SSAE 18 / SOC 2 Compliance

Ensuring Security, Availability, and Integrity with Expert Auditing

In April 2010, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) announced the replacement of SAS 70 by a new and refined auditing standard, the Statement on Standards for Attestation Engagements or SSAE 16. Originally designed for financial and accounting auditing, SAS 70 was succeeded by SSAE 16, which focuses on verifying data center operational and security excellence. Subsequently, SSAE 18 was introduced to further enhance the auditing standards. This led to the development of Service Organization Control (SOC) reports—SOC 1, SOC 2, and SOC 3—that address various aspects of data security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy.

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Types of SOC Reports

Understanding SOC Reports

SOC 1:

Purpose:
- Reports on controls relevant to internal control over financial reporting (ICFR).
Audience:
- Mainly auditors and stakeholders interested in financial reporting.
Example:
- Most companies processing financial data require SOC 1 compliance.
Advantages:
- Ensures customers that financial controls are in place, increasing brand reputation and trust.
Types:
- Type 1: Assesses the design of security processes at a specific point in time.
- Type 2: Assesses the effectiveness of controls over a specified period, providing historical data on control management.

SOC 2:

Purpose:
- Reports compliance with five trust principles: security, confidentiality, availability, privacy, and processing integrity.
Audience:
- Customers and other stakeholders interested in data security and privacy.
Example:
- A database-as-a-service company needing to host sensitive customer data.
Advantages:
- Ensures customers of comprehensive security controls, enhancing reputation and trust.
Types:
- Type 1: Assesses the design of security processes at a specific point in time.
- Type 2: Assesses the effectiveness of controls over a specified period, providing historical data on control management.

SOC 3:

Purpose:
- Reports on the same controls as SOC 2 but in a format understandable to the general public.
Audience:
- General public and broader audience.
Example:
- An organization achieving SOC 2 compliance may create a SOC 3 report to demonstrate data security and privacy commitment.
Advantages:
- Provides marketing collateral to spread the news of compliance to a wider audience.

Detailed Comparison of SOC Reports

Comparing SOC 1, SOC 2, and SOC 3

Aspect	SOC 1	SOC 2	SOC 3
Purpose	Report on financial controls	Report compliance with five trust principles	Report on SOC 2 controls for the general public
Audience	Mainly auditors	Customers and stakeholders	General public
Example	Companies processing financial data	Database-as-a-service companies	Any organization with SOC 2 compliance
Advantages	Work with customers requiring SOC 1 compliance; increase brand reputation; assure customers of financial controls	Work with customers requiring SOC 2 compliance; increase brand reputation; assure customers of comprehensive security controls	Provide marketing collateral; spread news of compliance to a wider audience

Benefits of SOC Audits

Why SOC Audits Matter

Improved Security Outlook

SOC audits provide an independent, third-party review of your processes and controls, helping identify gaps or weaknesses that can be addressed before customers experience issues.

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Efficiencies

SOC audit reports reduce the time spent dealing with customers’ auditors by providing comprehensive documentation, thus minimizing disruptions and potential errors.

Differentiation

Establishes your brand as a security-conscious company, giving you a competitive edge in the market.

Overlap with Other Frameworks

SOC 2 requirements often overlap with frameworks like ISO 27001 and HIPAA, enabling simultaneous compliance.

Less Regulatory Scrutiny

Achieving SOC compliance reduces the likelihood of data breaches and associated regulatory scrutiny, protecting against financial and reputational damage.

Our Approach

Our Comprehensive Approach to SOC Compliance

Readiness Assessment

Evaluating the current state of controls and readiness for SOC compliance.

Remediation Support

Providing guidance and support to address identified gaps and weaknesses.

Testing and Reporting

Conducting thorough testing of controls and preparing detailed audit reports.

SOC Attestation Report

Providing a formal attestation report through our aligned CPA partner.

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Our Expertise

Why Choose VANAPS for SSAE 18 / SOC 2 Compliance?

Proven Experience

Extensive experience in helping organizations achieve SOC compliance.

Expert Team

Leveraging the knowledge of skilled compliance and security professionals.

Comprehensive Methodology

Combining readiness assessment, remediation support, testing, and reporting.

Tailored Solutions

Offering customized compliance solutions to meet your specific needs.

Continuous Support

Providing ongoing support and training to ensure sustained compliance and security.

What Our Clients Say

We have been engaged with VANAPS for our Security Audit and Vulnerability assessment for last couple of years and they have performed exceedingly well with utmost compliance and professionalism. Kudos to the entire VANSAPS team for their extensive knowledge and expertise on the subject and thus helping us in betterment of our system and compliance, with their guidance. They never oversell what is more than required and are very clear and concise with their requirements. They are always available for any support and have a quick turnaround. We are very happy to have engaged with them and hoping to continue the same. All the best.

Bluechip Corporate Pvt. Ltd.

We partnered with VANAPS for their comprehensive security consulting services, and they have been instrumental in our journey toward ISO 27001 certification. They helped us navigate complex compliance requirements and improve our overall risk management. Their expertise in defining, reviewing, and maintaining essential processes, along with their proactive training and support, has strengthened our information security posture. From conducting VA/PT and secure code reviews to assisting with client security queries and providing antivirus solutions, their hands-on approach has ensured that we meet compliance requirements with confidence and robust risk management.

Herald Logic Pvt. Ltd.

Working with VANAPS has been a game-changer for our business. Their comprehensive security consulting services allowed us to better understand our risks and implement effective solutions. Their expertise in cybersecurity and commitment to delivering results has made them a valuable partner in our security strategy.

Shobiz