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SOC 2 Audits

Protecting Privacy, Promoting Trust

What is a SOC 2 Audit?

A System and Organization Controls (SOC) 2 audit provides your customers the peace of mind in knowing you are safeguarding their sensitive information. A SOC 2 audit evaluates your organization’s controls over data security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy. It ensures these controls are well-designed and operating effectively to protect client information. Unlike SOC 1, which focuses on internal controls over financial reporting, SOC 2 audits provide assurance on broader data security and privacy practices. Additionally, you can opt for a SOC 3 audit which covers the same criteria but results in a general-use report ideal for public visibility and marketing purposes.

Who needs a SOC 2 Type 1 or SOC 2 Type 2 audit?

Any organization that handles sensitive client data can benefit from a SOC 2 audit. This includes SaaS providers, IaaS providers, cloud service platforms, data hosting companies, colocation providers, managed service providers, and healthcare organizations. SOC 2 audits can be designed to cover the same requirements in other regulations like GDPR, HIPAA, and CCPA, which assists your company in demonstrating robust data protection practices and avoiding potential fines and legal issues.

Why seek a SOC 2 Type 1 or SOC 2 Type 2 audit?

SOC 2 audits highlight your commitment to data security and privacy, setting you apart in the marketplace. The process begins with a comprehensive readiness assessment to identify and address any gaps, followed by audit planning and testing and evaluation of controls, concluding with a detailed SOC 2 report. By successfully completing a SOC 2 audit, you attract new clients and strengthen relationships with existing ones, giving you a strong competitive advantage and the assurance you need to thrive.

Build trust and secure your data with SOC 2 audits.

SOC 2 Support for Internationally Based Companies Operating in the United States

At McKonly & Asbury, we understand the unique challenges and responsibilities facing internationally owned companies operating within the United States. Our SOC audit services—ranging from SOC 1 and SOC 2 to SOC 3 and SOC for Cybersecurity—are tailored to support the needs of these businesses, providing scalable, efficient, and actionable solutions that help you stay secure, compliant, and trusted in today’s complex digital environment.

Experience. The Difference.

Building Confidence with Every Audit

A SOC 2 audit includes an evaluation of your controls in accordance with the AICPA trust service criteria, conducted by our specialized and experienced auditors. There are two types of SOC 2 reports:

  • Type 1: This report describes your organization’s systems and assesses the design of the controls at a specific point in time. It provides a snapshot of your control environment, demonstrating that your controls are suitably designed to meet the relevant trust service criteria.
  • Type 2: This report provides a detailed evaluation of the operational effectiveness of the controls over a period of time, typically six months to a year. Type 2 reports offer more in-depth assurance and are often preferred by clients.

Understanding these differences allows you to choose the SOC 2 report that best meets your organization’s needs, ensuring your internal controls are both well-designed and effectively operating.

 

SOC 2 Audit Process

  • Readiness assessment is typically the first step. While not mandatory, it is highly recommended, especially for organizations pursuing their first SOC 2 report. This assessment acts as a dry run, allowing a CPA firm or advisor to examine current policies, procedures, and control environments to identify gaps between the existing practices and the SOC 2 requirements.
  • Remediation and gap closure follow the readiness assessment. Once control weaknesses or documentation deficiencies are identified, the organization must take corrective action. This might involve implementing missing security controls, refining access management protocols, updating written policies, improving incident response procedures, or investing in technology for monitoring and logging.
  • Fieldwork is the formal audit phase. For a SOC 2 Type I report, auditors evaluate whether the controls are appropriately designed and implemented as of a single point in time. For a SOC 2 Type II report, auditors assess the operational effectiveness of those controls over a defined review period—usually between three and twelve months.
  • Reporting is the final step in the SOC 2 audit process. After completing their evaluation, the auditor drafts a detailed report that includes an opinion on the effectiveness of the controls, a system description provided by the organization, and the results of control testing. In a Type II report, this will include observations about whether any exceptions occurred during the audit period and how the organization responded.

Industry Involvement

SOC 2 Frequently Asked Questions

A SOC 2 audit evaluates your organization’s controls against the AICPA Trust Services Criteria framework over security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy. It ensures that your controls are effectively designed and operating to protect sensitive customer information.

Organizations that handle sensitive client data, such as SaaS providers, cloud service platforms, data hosting companies, and healthcare organizations, can benefit from a SOC 2 audit.

SOC 2 Type 1 evaluates the design of your controls at a specific point in time, while SOC 2 Type 2 assesses the design and operating effectiveness of these controls over a defined period (typically 3-12 months).

A SOC 2 audit demonstrates your commitment to data security, giving you a competitive edge. It helps attract new clients, strengthens relationships with existing ones, and assures your clients that their sensitive data is protected.

A SOC 3 audit covers the same criteria as a SOC 2 audit but results in a general-use report that is ideal for public visibility and marketing purposes, making it easier to share your security practices with a wider audience.

SOC 2 Audits for Growth and Success

How Can We Help?

By leveraging our SOC 2 audits, conducted by independent auditors, you can ensure your internal controls are thoroughly evaluated and effective. These audits provide detailed risk assessments, identify control weaknesses, and offer tailored solutions to enhance your information and systems. Learn more about our SOC suite of solutions:

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Thought Leadership

Featured Team Members

David Hammarberg

David Hammarberg

Partner
Michael Hoffner

Michael Hoffner

Managing Partner
Lynnanne Bocchi

Lynnanne Bocchi

Director
Josh Bantz

Josh Bantz

Director
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