Any organization that stores, processes, or transmits customer data—especially sensitive information—should consider SOC 2 compliance. This applies to service providers handling cloud storage, SaaS platforms, managed IT services, and other technology-based solutions that impact data security and privacy.
SOC 2 compliance is crucial for industries handling sensitive data, including SaaS, healthcare, finance, e-commerce, legal, marketing, and HR services. It helps secure cloud platforms, protect financial transactions, ensure regulatory compliance, and safeguard customer and employee data, building trust and mitigating risks.
SOC 2 compliance is often a contractual requirement for businesses working with enterprise clients, ensuring a standardized approach to data security, privacy, and availability.
Is SOC 2 mandatory?
No, SOC 2 is not legally mandatory, but business partners, clients, and industry regulations often require it to ensure data security. While no specific law enforces SOC 2 compliance, it aligns with legal frameworks like GDPR, HIPAA, and CCPA, helping organizations meet security and privacy requirements. Many industries, especially SaaS, finance, and healthcare, adopt SOC 2 as a best practice to demonstrate trust and mitigate risks.
What is the importance of SOC 2 compliance?
SOC 2 compliance is important for demonstrating strong security practices and protecting customer data. It builds trust with clients, reduces cybersecurity risks, ensures regulatory alignment (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA, CCPA), and provides a competitive advantage.
What are the SOC 2 requirements?
To meet SOC 2 requirements, organizations must implement controls aligned with the five Trust Services Criteria (TSC): Security (mandatory), Availability, Processing Integrity, Confidentiality, and Privacy. The process includes defining the scope, implementing security and compliance controls, conducting risk assessments, maintaining documentation, and undergoing an independent audit by a licensed CPA firm following AICPA guidelines.
Who can perform a SOC 2 audit?
An independent Certified Public Accountant (CPA) who is part of a licensed CPA firm can perform a SOC 2 audit and issue the final report, as required by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). The CPA firm must evaluate the service organization’s controls against the Trust Services Criteria (TSC). Organizations should choose a CPA firm with SOC 2 audit experience to ensure a thorough and accurate evaluation.
Who needs a SOC 2 report?
Organizations that store, process, or transmit customer data—especially SaaS providers, cloud service companies, IT-managed service providers, and data hosting firms—often need a SOC 2 report to demonstrate security controls. Many enterprise clients require SOC 2 compliance as part of their vendor risk assessment, making it essential for businesses handling sensitive data to maintain trust and credibility.
How can Scrut help?
Scrut streamlines SOC 2 compliance by automating security controls, risk assessments, policy management, and evidence collection. Its continuous monitoring ensures real-time issue detection with automated alerts.
With 70+ integrations, Scrut automates 65% of evidence gathering, reducing manual effort. Teams can assign tasks, track progress, and collaborate directly with auditors for a smoother audit process. Trust Vault enables organizations to showcase SOC 2 and other certifications, providing real-time security visibility to stakeholders.
Beyond the platform, Scrut offers expert guidance for a seamless compliance journey. Find the right compliance framework for your business with Scrut’s Compliance Framework Finder—schedule a demo today!
