What is SOC 2?
SOC 2 — Service Organization Control 2 — is an auditing standard from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) covering controls related to security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality and privacy in service organisations. An independent auditor assesses whether the organisation meets the Trust Services Criteria, built on five principles:
- Security — protecting against unauthorised access and safeguarding sensitive information
- Availability — keeping systems and services accessible to authorised users
- Processing integrity — accurate, complete and timely data processing
- Confidentiality — protecting confidential information from unauthorised disclosure
- Privacy — handling personal information in line with privacy obligations
A SOC 2 report shows that effective risk-management controls are in place. Importantly, it is an independent assessment report rather than a certification.
How can an organisation obtain a SOC 2 report?
The process runs in six steps:
- Define scope and objectives — which systems and trust principles the assessment covers
- Select a qualified CPA firm — auditors experienced in your industry
- Plan and prepare — identify controls, document procedures and gather evidence
- Conduct the audit — reviews, interviews, observations and control testing
- Report — findings, the auditor’s opinion and improvement recommendations
- Distribute and use — share with customers, partners, regulators and stakeholders
Controls then need to be reassessed continually as operations and regulations evolve.
What do auditors evaluate?
A SOC 2 audit typically assesses ten areas: security policies; access controls; network security; data protection; incident response; physical security; vendor management; employee training; monitoring and logging; and change management.
How does SOC 2 demonstrate a security commitment?
It offers five clear advantages: independent third-party validation; assurance of alignment with recognised security standards; transparent communication of controls and improvement areas; a competitive edge with security-conscious buyers; and risk mitigation through proactive identification of weaknesses.
What weaknesses do audits commonly surface?
Frequent areas for improvement include weak access controls, insufficient or unclear security policies, inadequate incident response, incomplete monitoring and logging, gaps in employee training, weak vulnerability or patch management, insufficient third-party oversight, and gaps in physical security.
Strengthening access controls after an audit
A robust approach combines technical controls (multi-factor authentication, role-based access, encryption), administrative controls (user-management policies, provisioning and timely revocation), a security-aware culture (regular training), and continuous improvement (periodic risk assessments and updates).
Have more questions about SOC 2? Contact ABS for guidance on scope, timeline and readiness.