What are SOC Reports?
Companies that handle user data that is sensitive must give thorough explanations of their data protection measures.
This is where SOC (System and Organization Control) assessments come into play, examining the controls within systems and organizations.
Businesses that provide essential services to their clients’ control systems, such as SaaS, payment processing, financial reporting, and data center operations, usually go through SOC reporting.
These reports are created according to each user’s unique security requirements. We will explore the key differences between SOC 1 and SOC 2 reports in this blog to help readers decide which kind best meets their requirements.
SOC 1 examines financial reporting auditing controls while SOC 2 assesses security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy controls.
Why Businesses Can’t Ignore SOC Reports?
- Building Trust with Customers: With the rise in cybersecurity threats, a SOC report shows a company’s commitment to safeguard its systems and data. Companies that claim to prioritize security but lack a recent SOC report have room for improvement in assuring users their information remains protected.
- Compliance and Competitive Edge: These reports help meet regulatory requirements and give businesses a competitive edge in a market where customers are increasingly aware and concerned about data security.
- Operational Excellence: Implementing SOC-compliant processes pushes organizations towards operational excellence, ensuring that they are not just secure but also efficient and customer-centric.
What is SOC 1?
SOC 1 reports are centered around financial reporting controls. They’re essential for service organizations that influence their clients’ financial operations, such as payroll processors or data centers handling financial data.
A SOC 1 report assures stakeholders that the organization has effective controls in place to handle financial data reliably.
The process of obtaining a SOC 1 report involves an in-depth audit by an external auditor. This audit examines the organization’s controls related to user financial transactions.
The auditor’s final opinion covers several aspects, including the scope, design, and effectiveness of these controls, providing a comprehensive overview of the organization’s financial data management practices.
Purpose of SOC 1 Reports
- Assures controls over financial reporting.
- Primarily used by service organizations that have an impact on their clients’ financial statements.
- Assesses the design and effectiveness of controls related to financial reporting.
- Helps clients of service organizations evaluate the internal controls that affect the accuracy and reliability of financial information.
- Important for compliance with regulations such as the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX).
Types of SOC 1
- Type 1:
-
- Purpose: This report assesses the design and suitability of controls in place at a specific point in time.
- Focus: Evaluate controls related to security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy.
- Timeframe: Covers controls at a particular date.
- Use Case: Provides clients with insights into the design of controls relevant to data security and privacy.
- Type 2:
-
- Purpose: This report evaluates the operational effectiveness of controls over a period, usually a minimum of six months.
- Focus: It assesses how controls have operated and whether they have been effective in maintaining security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy.
- Timeframe: Covers controls over a specified duration.
- Use Case: Offers clients a deeper understanding of how controls have performed in practice, which is crucial for assessing a service organization’s trustworthiness.
What is SOC 2?
On the contrary, SOC 2 reports take a broader view, focusing on operational and compliance aspects, particularly the Trust Services Criteria: security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy.
This makes SOC 2 reports more relevant for organizations handling sensitive information unrelated to financial reporting, such as cloud service providers or healthcare data processors.
The SOC 2 audit evaluates the organization’s systems and processes against these criteria, ensuring that they manage and protect data effectively.
This report is a testament to the organization’s commitment to maintaining high standards in data security and integrity, which is increasingly important in today’s data-driven world.
The Five Trust Principles
- Security: Protecting data against unauthorized access.
- Availability: Ensuring services are available as committed.
- Processing Integrity: Data processing is complete, valid, accurate, and timely.
- Confidentiality: Data is restricted to specified parties.
- Privacy: The organization’s privacy notice governs the collection, use, retention, and disclosure of personal information.
Purpose of SOC 2 Reports
- Focuses on controls related to security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy.
- Relevant for service organizations that handle sensitive data but may not impact financial reporting.
- Evaluates the design and effectiveness of controls in areas beyond financial reporting.
- Offers insights into the security and data protection measures in place at a service organization.
- Helps clients assess the trustworthiness of service providers in terms of data security and privacy.
