What Is SOC 2?

🔐 A Trust Framework for Customer Data Protection
SOC 2 is a cybersecurity and risk framework developed by the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) to evaluate how organizations handle sensitive customer data.

Unlike certifications, SOC 2 results in an attestation report from an independent auditor that evaluates how well your controls meet the criteria defined under the Trust Services Criteria (TSC).

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🧱 The 5 Trust Services Criteria

SOC 2 allows companies to be audited against one or more of the following criteria. Only Security is mandatory — the others are optional based on your business needs.

• 🔐 Security: Protection against unauthorized access (required for all reports)
• 📈 Availability: Ensuring systems are accessible and reliable for users
• ⚙️ Processing Integrity: Accuracy and completeness of system processing
• 🔒 Confidentiality: Protecting sensitive business data from unauthorized use
• 🧾 Privacy: Proper handling of personal and identifiable information

Each criterion includes “points of focus” that guide how to implement and demonstrate effective controls.

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📃 SOC 2 Is Not a Certification

It’s important to note that SOC 2 is not a certification — it’s an attestation. That means an external auditor evaluates your controls and issues a report on whether your systems meet the relevant Trust Services Criteria.

This report is highly valued by customers, partners, and investors — especially those in regulated or enterprise environments.

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🔄 SOC 2 and Continuous Assurance

SOC 2 is designed for recurring evaluation. Once you complete a SOC 2 audit, the report is valid for 12 months. Maintaining SOC 2 means you must continuously uphold and evolve your controls as your systems scale and your risks evolve.

By investing early in SOC 2, startups establish foundational processes that support secure growth, trust, and operational maturity.

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🎯 Learn How SOC 2 Applies to Your Startup

Not sure which Trust Services Criteria to include? Need help understanding SOC 2 Type I vs. Type II? Start with a free readiness session — we’ll guide you through it.

👉 Book a Free SOC 2 Readiness Assessment

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