SOC 2 Services

SOC 2 is a widely recognized information and data security compliance standard developed by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). It was introduced as an evolution of SOC 1 to provide a robust framework for evaluating how service organizations manage and secure data.

Specifically designed for B2B vendors and SaaS companies, SOC 2 compliance demonstrates to clients that their data is being protected with the highest level of care. Unlike many other standards, SOC 2 does not involve certification. Instead, an AICPA-registered auditor issues either a Type I or Type II report based on the organisations adherence to the Trust Service Criteria.

HC Shield specializes in guiding organizations through the SOC 2 compliance process, ensuring that your data security practices align with industry best standards and that you are fully prepared for the audit. Partner with HC Shield to confidently showcase your commitment to safeguarding client data.

The cost of achieving SOC 2 compliance depends on various factors, including the size and complexity of your organization, the type of report required (Type I or Type II), and the gap between your current data security practices and SOC 2 requirements. 

At HC Shield, we offer a tailored approach that begins with a detailed gap analysis to accurately assess your organization's needs.

By identifying and addressing these gaps at the outset, HC Shield ensures a streamlined and efficient compliance process, minimizing disruptions and optimizing resource allocation. Our expert guidance simplifies the journey to SOC 2 compliance, delivering cost-effective and reliable results.

Contact HC Shield today for a customized quote and take the first step toward SOC 2 compliance with confidence.

Achieving SOC 2 compliance with HC Shield delivers a range of critical benefits that enhance your organization's security posture, strengthen stakeholder trust, and drive business growth. Here are the key advantages that SOC 2 compliance provides: 

1. Protection Against Cyber Threats

SOC 2 compliance ensures that your organization has robust controls in place to reduce the risk of cyberattacks, minimizing security incidents and data breaches.

2. Minimized Risk of Fines and Penalties

By adhering to SOC 2 requirements, you lower the likelihood of financial losses, reputational damage, and legal consequences stemming from data breaches or non-compliance.

3. Improved Processes and Compliance

SOC 2 compliance provides a clear framework to align your operations with contractual, commercial, and regulatory obligations, ensuring adherence to high standards of data security.

4. Reinforced Trust and Reputation

Demonstrate to clients, partners, and stakeholders your unwavering commitment to data protection, strengthening relationships and building confidence in your organization.

5. Enhanced Global Reputation

Achieving SOC 2 compliance boosts your brand’s credibility, positioning you as a trusted and reliable service provider in competitive global markets.

6. Elevated Security Posture

Improve your organization's ability to respond effectively to security incidents, ensuring resilience and minimizing operational disruptions.

7. Drive New Business Opportunities

SOC 2 compliance is a recognized benchmark for security and reliability, giving you a competitive edge, simplifying customer due diligence, and expediting tender processes.

8. Strengthened Security Culture

Foster a culture of information security awareness across your organization, empowering employees to support and uphold compliance practices.

9. Supports Business Growth

Implement a scalable structure that aligns with your organization’s growth strategy while ensuring data security remains a top priority.

10. Cost Efficiency

Optimize costs through streamlined processes, fewer audits, and potential reductions in cyber insurance premiums.

11. Smarter Budget Allocation

SOC 2 compliance ensures resources are allocated based on your organization’s specific risk landscape, avoiding unnecessary expenditures on trendy but irrelevant solutions.

HC Shield specializes in guiding organizations through the SOC 2 compliance process efficiently and effectively. Partner with us to unlock these benefits and strengthen your organization’s security and trustworthiness.

The timeline varies based on your organization’s readiness and the type of report required. Typically, achieving Type I compliance takes 3–6 months, while Type II compliance may require 6–12 months.

For smaller organisations the time required for achieving the SOC 2 compliance is much shorter! Contact HC Shield for more information.

SOC 2 compliance involves two types of reports: Type I and Type II. Both assess an organization’s adherence to the Trust Service Criteria (TSCs), but they differ in focus and the depth of evaluation.

SOC 2 Type I

Focus: Evaluates the design and implementation of your organization’s controls at a specific point in time.

Purpose: Demonstrates that your organization has appropriate controls in place to meet the selected TSCs.

Use Case: Often pursued as the first step in the SOC 2 compliance journey or when immediate customer assurance is needed.

SOC 2 Type II

Focus: Assesses the operational effectiveness of your controls over a defined period, typically 3 to 12 months.

Purpose: Provides evidence that your organization’s controls are not only designed effectively but are also functioning as intended over time.

Use Case: Preferred by clients and partners who require a higher level of assurance regarding data security and control effectiveness.

Which Type is Right for Your Organization?

Choosing between Type I and Type II depends on your specific business needs, client expectations, and the level of assurance required. Many organizations start with Type I and transition to Type II to demonstrate ongoing compliance and operational consistency.

How HC Shield Can Help

HC Shield specializes in guiding organizations through both SOC 2 Type I and Type II processes. From initial readiness assessments to control implementation and audit preparation, our experts ensure a seamless and efficient journey tailored to your business requirements.

Contact HC Shield today to determine the right SOC 2 report for your organization and take the next step toward trusted data security compliance.

SOC 2 and ISO 27001 are both widely recognized frameworks for information security management, but they differ in their focus, scope, and approach. Here’s a detailed comparison tailored for HC Shield’s expertise:

1. Purpose and Focus

SOC 2: Developed by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), SOC 2 is a compliance standard specifically designed for service organizations. It focuses on assessing how an organization manages customer data based on the Trust Service Criteria (TSCs): Security, Availability, Processing Integrity, Confidentiality, and Privacy.