- Commonly used in industries like technology, cloud computing, and data hosting.
Types of SOC 2
- Type 1:
-
- Purpose: This report assesses the design and suitability of controls in place at a specific point in time.
- Focus: Evaluate controls related to security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy.
- Timeframe: Covers controls at a particular date.
- Use Case: Provides clients with insights into the design of controls relevant to data security and privacy.
- Type 2:
-
- Purpose: This report evaluates the operational effectiveness of controls over a period, usually a minimum of six months.
- Focus: It assesses how controls have operated and whether they have been effective in maintaining security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy.
- Timeframe: Covers controls over a specified duration.
- Use Case: Offers clients a deeper understanding of how controls have performed in practice, which is crucial for assessing a service organization’s trustworthiness.
SOC 1 Vs SOC 2: A Comparative Analysis
When it comes to choosing between SOC 1 vs. SOC 2 reports, organizations must consider several key factors.
Purpose
SOC 1 reports focus on internal controls impacting financial reporting, intended specifically for an organization’s management and auditors. SOC 2 examinations detail controls relevant to security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy – ultimately assuring customers their data stays protected.
Scope
SOC 1 scope covers controls tied directly to financial statements. SOC 2 covers operational controls within five “trust service principles” relating to security, risk management, and data protection.
Target Audiences
SOC 1 reports primarily cater to customers and auditors. Organizations that directly impact their clients’ financial operations, such as third-party payroll processors or data centers handling financial data, often provide SOC 1 reports to their clients.
SOC 2 reports have a broader audience, including both customers and prospects. Organizations that handle sensitive information not directly related to financial reporting, such as cloud service providers, healthcare entities, and technology companies, opt for SOC 2 reports
Approach
SOC 1 auditors test and opine on specific controls, while SOC 2 audits evaluate an entire system against set criteria.
Reporting
SOC 1 reports don’t include the auditor’s detailed testing procedures or results to avoid revealing vulnerabilities. SOC 2 reports are publicly available to provide transparency for users evaluating a service provider.
Usage
SOC 1 satisfies mandatory regulatory audit needs concerning financial data, while SOC 2 meets vendor management programs’ risk evaluation requirements for customer information security.
Evaluating the specific organizational controls is necessary to determine if a SOC 1 or SOC 2 assessment better addresses the risks requiring independent validation.
Who Needs SOC 1 And SOC 2 Reports?
SOC 1 vs SOC 2 reports serve different audiences:
SOC 1:
SOC 1 reports are primarily intended for a service organization’s management and financial auditors. They focus on controls relevant to financial reporting and directly impacting the preparation of financial statements. Entities that would need SOC 1 reports include:
- Publicly traded companies required to submit financial reports per GAAP or IFRS standards
- Organizations undergoing financial statement audits
- Companies providing financial processing services to customers, such as payroll, loan servicing, investment management, etc.
SOC 2:
SOC 2 reports provide assurance about security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy controls to external users dependent on the service organization’s systems. Common entities needing SOC 2 reports are:
- SaaS companies storing customer data in the cloud
- Healthcare technology and services handling protected health information
- Data center and colocation providers
- Retailers and payment processors managing consumer transactions
- Organizations transmitting financial, personally identifiable or other sensitive data
- Companies needing to comply with vendor risk management assessments
Does SOC 2 Replace SOC 1 Reports?
No, SOC 2 does not replace SOC 1. SOC 1 vs. SOC 2 are two distinct types of reports, each serving different purposes and focusing on different aspects of controls:
SOC 1 Vs. SOC 2 Comaprison Table:
| Aspect | SOC 1 (System and Organization Controls 1) | SOC 2 (System and Organization Controls 2) |
|
Focus |
Controls related to financial reporting. | Controls related to security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy (Trust Services Criteria). |
| Control Objectives | Financial data accuracy, completeness, and reliability. | Data security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy. |
| Types (I and II) | Includes both Type I and Type II reports. | Includes both Type I and Type II reports. |
| Use Cases | Used by service organizations that impact clients’ financial reporting. | Relevant for service organizations handling sensitive data. |
| Industry Focus | Common in industries where financial data accuracy is critical (e.g., financial services, healthcare). | Widely used in technology, cloud computing, and data hosting, among others. |
Examples and Case Studies
Case Study 1: Financial Institution’s Journey with SOC 1
Background:
A prominent financial institution that manages millions of transactions for its clients sought to enhance its auditing and financial reporting processes.
