.svg)
Trust Services Criteria
SOC 2 is organized around the AICPA Trust Services Criteria: Security (required), plus optional categories for Availability, Processing Integrity, Confidentiality, and Privacy.
SOC 2 Compliance
Everything you need to build a security program that satisfies SOC 2 requirements as a natural outcome of running effective security operations.
What SOC 2 Requires
The key domains your security program needs to address for a successful SOC 2 audit.
Control Environment
The foundation of a SOC 2 program is a well-documented control environment covering governance, risk assessment, organizational structure, and communication of policies.
Logical & Physical Access Controls
SOC 2 requires controls over who can access systems and data, including authentication, authorization, access provisioning, and physical security measures.
Change Management
All changes to infrastructure, code, and configurations must follow documented processes with approvals, testing, and rollback procedures.
System Operations & Monitoring
Continuous monitoring, logging, alerting, and incident response processes must be in place to detect and respond to security events.
Risk Assessment & Vendor Management
Annual risk assessments and third-party vendor due diligence programs are required to identify and manage risks across the supply chain.
Ready to assess your SOC 2 readiness?
Answer 16 questions about your security program. Get a detailed report with domain-level scores and actionable next steps.
Take the Free Readiness ScorecardExplore SOC 2 in the Framework Explorer
Compare SOC 2 with ISO 27001, CPCSC, and other frameworks side-by-side.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is SOC 2 compliance?
+
SOC 2 is an auditing framework developed by the AICPA that evaluates an organization's information security controls against the Trust Services Criteria. It results in a report issued by an independent CPA firm attesting to the design and operating effectiveness of those controls.
Who needs SOC 2?
+
Any organization that stores, processes, or transmits customer data typically needs SOC 2, especially SaaS companies, cloud service providers, and managed service providers. Enterprise customers and procurement teams increasingly require SOC 2 reports as a condition of doing business.
How long does SOC 2 compliance take?
+
For a first-time SOC 2 Type I audit, most organizations need 3 to 6 months to build controls and gather evidence. A Type II audit adds an observation period of 3 to 12 months during which controls must be operating effectively.
What is the difference between SOC 2 Type I and Type II?
+
A SOC 2 Type I report evaluates whether controls are properly designed at a specific point in time. A Type II report evaluates whether those controls operated effectively over a period of time, typically 6 to 12 months, providing stronger assurance to customers.
How much does SOC 2 cost?
+
SOC 2 audit costs typically range from $30,000 to $100,000 depending on scope and complexity. Total program costs including readiness preparation, tooling, and consultant fees can range from $50,000 to $200,000 for a first-time audit.
Can you automate SOC 2 compliance?
+
GRC platforms can automate evidence collection, control monitoring, and policy management, reducing manual effort by 40-60%. However, automation supplements a well-designed security program rather than replacing it. The controls themselves still need to be properly implemented and operated.
Rather Talk to a Human?
Skip the reading. Book a strategy call and we will walk through what SOC 2 compliance actually looks like for your organization.
Book a Strategy Call