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SOC 2 Type II: audit and report

When you are making decisions on which digital platforms your business should use, data security is the cornerstone.

The easiest way to check how serious is your potential service provider about security would be to check their compliance reports and security certificates.

Alright, you got to their site, and it says that the software you are considering just passed SOC 2 audit and got its compliance report. Looks serious but what does this actually mean for you as a client?

Let's slice and dice it into simple questions and answers:

What does SOC 2 stand for? And if it is Type II, how many types are there?

SOC stands for System and Organization Control. There are three types of SOC reports - SOC 1, SOC 2 and SOC 3.

SOC 1 report addresses the issues of internal control and financial statements. They are usually of interest for internal auditors and financial executives. In other words, not interesting for the service provider's clients, current or potential.

SOC 2 report describes internal control policy and procedures. It is directly related to security of the service provided.

SOC 3 report also concerns internal control and security issues. Its only difference from SOC 2 is in access and dissemination. SOC 3 reports can be freely distributed online while SOC 1 and 2 reports are accessible to immediate users of the service only.

Depending on the types of its activities and its plans, a company can freely choose which type of audit and report it needs.

Now to types. SOC 2 reports can be further divided into Type I and Type II.

Type I report describes control measures as of a specific date. Type II report contains the same information but for a specific period of time (the minimum is 6 months).

Reports of Type I are usually quicker to obtain, however, Type II reports are considered to be more trustworthy since they serve as a proof that a service provider can maintain control and security in a long term and not only on the day when the audit has been performed.

What is the exact procedure of SOC 2 certification?

First of all, let's settle the terminology here cause there is a common mistake (left intentionally) already in the question itself. Strictly speaking, this is NOT a certification procedure, since there is no certificate afterwards. There is an audit, and after it the service provider gets their SOC 2 report. If a service provider claims they have such a report, you as a client, have the right to read it.

What's inside SOC 2 Report?

The report describes and explains all the security and control actions taken by the service provider to guarantee its activities meet SOC 2 TSC (Trust Service Criteria).

SOC 2 Audit Report includes the following elements:

• An opinion letter by the auditor;
• Management statement;
• Detailed description of how the service system works;
• Analysis by trust service categories: security; availability; processing integrity; confidentiality; privacy;
• Results of testing;
• Optional additional info by the service provider.

Who is eligible to perform SOC 2 audit?

SOC audits are usually carried out by the security experts holding a CPA (Certified Public Accountant). They can be independent experts or affiliated to an accounting firm, often an international one.

SOC auditors are following rules and standards established and monitored by the AICPA - American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. All audits conducted by the AICPA-accredited auditors can be subject to peer review by other auditors.

In the course of an SOC audit, the auditor is allowed to invite side experts with relevant knowledge of specific security protocols and information technologies, however, the final report will be prepared by a CPA themselves.

In a nutshell, what does SOC 2 audit check?

It checks whether the service system allows any chance for unauthorized access or other suspicious activity in relation to client's data stored inside the system. It also monitors for phishing and other malicious activity.

Is SOC audit mandatory?

Well, there is no law, national or international, stating that having SOC Report is a must, however, it is highly recommended for any company doing business online, SaaS vendors especially.

As people are getting increasingly aware of what is information security, SOC 2 report seems to be the easiest way to check (and prove) whether the service provider takes the matters of clients' data privacy seriously.

How often should SOC 2 audit be carried out?

In most cases SOC 2 report covers the period of 12 months. However, in some cases it can be done once in 6 months.

The service provider may volunteer to have SOC audit in 6 months from the previous one if: a) an important client has requested an update; 2) the previous audit has detected some security loopholes, the company managed to fix them and would like to see this reflected in a newer audit report.

I have a SOC 2 report at hand. What should I pay attention to?

First and foremost - who did the audit? Ideally, SOC 2 audit should be carried out by a well-known, internationally/nationally acknowledged accounting organization, with the experience of audits in the field you are interested in.

Secondly, the date. Is this a recent audit?

Finally, read the part with the testing results and the opinion of the auditor. Auditor's comments are usually concentrated on all potential loopholes in the system.