What Is SOC 2? A Plain-English Guide
SOC 2 is the trust report that most enterprise SaaS buyers require before they sign. It is not a certification - it is an audit report produced by a licensed CPA firm, based on the AICPA Trust Services Criteria.
Unlike ISO 27001, SOC 2 is tailored to what you tell your customers. You select which Trust Services Criteria apply, and your report covers only those. Most SaaS companies start with Security plus Availability.
This guide explains what SOC 2 is, how it differs from ISO 27001, and the practical steps to implement it.
What SOC 2 actually is
SOC 2 stands for Service Organization Control 2. It is an audit framework created by the AICPA (American Institute of Certified Public Accountants) that evaluates how organisations manage customer data.
The audit covers the Trust Services Criteria (TSC): Security (mandatory), Availability, Processing Integrity, Confidentiality, and Privacy (all optional). Your report covers Security plus whichever optional criteria you selected.
You do not get a certificate. You get a report from a licensed CPA firm that states whether your controls are suitably designed (Type I) and operating effectively over a period (Type II). Buyers almost always want Type II.
SOC 2 vs ISO 27001 vs PCI DSS
These three compliance frameworks serve different purposes and audiences. SOC 2 is a US-origin audit report focused on trust and data handling, widely demanded by SaaS buyers. ISO 27001 is an international certification for information security management systems, often required by government and enterprise procurement.
PCI DSS is not a security standard in the same sense. It is a payment-card-industry requirement for anyone that handles cardholder data, with specific technical and operational requirements for protecting card data.
Many companies end up pursuing all three, because they serve different buyers and different regulatory contexts. Compliance automation platforms like Vanta, Drata, and Secureframe help you run multiple frameworks from a single control base.
SOC 2 policy templates
Use these starting documents to turn the control into evidence. Adapt each template to your scope, systems, legal obligations and actual operating process.
Automate SOC 2 with Vanta
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FAQ
- Is SOC 2 a certification?
- No. It is an audit report produced by a licensed CPA firm. You do not get a certificate. You get a report that you can share with customers and prospects.
- How long does it take to get SOC 2?
- A Type I report can be completed in 4 to 8 weeks. A Type II report requires at least 6 months of operational evidence, so plan for 8 to 12 months total from start to finish.
- How much does SOC 2 cost?
- Total cost typically ranges from $15,000 to $50,000+ depending on company size, scope, and the auditor. Compliance automation platforms reduce the internal effort significantly.