Get our Lead Generation Guide for MSPs
Learn more on how to successfully generate leads and scale up
Learn more about SOC 2 Type II audits and reports as well as the compliance requirements involved and how organizations can obtain certification
SOC is an abbreviation of Service Organization Control. SOC 2 is an auditing procedure that ensures that an organization’s service providers manage their data securely in order to protect the organization’s interests and client’s privacy.
It serves to provide assurance to the organization’s clients, management, and user entities in terms of confidentiality, availability, processing integrity, security, and privacy through effective control mechanisms.
SOC audits and reports come in two variations:
This includes an audit and report that an auditor conducts on a specific date.
This involves an audit and report that an auditor conducts over a specific period of time - typically longer than 6 months.
SOC 2 Type II audits happen when an independent auditor evaluates and tests an organization’s control mechanisms and activities. The goal of this is to determine if they are operating effectively. The principles of SOC 2 are founded on policies, procedures, communication, and monitoring.
A SOC 2 Type II audit report typically includes the following:
For an organization to achieve successful certification, it must meet the following criteria.
Get our Lead Generation Guide for MSPs
Learn more on how to successfully generate leads and scale up
SOC 2 Type II audits are usually conducted by organizations that provide systems and services to client organizations such as Platform as a Service, Software as a Service, and Cloud Computing.
The client company may request an assurance audit report from the service organization. This usually happens if private or confidential information has been entrusted to the organization providing a service.
If such an organization provides cloud services, A SOC 2 Type II audit report is extremely beneficial. It helps to build trust with stakeholders and clients. Moreover, this type of audit is often a precondition for service organizations that provide services at different levels in the supply chain.
SOC 2 Type II certification comprises a detailed evaluation, by an independent auditor, of an organization’s internal control policies and practices over a defined time frame. Typically, this could be anywhere from six months to a year. This independent review confirms that the organization complies with the strict requirements outlined by AICPA.
The SOC 2 Type II Audit Process entails:
How to Comply With SOC 2 Type II
For organizations to be SOC 2 Type II compliant, an independent auditor would review the following practices and policies:
When organizations enlist the services of third parties who have been granted access to some form of internal system that the client owns, there is an element of internal control risk. The type of access granted and the type of systems used will determine the level of risk that the organization faces.
When organizations who are SOC 2 Type II certified want to develop software and applications, they must do so in terms of the audited processes and controls. This ensures that organizations create, test, and release all code and applications according to AICPA Trust Services Principles.
SOC 2 Type II audits and reports are one of the most important compliance verifications that an organization can provide for its customers. It offers detailed evidence that an organization has the appropriate security protocols in place. Not only this but it shows that it is reputable and trustworthy.
Related articles
Explore how Kisi’s physical security solutions can facilitiate access for your business
Enable cookies to help us improve your experience.
We use cookies to enchance your experience and for marketing purposes. By clicking ‘accept’, you agree to this use.