Why SOC 2 matters for global businesses
SOC 2 is the report North American buyers ask for most often when evaluating a SaaS or cloud vendor. It provides independent assurance that a service provider’s controls meet the AICPA Trust Services Criteria — security, and where relevant availability, processing integrity, confidentiality and privacy. For a software company trying to close enterprise deals in the US or UK, a SOC 2 report frequently removes the single biggest blocker in the security review.
Unlike ISO certification, SOC 2 results in an attestation report rather than a certificate, but the commercial effect is the same: it lets a buyer’s security team satisfy their own due-diligence requirements without running a bespoke audit of your environment.
What the assessment covers
A Type I report assesses whether your controls are suitably designed at a single point in time — the fastest route to having something to show a prospect. A Type II report goes further, testing whether those controls operated effectively over a period (commonly 6–12 months), and is what most enterprise buyers ultimately want.
We help you scope the report, select the applicable Trust Services Criteria, document the system, map and implement controls, close gaps and organise the evidence — then support you through the independent examination by a licensed CPA firm, through to your SOC 2 report.
The controls in scope typically include access control, change management, system monitoring, incident response, vendor management and the supporting governance around them. We also offer a readiness phase first, which maps your current controls against the criteria and tells you exactly what to remediate before the formal assessment begins.
Typical timeline
A readiness assessment plus a Type I report is typically achievable in 6–10 weeks. A Type II report then runs across your chosen observation period. You receive a firm plan with your fixed-price quote, including the observation window.
Common questions
Should we start with Type I or Type II?
Many companies start with Type I to have a report in hand quickly for active deals, then move to Type II to cover an operating period. If your buyers are already asking specifically for Type II, we can plan directly toward it.
Can SOC 2 be done remotely?
Yes. SOC 2 assessments are almost always conducted remotely through secure evidence collection and interviews, which suits distributed engineering teams well.
How does SOC 2 relate to ISO 27001?
They overlap heavily. If you already hold ISO 27001, much of the control evidence is reusable for SOC 2, and vice versa — we can scope an efficient path when you need both.
Who issues a SOC 2 report?
A licensed CPA firm performs the examination and issues the report, under the AICPA’s attestation standards. ABS prepares you for it: scoping, a readiness assessment, remediation and support through the examination.
How long does a SOC 2 report stay current?
A SOC 2 report has no formal expiry date, but it covers a specific date (Type I) or period (Type II), so most customers expect a new report every 12 months. A bridge letter from management can cover the gap between the end of the reporting period and the next report.
Which Trust Services Criteria are mandatory?
Only Security, the common criteria, is required in every SOC 2 report. Availability, processing integrity, confidentiality and privacy are optional, and you include the ones that match the commitments you make to your customers.
