The emergence of software-as-a-service (SaaS) and cloud computing created a need in the market for a standard that could instill confidence among service industry customers regarding the security of their data entrusted to service providers. SOC 2 is an auditing framework designed for professionals in the service industry to establish trust with their clients. It has emerged as a powerful tool, not just for safeguarding sensitive information but also for fueling growth.
This article explores innovative ways in which organizations can leverage SOC 2 compliance as more than just a regulatory requirement – transforming it into a strategic asset that drives customer confidence, business expansion, and competitive advantage.
What is SOC 2?
SOC 2 is an auditing procedure for service providers developed by the American Institute of Certified Professional Accountants (AICPA) to ensure that they manage clients’ data securely and maintain privacy. SOC 2 sets the criteria for managing customer data based on five principles, called the trust service principles, namely,
- Security
- Availability
- Processing integrity
- Confidentiality
- Privacy
An interesting feature of the SOC 2 audit is that it is unique for each organization. Every organization sets its own standards to comply with one or more of the above principles. The report provides you with information on how your service provider handles your data. There are two types of SOC 2 reports:
Type 1 – The type 1 report describes a vendor’s system and whether their design is in sync with your trust principles.
Type 2 – The type 2 report describes the operational effectiveness of those systems.
The SOC 2 audit is conducted by an outside agency that verifies the extent of compliance with the five principles of SOC 2.
Benefits of SOC 2 Compliance
SOC 2 compliance offers a wide range of benefits, from bolstering data security to fostering trust and competitiveness. It is not just a compliance requirement but a strategic asset that can help organizations thrive in the digital age. Here are some major benefits that it offers:
1. Provides better security for client database
An organization can successfully pass an SOC 2 audit when it demonstrates a commitment to safeguarding client databases in accordance with the five core principles of SOC 2 compliance.
Consider this alarming statistic: IBM reported that the average time to identify and contain a data breach is a staggering 277 days. Now, envision the impact of your business being disrupted for nearly nine months. Prioritizing the protection of your client database not only shields your organization from such extensive disruptions but also paves the way for long-term growth. By proactively securing data, you can redirect valuable time and resources towards development initiatives rather than expending them on recovering from a data breach.
2. Improves efficiency
SOC 2 is meticulously crafted to guide organizations through a process that fosters deep introspection of their security posture. This entails a comprehensive understanding of the risks confronting them, the controls in place to counter these risks, and the precise definition of their service objectives.
By closely scrutinizing their security protocols, organizations often unearth control gaps or vulnerabilities that may have rendered them susceptible to cyberattacks. Addressing these weak points allows for a more robust security posture. Furthermore, it affords the opportunity to streamline processes by eliminating redundancies and introducing new measures as needed, ultimately enhancing operational efficiency.
3. Helps you in marketing
Today’s customers understand the risk of poor security controls. 53% of the customers use digital services only after making sure that the company has a reputation for protecting its data (McKinsey Digital). So, if you have a SOC 2 audit certificate on your website, the customers are more likely to trust you and buy from you. You can display your SOC 2 badge on your website, product page, and social media to ensure the success of your SOC 2 audit.
In the present market, customers are more aware of concepts like data privacy, sustainability, and moral principles than they were in the past. Therefore, they prefer to deal with organizations that follow such policies and are often willing to spend more for clean services.
4. Boosts brand reputation
Brand reputation is much more than the quality of goods and services. It is how the organization’s culture is. If your culture supports data privacy, you can boost your brand reputation. It gives out the message that the organization cares about its customers.
5. Gives you competitive advantages
SOC 2 certification can prove to be an important differentiator between your organization and your competitors’. Not only the end clients but also other businesses will prefer to join hands with you if you work towards data privacy.
Vendors are required to complete SOC 2 audits successfully to prove to the clients that they work towards data protection. When clients have an option, they would prefer a vendor audited under SOC 2 over others.
