What On EARTH Is A SOC 2 Certification?

Let’s get technical: SOC 2 (Service Organization Control 2) is a set of standards developed by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) to assess the effectiveness of a company’s internal controls related to security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy. SOC 2 certification is awarded to companies that have successfully undergone a voluntary, independent audit of their internal controls and processes.

The audit process is an annual event that typically involves three key elements:

1. A comprehensive review of the company’s policies, procedures, and systems to ensure that they meet the standards set by the AICPA.

2. Interviews with key personnel to ensure internal policy comprehension and consistency.

3. A review of documentation related to the company’s internal controls.

SOC 2 certifications come in two forms: Type 1 and Type 2. Each type evaluates the company on similar criteria but should, ideally, come as a set for businesses that manage sensitive information.

Ok…. So Type 1. What is it?

SOC 2 Type 1 certification provides a snapshot of a company’s internal controls and processes at a specific point in time. It is often used by companies that are in the early stages of implementing their internal controls or by companies that want to provide assurance to customers or partners that they have implemented internal controls and processes to protect sensitive data.

Got It! And Type 2?

SOC 2 Type 2 certification is an assessment of a company’s internal controls over a period of time, typically six months or more. It provides an independent report on the design and effectiveness of a company’s internal controls related to security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy, based on an annual audit that evaluates the company’s commitment to security for a set amount of time.

SOC 2 Type 2 certification provides a more comprehensive evaluation of a company’s internal controls and processes compared to Type 1 certification. Instead of capturing the security details of a given moment, it widens the audit’s scope to include the policy, process, and organizational changes that have been implemented over a range of dates to show the company’s dedication to increased security performance.

In short: Type 1 is the setup, Type 2 is the spike that happens year after year to ensure a company maintains its standards.

Why does SOC 2 Certification Matter?

This one is simple: you should care if a company is SOC 2 certified if you value the protection of your sensitive data. Not only is SOC 2 certification a widely recognized standard for assessing the security and privacy controls of service providers, but it’s also essential for companies that handle sensitive information.

1. Protection of your data: SOC 2 certification assures you that the service provider has established effective controls to protect your sensitive data from unauthorized access, disclosure, or theft.

2. Verified trust: SOC 2 certification is a third-party verification that the service provider is committed to security and compliance. It shows that the company takes data security and privacy seriously, providing a trustworthy stamp of trust on the company’s procedures.

3. Regulatory compliance: Healthcare is a highly regulated industry and for very good reason. There is little data more valuable and sensitive than PHI. Working with SOC 2 certified service providers can help you meet compliance requirements and avoid penalties.

4. Peace of Mind: SOC 2 is a voluntary evaluation. Companies choose to hold themselves accountable to the annual review as a way of demonstrating their commitment to providing secure and reliable services. You can rest assured knowing that the provider you are working with has met the highest possible grade for security and safety.