What is SOC 2?
SOC 2 (Service Organization Control Type 2) is an auditing standard developed by the AICPA that evaluates an organization's controls related to security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy (the Trust Service Criteria).
SOC 2 (Service Organization Control Type 2) is an auditing standard developed by the AICPA that evaluates an organization's controls related to security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy (the Trust Service Criteria).
A SOC 2 Type I report evaluates whether controls are properly designed at a point in time. A SOC 2 Type II report evaluates whether controls operated effectively over a period (typically 6-12 months). Type II is the gold standard.
SOC 2 compliance is the most commonly required security certification for B2B SaaS companies. Enterprise customers and investors expect SOC 2 Type II.
Why It Matters
SOC 2 is the price of admission for enterprise SaaS sales. Without it, enterprise procurement teams will block your deal. SOC 2 compliance also forces good security hygiene.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does SOC 2 take?
SOC 2 Type I: 3-6 months to prepare, point-in-time audit. Type II: requires 6-12 months of evidence collection after Type I. Total timeline: 9-18 months from zero to Type II.
Related Terms
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