Understanding SOC 2 Compliance and Its Impact on Your Business

Customers expect more than fast service and intuitive apps—they expect trust. If your business stores, processes, or transmits customer data, demonstrating a strong commitment to security should be priority number one.

For SaaS providers, managed service providers, and other digital businesses, achieving SOC 2 compliance is one of the most credible ways to show that your systems are secure, your processes are reliable, and your customers’ data is in safe hands.

At Integrated Computer Services, we help businesses stay at the forefront of technology and compliance by implementing proactive, strategic solutions that align with your goals and scale with your growth.

What Is SOC 2 Compliance?

SOC 2 (System and Organization Controls 2) is a compliance standard developed by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). It evaluates how effectively your organization manages data based on a specific set of criteria related to security, availability, and privacy.

SOC 2 is most relevant for cloud-based companies and service providers that store or process customer data. While it’s not legally required, it has become a widely accepted benchmark for data protection and operational integrity.

In many industries, SOC 2 is no longer optional. It’s a baseline requirement for doing business with enterprise customers or regulated industries.

The Five Trust Services Criteria

SOC 2 evaluates your systems against five Trust Services Criteria. Your organization may be assessed on some or all of the following, depending on your business model:

1. Security

Protects systems and data from unauthorized access, breaches, and misuse. This is the foundational criterion in all SOC 2 reports.

Example controls include firewalls, intrusion detection, multi-factor authentication, and access management.

2. Availability

Ensures your systems are reliable and meet agreed-upon uptime standards. This applies to companies that guarantee performance as part of their services.

Common practices include data backups, failover infrastructure, and disaster recovery planning.

3. Processing Integrity

Confirms that systems process data accurately, completely, and on time. This is critical for platforms involved in billing, analytics, or data-driven workflows.

Controls focus on validation, monitoring, and accuracy of processing.

4. Confidentiality

Protects sensitive data such as intellectual property, financial records, or internal communications.

Measures may include encryption, access control, and secure storage.

5. Privacy

Assess how your company collects, uses, retains, and disposes of personal information in accordance with privacy policies and applicable regulations.

This includes data minimization, consent management, and secure data destruction protocols.

Types of SOC 2 Reports

There are two types of SOC 2 reports, each offering a different level of insight into your systems:

Type I

Evaluates whether the appropriate controls are in place at a specific point in time. This is typically the starting point for businesses pursuing SOC 2 for the first time.

Type II

Assesses how effectively those controls operate over a set period, usually between 3 and 12 months. Type II is often preferred by prospective clients because it demonstrates consistency and long-term reliability.

Key Steps to Achieve SOC 2 Compliance

Achieving SOC 2 compliance requires thoughtful planning, cross-departmental coordination, and the right technical controls. Here’s how most businesses approach it:

Conduct a Readiness Assessment

Before your audit, conduct a gap analysis to identify where your current systems fall short. This includes reviewing policies, documentation, and third-party relationships.

Integrated Computer Services can help you prepare for this phase by evaluating your existing infrastructure and providing a roadmap toward compliance.

Implement Required Controls

Based on the Trust Services Criteria that apply to your business, you’ll need to put in place technical, procedural, and administrative safeguards.

This could include things like endpoint protection, employee security training, or updating access control policies.

Work with a CPA Firm or Auditor

SOC 2 reports must be issued by an independent auditor accredited to conduct SOC examinations. Select a firm with experience in your industry and a deep understanding of the SOC 2 framework.

Undergo the Audit

You’ll need to provide evidence that your controls are working as designed. This could include system logs, access reports, documentation, or even staff interviews.

For a Type II audit, your systems will be evaluated over the entire audit period to verify consistent implementation.

Review and Maintain Compliance

After receiving your report, address any issues noted by the auditor. More importantly, treat SOC 2 compliance as an ongoing commitment—build in continuous monitoring, regular policy reviews, and routine security audits.

SOC 2 is not just a one-time event. It’s a framework for building lasting resilience and trust into your business.

Business Benefits of SOC 2 Compliance

While the path to SOC 2 compliance can be rigorous, the benefits are significant.

Customer Trust
SOC 2 demonstrates to clients that you take their data seriously and have systems in place to protect it.

Competitive Advantage
Having a current SOC 2 report can help you win contracts, especially with enterprise clients who require third-party assurance before engaging with vendors.

Risk Reduction
The controls implemented for SOC 2 can reduce the likelihood and severity of data breaches, operational failures, and regulatory violations.

Improved Internal Processes
The process of preparing for SOC 2 often leads to better documentation, clearer policies, and stronger cross-team accountability.

Ready to Get Started?

If SOC 2 compliance is on your roadmap, or if your clients are already asking for it, Integrated Computer Services can help guide you through the process from start to finish. Our team stays ahead of evolving security standards and works closely with you to align compliance with your business goals, budget, and infrastructure.

We don’t just help you meet a standard. We help you build a more secure, resilient, and competitive business.

Contact Integrated Computer Services to begin your SOC 2 certification.

Give us a call to learn more about our co-managed IT services and explore how you can enhance your team through ICS.