ISO 27001: A global standard published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), ISO 27001 provides a comprehensive framework for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and improving an Information Security Management System (ISMS). It emphasizes risk management and continual improvement of information security practices.

2. Certification vs. Reporting

SOC 2: SOC 2 does not provide certification. Instead, an AICPA-registered auditor issues a Type I or Type II report. These reports evaluate whether your systems and processes meet the Trust Service Criteria.

ISO 27001: ISO 27001 involves a formal certification process conducted by an accredited certification body. Organizations are issued a certificate upon demonstrating compliance with the standard’s requirements.

3. Scope

SOC 2: Primarily applicable to B2B SaaS companies, service providers, and technology vendors, SOC 2 focuses on customer data protection and system controls.

ISO 27001: Broader in scope, ISO 27001 applies to organizations of all types and sizes, covering a wider range of business functions and information security requirements.

4. Flexibility vs. Structure

SOC 2: Offers flexibility, as organizations choose which TSCs to include based on their services and client needs.

ISO 27001: Follows a more structured approach, with mandatory requirements defined in its 10 clauses and 114 controls listed in Annex A.

5. Target Audience

SOC 2: Typically driven by client or contractual demands, particularly in the U.S. market, SOC 2 compliance demonstrates a service organization’s ability to safeguard customer data.

ISO 27001: Widely recognized globally, ISO 27001 certification is ideal for organizations seeking to strengthen their overall information security posture and achieve compliance with international standards.

How HC Shield Can Help

HC Shield provides expert guidance for both SOC 2 and ISO 27001 compliance. Whether you need a tailored roadmap for SOC 2 reporting or a structured framework for ISO 27001 certification, we ensure a streamlined and efficient process to meet your specific security and business needs.

Contact HC Shield today to determine the best compliance framework for your organization and enhance your information security practices.

No, SOC 2 does not provide certification. Instead, an independent AICPA-registered auditor issues a report that assesses your compliance with the Trust Service Criteria.

SOC 2 compliance requires key policies that align with the Trust Service Criteria (TSCs): Security, Availability, Processing Integrity, Confidentiality, and Privacy.  SOOC 2 compliance requires at a minimum the following policies: 

1. Information Security Policy: Framework for safeguarding data.
2. Access Control Policy: Managing system access securely.
3. Incident Response Policy: Handling security incidents effectively.
4. Risk Management Policy: Identifying and mitigating risks.
5. Vendor Management Policy: Ensuring third-party compliance.
6. Data Retention and Disposal Policy: Secure data management.

How HC Shield Can Help

HC Shield simplifies SOC 2 compliance by providing ready-to-use templates or developing custom policies tailored to your needs.

Contact HC Shield today to streamline your SOC 2 compliance journey.

At the heart of SOC 2 compliance are the five Trust Service Criteria (TSCs), which form the foundation for evaluating your organization’s data security and operational controls:

1. Security (Mandatory and also known as "common criteria")
2. Availability
3. Processing Integrity
4. Confidentiality
5. Privacy

The Security TSC is a required component of every SOC 2 report, ensuring that systems are protected against unauthorized access and threats. Whether the remaining TSCs are included depends on the nature of your services and the expectations of your customers.

How HC Shield Can Help

Determining the appropriate TSCs for your SOC 2 report requires a thorough understanding of your business operations and customer requirements. HC Shield’s experienced SOC 2 consultants specialize in scoping and aligning TSCs to your organization’s needs, accelerating your compliance journey.

Contact HC Shield today to leverage expert guidance and achieve SOC 2 compliance efficiently and effectively.

A SOC 2 audit is a comprehensive evaluation of your organization’s controls, systems, and processes to ensure they meet the Trust Service Criteria (TSCs) established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). The audit focuses on the design and effectiveness of controls related to Security, Availability, Processing Integrity, Confidentiality, and Privacy (depending on the selected TSCs).  The key steps of a SOC 2 audit are the following: 

Assessment of Policies and Procedures
The audit examines your organization’s documented policies and procedures to confirm alignment with SOC 2 requirements. These include security, data handling, incident response, and risk management policies.

Evaluation of Risk Management Practices
Auditors assess your organization’s approach to identifying, managing, and mitigating risks associated with data security and system operations.

Review of System Access Controls
The audit verifies that access to systems, data, and applications is properly restricted based on roles and responsibilities, ensuring unauthorized access is prevented.

Testing of Operational Effectiveness (for Type II reports)
For SOC 2 Type II audits, controls are tested over a defined period (typically 3–12 months) to evaluate their ongoing effectiveness.

Examination of Incident Response Processes
The audit evaluates how your organization identifies, responds to, and resolves security incidents to minimize impact and prevent recurrence.

Monitoring and Logging Practices
Your organization’s ability to monitor system activities and maintain detailed logs is reviewed to ensure compliance with TSCs.

Evaluation of Data Confidentiality and Privacy Measures
The audit examines how sensitive data is protected and managed, including encryption, data classification, and adherence to privacy policies.

Third-Party Vendor Management
The audit includes a review of how your organization manages risks associated with third-party vendors and service providers.

How HC Shield Can Help

At HC Shield, we provide expert guidance throughout the SOC 2 audit process. From readiness assessments to control implementation and audit preparation, our consultants ensure your organization meets every requirement efficiently. With our tailored approach, we help you achieve SOC 2 compliance while demonstrating your commitment to data security and trustworthiness.

Contact HC Shield today to simplify your SOC 2 audit process and ensure successful compliance.