The gold standard for demonstrating security practices to enterprise customers. Validate your controls through independent auditor attestation.
SOC 2 (System and Organization Controls 2) is an auditing framework developed by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). It specifies how service organizations should manage customer data based on five Trust Service Criteria: Security, Availability, Processing Integrity, Confidentiality, and Privacy.
Unlike certifications like ISO 27001, SOC 2 results in an attestation report from an independent CPA firm. This report provides detailed information about your organization's controls and how effectively they operate, giving customers confidence in your security practices.
For SaaS companies and AI vendors, SOC 2 has become the de facto requirement for selling to enterprises. Most B2B sales processes include a security review, and a current SOC 2 Type II report is often the first document requested.
SOC 2 is built around five Trust Service Criteria. Security is always required; others are selected based on your services and customer needs.
Protection of system resources against unauthorized access. Required for all SOC 2 reports.
System is operational and usable as committed or agreed upon.
System processing is complete, valid, accurate, timely, and authorized.
Information designated as confidential is protected as committed or agreed.
Personal information is collected, used, retained, disclosed, and disposed of properly.
Point-in-time assessment of control design
Timeline: Snapshot at a specific date
Best for: Initial compliance demonstration or quick wins
Assessment of control design and operating effectiveness
Timeline: Evaluation over 3-12 month period
Best for: Full compliance demonstration; required by most enterprises
Recommendation: Start with Type I to demonstrate control design quickly, then pursue Type II for full operating effectiveness evidence. Enterprise customers typically require Type II.
Enterprise buyers require SOC 2 as table stakes for SaaS and AI vendors
AI systems process sensitive data requiring robust security controls
Model training pipelines must demonstrate data handling integrity
Processing Integrity criteria directly applies to AI prediction accuracy
Confidentiality criteria covers protection of proprietary models and training data
AI-specific controls becoming expected additions to SOC 2 scope
SOC 2 is non-negotiable for enterprise deals. Without it, you'll face lengthy security questionnaires or lose opportunities entirely.
Independent attestation carries more weight than self-certification. Customers trust CPA-verified controls.
SOC 2 preparation identifies security gaps before they become incidents. The process itself improves your security posture.
In competitive deals, having SOC 2 when competitors don't can be the deciding factor for security-conscious buyers.
Comprehensive gap analysis against SOC 2 Trust Service Criteria, including AI-specific control considerations for model development and deployment.
Guidance on implementing required controls, developing policies, and establishing evidence collection processes for audit readiness.
Map AI-specific risks and controls to SOC 2 criteria, ensuring your model lifecycle and data handling practices are properly addressed.
Pre-audit preparation and ongoing support during the audit process, ensuring smooth interaction with your CPA firm.
Let's assess your readiness and create a path to successful attestation.