SOC 2 | iyanifa

SOC Auditing

SOC 2 (Service Organization Control 2) auditing focuses on ensuring that service providers securely manage and protect customer data in line with information security standards. It is based on five trust service principles: security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy. The audit evaluates the effectiveness of an organisation's internal controls, particularly in cloud-based environments, assessing whether they adhere to these principles.

It is important to note that SOC 2 auditing is not a SOC (Security Operations Centre) analytics job, which involves monitoring and responding to cyber threats in real-time.

SOC 2, on the other hand, deals with compliance and governance, ensuring that processes are in place to protect data and prevent security breaches.

SOC 2 audits are especially crucial for technology and SaaS companies, as they must demonstrate their ability to maintain strict data security standards. An independent third-party auditor conducts the audit, reviewing the organisation’s policies, procedures, and practices to ensure compliance with the required trust principles.

The outcome of the audit is a report that details the organisation's performance and can be shared with customers to assure them of their data protection measures. For more in-depth information, you can visit AICPA’s SOC 2 resources.

The official website for SOC auditing, particularly SOC 1, SOC 2, and SOC 3 reports, is maintained by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). The AICPA provides comprehensive resources on the SOC frameworks, guidelines, and trust service criteria, as well as information on how to conduct SOC audits and obtain reports.

SOC 1, SOC 2, and SOC 3 reports are part of the Service Organization Control (SOC) framework designed by the AICPA to evaluate the internal controls of service organisations.

SOC 1 focuses on the internal controls over financial reporting (ICFR), ensuring processes related to financial transactions are secure and accurate.
SOC 2 assesses a service organisation's controls based on five trust principles: security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy, making it crucial for data security and privacy.
SOC 3 is a public report based on SOC 2, providing a high-level summary of an organisation’s security controls without the detailed specifics.

You can find official information on SOC audits at: AICPA SOC Audits