They realized the importance of providing assurance to their clients and auditors that their financial controls were reliable.
Implementation:
The financial institution embarked on the path to obtaining a SOC 1 report. Their management worked closely with external auditors, specifically Certified Public Accountants (CPAs), to outline and assess their financial controls.
These controls included access controls, data backup procedures, and the segregation of duties within their financial systems.
Impact:
- Enhanced Client Trust: With a SOC 1 report in hand, the financial institution significantly enhanced client trust. Their clients, ranging from individual investors to corporate partners, had greater confidence in the institution’s ability to manage financial data securely.
- Streamlined Auditing Processes: Auditors found the SOC 1 report instrumental in streamlining their auditing processes. The report provided clear insights into the institution’s financial controls, reducing the time and effort required for audits.
Case Study 2: Cloud Service Provider’s Commitment to Data Security with SOC 2
Background:
A cloud service provider specializing in hosting and managing healthcare data for medical practices recognized the critical importance of data security and privacy. Their clients, which included healthcare providers subject to strict regulatory requirements, demanded strong assurances regarding data protection.
Implementation:
The cloud service provider opted for an SOC 2 report to demonstrate its commitment to data security and privacy. It underwent a comprehensive audit of its systems and processes, aligning with the Trust Services Criteria, including security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy.
Impact:
- Competitive Advantage: The SOC 2 report gave the cloud service provider a competitive edge in the healthcare industry. They could assure their clients that their sensitive patient data was being managed with the highest security and compliance standards.
- Client Retention and Attraction: Existing clients were reassured by the SOC 2 report’s findings, leading to increased client retention rates. Additionally, the report attracted new clients, including healthcare practices looking for secure and compliant data hosting solutions.
Case Study 3: E-commerce Payment Processor’s Dual Assurance
Background:
An e-commerce payment processor handles payments for a wide range of online businesses. They recognize the dual nature of their services, which involve financial transactions and the management of sensitive payment data.
Implementation:
The payment processor opted for both SOC 1 and SOC 2 reports to address both aspects of their services. They underwent rigorous audits of their financial controls for the SOC 1 report and comprehensive assessments of data security and privacy practices for the SOC 2 report.
Impact:
- Comprehensive Assurance: By obtaining SOC 1 and SOC 2 reports, the payment processor provided comprehensive assurance to their clients. E-commerce businesses relying on their services had peace of mind knowing that both their financial transactions and payment data were handled securely.
- Expanded Client Base: The availability of both reports allowed the payment processor to expand its client base. Businesses from various industries, including those requiring robust financial controls and data security, were drawn to their services.
Conclusion
SOC1 and SOC2 reports both provide valuable assurance but differ in their scope and purpose. SOC1 reports focus on internal controls relevant to financial reporting and are intended for auditors and management.
SOC2 reports detail security, privacy, and availability controls that give external customers confidence their sensitive data remains protected when using a service provider.
While their approaches differ, SOC1 and SOC2 serve complementary roles. Organizations handling financial transactions impacting customer statements need SOC1 to satisfy regulatory requirements.
However, those storing personally identifiable information still benefit from a SOC2 demonstrating security policies that safeguard personal data. Obtaining the suitable type requires understanding what systems the reports must cover.
In closing, SOC 1 vs SOC 2 comparisons show these are distinct audits for unique needs, not interchangeable. As threats persist in an interconnected digital economy, SOC examinations promote customer trust that providers validate controls through independent SOC certifications.
Choosing either SOC1 or SOC2 depends on which system domains require audits – financial or security. However, the most diligent service companies realize both are essential for comprehensive governance over internal operations affecting customers.
