Companies fear SOC 2 audits today, not because of security gaps or costs but rather the bottlenecks they may create. As the story goes, they assume compliance will slow down engineering, introduce red tape, and distract teams from shipping. However, the real problem is not SOC 2 itself, but how companies approach it.
In fast-moving tech environments, security cannot be a once-a-year checkbox. The modern attack surface changes daily, and auditors expect more than static policies and after-the-fact reports, i.e., security controls work continuously. Automation becomes the difference between compliance as a burden and compliance as a competitive advantage.
SOC 2 done right, with security-first workflows and automated detection mechanisms, satisfies auditors and keeps security adaptive, reducing last-minute scrambles to let engineers focus on their other core deliverables. This article discusses in depth how you can achieve and implement the same in your organization.
What is SOC 2 Audit?
A SOC 2 (System and Organization Controls 2) audit is an assessment conducted by a trusted third-party auditor to evaluate an organization’s information systems’ security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy. The security audit ensures that companies securely manage sensitive customer data.
Why Astra is the best in
SOC 2 Pentesting?
- We’re the only company that combines automated & manual pentest to create a one-of-a-kind PTaaS platform with SOC 2 vulnerability tags.
- Vetted scans ensure zero false positives to avoid delays
- Our intelligent vulnerability scanner emulates hacker behavior with 10,000+ tests to help achieve continuous compliance
- Astra’s scanner helps you simplify remediation by integrating with your CI/CD
- Our platform helps you uncover, manage & fix vulnerabilities in one place
- We offer 2 rescans to help you verify ptaches and generate a clean report
- Trusted by the brands you trust like Agora, Spicejet, Muthoot, Dream11, etc.
Why is SOC 2 Audit Important?
“People wouldn’t even talk to us without SOC 2. It’s very difficult to sell without compliance. If you’re selling SaaS in the US, SOC 2 is essential. It’s a precursor, not an option.”
Lalit Indoria, Co-Founder and CTO, ClearFeed
1. Enhanced Trust:
Trust is built on proof. A SOC 2 audit validates that an organization is actively safeguarding data through tested controls and continuous monitoring, offering you a tangible way to assure clients, investors, and partners that security is a priority
2. Competitive Advantage
Having a SOC 2 report signals operational maturity and a proactive security culture, which enhances credibility with enterprise clients and investors. In industries where data protection is a core requirement, having SOC 2 certification reduces friction in sales cycles, speeds up procurement approvals, and positions your company as a trusted, security-first provider.
3. Regulatory Compliance
While SOC 2 is not a legal mandate, its principles align closely with global regulations like GDPR, HIPAA, and ISO 27001. Thus, achieving SOC 2 compliance helps organizations build a foundation for broader regulatory adherence, reducing the complexity of managing multiple compliance frameworks.
4. Risk Mitigation
SOC 2 compliance drives a culture of continuous security improvement. By enforcing robust access controls, audit logging, and incident response mechanisms, SOC 2 transforms security from a reactive function into a core business strength that reduces exposure to data breaches and operational disruptions.
5. Customer Retention
Many enterprises require SOC 2 reports as part of vendor assessments, making compliance a key factor in reducing sales delays and expediting procurement approvals. Organizations with SOC 2 can win contracts faster and build long-term customer confidence.
6. Vendor Requirements
In today’s interconnected business landscape, partnering with other organizations often involves sharing sensitive data. Many companies now require their vendors and service providers to be SOC 2 compliant. By obtaining SOC 2 compliance audit certification, your organization meets these vendor requirements, unlocking opportunities for valuable partnerships and business collaborations.
Step-by-Step Guide to SOC 2 Audit
Step 1: Scoping and Planning:
This phase helps the company and the third-party auditor define the audit’s objectives and outcomes. For example, the goals might involve assessing data security controls, processing integrity, confidentiality, availability, and privacy measures. Each organization’s objectives will be unique and tailored to its specific services and data-handling practices.
Step 2: Control Identification and Documentation
One critical step in the SOC 2 audit is identifying and documenting controls related to the Trust Services Criteria. This means creating a detailed record of the measures taken to ensure data security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy. The audit’s success depends on how effectively these controls are identified and documented.
The documentation should include clear descriptions, step-by-step procedures, evidence of implementation, ownership details, testing methods, and reviews. A well-organized and comprehensive documentation enables auditors to assess the organization’s compliance and the effectiveness of the controls in place, ultimately ensuring a successful SOC 2 audit.
Step 3: Control Implementation
Once controls are identified and documented, the organization must implement them. This often involves training employees, implementing security protocols, and consistently following policies. These policies serve as a framework for employees and stakeholders to understand how to handle sensitive data, use security protocols, and ensure compliance with established controls.
To ensure policies are consistently followed, companies can take the following measures:
A. Employee Training:
Training employees involves educating them on the organization’s policies, procedures, and best practices related to data security and using security protocols.
Training may include various methods such as:
- Classroom or Online Training: Conducting formal training sessions where employees learn about data security policies, relevant laws and regulations, and the importance of following security protocols.
- On-the-Job Training: Providing practical, hands-on guidance to employees on handling sensitive data securely and applying security protocols in their day-to-day tasks.
- Role-Specific Training: Tailoring training programs to specific job roles, ensuring that employees receive training relevant to their responsibilities and data access privileges.
- Security Awareness Programs: Conduct regular security awareness campaigns to inform employees about the latest security threats and best practices to mitigate risks.
B. Automation:
Utilize technology and automation to enforce policies and monitor adherence more effectively.
C. Management Support:
Ensure that management actively supports and enforces the policies, setting a strong example for the rest of the organization.
