinion Issuance | We issue the final, formal SOC 3® opinion letter, which is suitable for public distribution. |
Seal Authorization | We authorize the use of the official Web Trust/SOC 3® Seal, allowing you to display it publicly. |
The need for a SOC 3® is driven by the desire to publicly demonstrate trust to a broad audience, rather than satisfying a specific regulatory requirement. Any industry that deals with sensitive customer data and seeks a competitive advantage through transparency will benefit from a SOC 3®.
To address the initial security concerns of potential new customers visiting their website. A SOC 3® shows a strong security posture, accelerating the sales process and filtering out potential clients who might otherwise send time-consuming security questionnaires.
When responding to a Request for Proposal (RFP) or filling out preliminary due diligence forms, a SOC 3® serves as instant, high-level proof of control implementation, allowing sales teams to move directly to contractual discussions.
To build immediate, public credibility with prospects who need assurance that their critical infrastructure (physical and virtual) is protected by mature controls.
While HIPAA compliance requires the detailed SOC 2®+ report, the SOC 3® can be shared broadly to assure consumers, partners, and investors that the company's controls are independently audited and robust.
As a growing company, establishing credibility is paramount. A SOC 3® report provides third-party assurance to investors and early enterprise clients, helping secure funding rounds and land major contracts.
Choosing Auditwerx for your SOC 3® report gives you a distinct advantage. Secure the necessary assurance to retain and attract clients relying on your financial controls.
We are proud to be an independent firm with no conflicts of interest in completing your report.
We focus only on controls and evidence that will score points in the final assessment.
Partner with a single firm throughout your entire compliance lifecycle. Our findings are objective and have no conflicts of interest.
Our U.S. based team of assessment professionals are never outsourced.
200+ years of collective experience translates to the most efficient path to certification, saving you time and money.
We offer flexible integration with leading GRC tools, so you don't have to duplicate evidence.
…Both operations and assessment teams executed the engagement flawlessly, on-time and on-budget. The Auditwerx team provided us with the necessary guidance, tools and knowledge...We would highly recommend Auditwerx services to organizations of all sizes and requirement complexities.
...Their team has brought a level of knowledge and professionalism that has been unmatched. Our company is required to undergo a number of assessments annually with various firms and Auditwerx has truly been a pleasure to work with...
...The assessment itself was thorough, but non-disruptive. The team was highly professional and very knowledgeable. We recommend Auditwerx...without reservation.
As part of your overall compliance and assurance strategy, we offer examinations for the entire SOC report family. We can help you determine which report is right for your user base, whether they require financial assurance (SOC 1®) or security and operational assurance (SOC 2® and SOC 3®).
Identifies control gaps and provides a roadmap before the formal examination begins, saving time and money.
Assurance for financial systems like payroll, claims, or loan processing.
Assurance over core technology, security, and operational controls (common for SaaS, hosting, and data centers).
Expands the SOC 2® report to include testing against other compliance frameworks simultaneously.
SOC 2® Report | SOC 3® Report | |
Use | Restricted (Only for management, users, and regulators) | General Use (Publicly distributed) |
Content | Detailed System Description, Controls, Test Results, and Service Provider’s Opinion | High-level summary of the Service Provider’s Opinion only |
Length | Comprehensive (40-80+ pages) | Concise (5-10 pages) |
Purpose | Detailed due diligence and contractual compliance | Marketing, public trust, and sales enablement |
Since the SOC 3® is based on a SOC 2® Type 2 examination, and a Type 2 covers a period of time, the SOC 3® must be renewed annually to ensure your clients have assurance over the most recent 12-month period.
Our handy guide, “Adding it Up: What Type of SOC Report Do I Need?” is a great starting point to determine what kind of SOC report best fits your company’s business and compliance needs.
When you’re ready to speak with an experienced team member about your reporting needs, Auditwerx will be here for you.
When you’re ready to start your PCI compliance journey, our experienced team will be here to walk you through the entire process, from assessment readiness to your final report.
Stop letting your hard-earned security assurance sit behind NDAs. Leverage the power of a public SOC 3® report to drive your sales and marketing efforts.
Tell us a little about what you need, and our team will schedule a no-pressure conversation. No obligations, just answers you need.
Form issues? Contact us directly at [email protected].
