SOC 2 Certification Preparation Services

Service Organization Control 2 (SOC 2) reports provide independent verification of service provider controls relevant to security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy.

Based on Trust Services Criteria developed by AICPA, SOC 2 examinations evaluate control design effectiveness (Type I) or both design and operating effectiveness over time (Type II).

Unlike prescriptive standards, SOC 2 allows organizations to define relevant controls based on service nature and customer requirements.

This flexibility enables tailored security frameworks while maintaining independent assurance credibility.

SOC 2 encompasses five Trust Services Criteria categories.

Security is mandatory for all SOC 2 reports, addressing system protection against unauthorized access.

Availability relates to system accessibility for operation and use as committed or agreed.

Processing Integrity concerns system processing completeness, validity, accuracy, timeliness, and authorization.

Confidentiality protects information designated confidential.

Privacy addresses personal information collection, use, retention, disclosure, and disposal.

We help organizations select applicable criteria based on service commitments, industry requirements, and customer expectations.

Most defense technology providers pursue Security and Availability as minimum scope.

SOC 2 readiness begins with assessing the control environment foundation.

We evaluate control consciousness, commitment to competence, management philosophy, organizational structure, and authority assignment.

Control environment assessment examines policies, procedures, documentation standards, and monitoring mechanisms.

Our assessment methodology identifies gaps between current state and SOC 2 requirements, prioritizing remediation activities based on audit risk and implementation complexity.

Strong control environments demonstrate to auditors that organizations have systematic approaches to security and compliance.

The System Description provides critical context for SOC 2 reports, documenting service commitments, system components, control objectives, and related controls.

We develop comprehensive system descriptions covering infrastructure, software, people, procedures, and data comprising service delivery.

System descriptions must accurately reflect architecture, clearly explain boundaries, and describe principal service commitments and system requirements.

Our system description development ensures auditor understanding while satisfying customer due diligence needs.

Precise system descriptions prevent scope disputes and clarify shared responsibility models.

SOC 2 Type I reports attest to control design suitability at a specific point in time.

Type I preparation focuses on documenting controls, implementing missing capabilities, and preparing evidence demonstrating design effectiveness.

We develop control matrices mapping Trust Services Criteria to implemented controls, prepare control narratives describing implementation details, and assemble evidence packages supporting auditor testing.

Type I achievement provides interim assurance while organizations establish operational track records required for Type II.

We coordinate with audit firms managing point-in-time assessment logistics and evidence review.

SOC 2 Type II reports attest to operating effectiveness over minimum 6-month examination periods.

Type II requires demonstrating consistent control operation through operational evidence.

We implement evidence collection processes capturing control execution, establish monitoring mechanisms detecting control failures, and maintain documentation repositories organizing evidence for efficient auditor review.

Type II evidence requirements vary by control - access reviews require periodic execution records, vulnerability scanning demands regular scan results, and incident response needs documented response activities.

Our evidence frameworks ensure complete population coverage satisfying audit sampling requirements.

Successful SOC 2 attestation requires effective audit firm partnership.

We support audit firm selection evaluating relevant experience, industry knowledge, and customer acceptance.

Engagement planning defines examination scope, criteria inclusion, sampling approach, and reporting timeline.

During examination, we coordinate evidence requests, schedule interviews, provide system access, and respond to auditor inquiries.

Our audit management approach minimizes disruption while ensuring thorough assessment.

We negotiate exception language when findings occur, implementing remediation plans demonstrating commitment to continuous improvement.

Maintaining SOC 2 credibility requires regular report updates.

Most organizations produce annual Type II reports with examination periods overlapping to avoid coverage gaps.

Bridge letters provide interim assurance documenting significant changes between report periods.

We establish continuous reporting rhythms aligning with business cycles and customer renewal periods.

Our ongoing SOC 2 maintenance includes quarterly readiness reviews, continuous evidence collection, internal audit programs, and audit firm coordination.

We track criteria updates ensuring controls evolve with AICPA Trust Services revisions.