What is a SOC 2 Audit?

A SOC 2 audit is an independent assessment to ensure that an organization's handling of customer data meets specific criteria for security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy. 

These audits, based on the Trust Services Criteria set by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), are vital for organizations managing customer data in the cloud. This audit is essential for regulatory oversight, internal governance, risk management, and building customer trust in data management practices.‍

Types of SOC 2 Audits

SOC 2 audits can be either Type 1 or Type 2:

• SOC 2 Type 1 Audit: Assesses the design and implementation of security controls at a specific moment in time. It focuses on whether an organization's systems are suitably set up to meet relevant trust principles. Type 1 audits and reports can be completed in a matter of weeks. Therefore, they are easier to reach in terms of resources, but on the other hand, provide less assurance.

• SOC 2 Type 2 Audit: Evaluates the operational effectiveness of those controls over a specified period, typically six months to a year. It provides a more comprehensive view by examining how effectively the controls function over time.