Step 4: Pre-Assessment Review
The purpose of a Pre-Assessment Review is to evaluate an organization’s readiness for the formal audit. It helps identify potential gaps or deficiencies in the controls and processes related to data security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy.
The review allows the organization to address issues before the audit, ensuring a smoother and more efficient assessment process.
Step 5: The Formal Audit
In the SOC 2 checklist, ensure that an independent third-party SOC 2 auditor performs an official SOC 2 audit. Please verify that the auditor evaluates the controls’ effectiveness and checks their alignment with the Trust Services Criteria.
Step 6: Report Issuance
Following the audit, the auditor issues a SOC 2 report. This report details the organization’s controls and effectiveness in ensuring data security and privacy. The SOC 2 compliance audit report outlines the results of an audit assessing an organization’s controls related to data security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy.
The security audit report includes the auditor’s findings, conclusions, and recommendations regarding the effectiveness of the controls in place to safeguard sensitive data.
Stay SOC 2 complaint 24/7 with Astra.
How long is an SOC 2 Audit?
“The SOC 2 journey has ups and downs. It’s a process that requires time and effort. However, AI can simplify many SOC 2 processes. Explore AI-powered tools and agents to streamline compliance.”
Lalit Indoria, Co-Founder and CTO, ClearFeed
Several key factors influence the duration of an SOC 2 compliance audit, which must be considered when planning and executing the assessment.
Organization Size and Complexity
The size and complexity of the audited organization play a significant role in determining the audit duration. Larger organizations or those with intricate systems and numerous business processes may require more time for the auditor to evaluate their controls thoroughly.
Scope of the Audit
The SOC 2 compliance audit scope defines the specific systems, processes, and controls that will be assessed. A broader scope involving multiple business units or locations may extend the audit timeline.
Control Readiness
The readiness of the organization’s controls for assessment is crucial. If the controls are well-documented, implemented, and regularly reviewed, it will streamline the audit process. On the other hand, if controls are not adequately prepared, additional time may be needed to address gaps and deficiencies.
Availability of Evidence
Auditors rely on evidence to verify the effectiveness of controls. Delays in receiving evidence from the organization can lead to an extended audit period. Considering all these factors, an SOC 2 compliance audit typically lasts a few weeks to several months.
How can Astra Help?
Astra streamlines SOC 2 compliance pentesting with AI-driven automation and expert manual testing, uncovering critical risks like business logic flaws and payment escalation issues. With 10,000+ test cases, continuous threat exposure management, and seamless integrations, we help organizations identify and fix vulnerabilities while ensuring zero false positives.
Beyond testing, Astra offers publicly verifiable certifications, two free rescans, and custom compliance reports for management and developers. Our CXO-friendly dashboard and dedicated security experts simplify reporting, while unlimited automated scans and OWASP-backed methodologies ensure robust, up-to-date security compliance.
Astra Pentest is built by the team of experts that helped secure Microsoft, Adobe, Facebook, and Buffer
Final Thoughts
Take action today by investing in a SOC 2 compliance audit for your organization, especially if you handle sensitive data. This crucial step will give you a competitive edge, bolster your security measures, and foster customer trust.
By prioritizing an SOC 2 compliance audit, you’re investing significantly in your business’s reputation and trustworthiness. Stay ahead of the competition and ensure the security of your sensitive data. Take the necessary steps to safeguard your business and build lasting customer trust. Don’t wait; act now!
FAQs
What’s the difference between SOC 1 and SOC 2 audits?
SOC 1 focuses on financial reporting controls, while SOC 2 assesses security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy controls.
Is SOC 2 audit mandatory for all businesses?
No, a SOC 2 audit is not mandatory for all businesses. It is typically conducted for service organizations that provide services to other businesses, such as cloud service providers, data centers, SaaS companies, and other entities that handle sensitive data on behalf of their clients.
While SOC 2 audits are not mandatory for all businesses, they are often required or requested by clients or business partners as a part of vendor risk management. Many organizations, especially those in the technology, finance, healthcare, and other regulated industries, seek SOC 2 compliance to demonstrate their commitment to data security.
What happens if the business fails the SOC 2 audit?
If a business fails the SOC 2 audit, the controls and processes to address the Trust Services Criteria did not meet the required standards. Failing the audit could have significant consequences, depending on the organization’s situation:
1. Remediation Efforts: The organization must identify where it fell short and take corrective actions to address the deficiencies. This may involve strengthening controls, improving documentation, and enhancing security measures.
2. Re-audit: To achieve SOC 2 compliance, the business must undergo another audit after implementing the necessary improvements. The re-audit process will validate the effectiveness of the corrective actions taken.
How can a business find a trusted third party for the SOC 2 audit?
Finding a trusted third-party for the SOC 2 audit is crucial to ensure the credibility and objectivity of the assessment. A trusted third-party refers to an independent auditing firm with expertise in conducting SOC 2 audits. Here’s how a business can find such an auditor:
Referrals and Recommendations: Seek recommendations from other businesses or industry peers who have undergone SOC 2 audits. Their experiences can guide you to reputable auditors.
Inquire about Methodology: When shortlisting potential auditors, inquire about their audit methodology, approach, and how they ensure objectivity and independence in the process.
Assess Reputation: Check the reputation of potential auditors by reviewing client testimonials, case studies, and any public information available about their track record.
Discuss Expectations: Have detailed discussions with potential auditors about your organization’s needs, objectives, and the scope of the audit. Understand how they tailor their approach to meet your specific requirements.
Explore Our SOC 2 Series
This post is part of a series on SOC 2. You can
also check out other articles below.