13 steps to turn SOC 2 compliance into a growth strategy
Turning SOC 2 compliance into a growth strategy can be a smart move, as it demonstrates to your customers and partners that you take data security and privacy seriously. Here are steps to help you leverage SOC 2 compliance for business growth:
1. Understand SOC 2 compliance
Ensure that you thoroughly understand what SOC 2 compliance entails. SOC 2 (Service Organization Control 2) focuses on controls related to security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy of customer data. It’s essential to grasp the requirements and how they apply to your organization.
2. Align with business goals
Integrate SOC 2 compliance into your business strategy. Determine how compliance can align with your growth objectives, such as expanding into new markets, attracting larger clients, or entering regulated industries.
3. Invest in security measures
Strengthen your security posture. While achieving SOC 2 compliance is a significant step, the real value lies in implementing robust security measures to protect your data and your customers’ data. This can help you differentiate your business from competitors.
4. Communicate your compliance
Market your SOC 2 compliance as a competitive advantage. Highlight this certification on your website, in marketing materials, and during sales pitches. Emphasize that you take data security and privacy seriously, which can build trust with potential clients and partners.
5. Educate your team
Ensure that your employees understand the importance of SOC 2 compliance and their role in maintaining it. Provide training and resources to help them adhere to compliance requirements.
6. Customize your compliance approach
Tailor your SOC 2 compliance efforts to meet the specific needs and expectations of your clients and industry. Different clients may have varying requirements and concerns, so being flexible can help you attract a broader client base.
7. Continuous improvement
SOC 2 compliance is an ongoing process. Regularly review and update your security policies and practices to stay current with evolving threats and technology. Demonstrating a commitment to continuous improvement can enhance your reputation.
8. Third-party validation
Consider third-party security audits or penetration testing to validate your security measures. These can provide additional assurance to clients and prospects.
9. Transparency and accountability
Be transparent about your security practices and how you handle data breaches or incidents. Demonstrating accountability and a proactive approach to security issues can further enhance trust.
10. Expand your service offerings
Use SOC 2 compliance to expand your service offerings. If your competitors aren’t SOC 2 compliant, you may gain a competitive edge by offering secure data processing and storage solutions.
11. Compliance as a selling point
Emphasize SOC 2 compliance when targeting clients or industries with strict data security requirements, such as healthcare, finance, or government. Your compliance can make you an attractive choice for these clients.
12. Monitor client feedback
Collect feedback from clients and partners on how SOC 2 compliance has positively impacted their experience working with your company. Use these testimonials to build trust with new clients.
13. Stay informed
Keep up with changes in data security regulations and compliance standards. Adapt your strategy accordingly to maintain and leverage your compliance efforts effectively.
In summary, SOC 2 compliance can be a powerful tool for business growth when integrated strategically. It not only provides a competitive advantage but also helps build trust and credibility in an increasingly data-conscious business environment.
Conclusion
The SOC 2 report is useful for all parties, including your organization, your customers, your suppliers, and your shareholders, to prove that you are following the five principle requirements of the standard. The five requirements – security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy help the organization in protecting its cyber assets. Make sure to apply the 13 steps we listed to turn SOC 2 compliance into a growth strategy for your organization.
Scrut Automation is a one-stop shop for compliance. Our software provides the fastest solution for achieving and maintaining SOC 2 compliance, making it an ideal choice for busy startups. Schedule your demo today to see how it works.
FAQs
SOC 2 compliance is a standard for data security and privacy developed by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). It requires organizations to demonstrate their ability to protect customer data and ensure the privacy, security, availability, and processing integrity of that data.
Organizations must follow all the requirements of the SOC 2 standard for its information security and privacy practices. A qualified third-party auditor will test the organization’s posture against the standard’s requirements and certify the organization.
If a service provider has a SOC 2 certification, it can earn the trust of its customers easily. Its overall cybersecurity posture will improve, and it will face a competitive advantage in the market.
