AICPA SOC 2 compliance
( Service Organization Control 2)
AICPA SOC 2 Compliance Services
Key Components of AICPA SOC 2 Compliance
Trust Service Criteria
SOC 2 compliance centers on Trust Service Criteria, emphasizing five principles. Security safeguards against unauthorized access, covering both physical and logical protection. Availability ensures committed accessibility, emphasizing operational reliability.
Scope
Organizations define the scope of their SOC 2 compliance, specifying the systems and services covered by the assessment. This is crucial for determining the boundaries within which the Trust Service Criteria will be applied.
Risk Management
Companies undergoing SOC 2 compliance are required to implement a risk management program. This involves identifying and assessing potential risks to the security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy of customer data.
Policies and Procedures
Documenting and implementing comprehensive policies and procedures are essential for SOC 2 compliance. This includes everything from data handling procedures to incident response plans.
Security Measures
Organizations must implement robust security measures to protect against unauthorized access, both physical and logical. This includes measures such as access controls, encryption, and monitoring of security events.
Third-Party Vendor Management
If the organization relies on third-party vendors for any part of its service delivery, it must ensure that these vendors also adhere to SOC 2 principles. This involves assessing the security practices of vendors and managing potential risks associated with third-party relationships.
Continuous Monitoring and Improvement
SOC 2 compliance is not a one-time effort; it requires continuous monitoring and improvement. Organizations must regularly assess and refine their security measures to adapt to evolving threats and changes in the business environment.
Objectives of AICPA SOC 2 Compliance
The objectives of AICPA SOC 2 (Service Organization Control 2) compliance services are centered around ensuring the security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy of information processed and stored by service organizations.
Security
Ensure that the system and data are protected against unauthorized access, both physically and logically, by implementing robust security measures.
Availability
Ensure that the system is available for operation and use as committed or agreed upon, emphasizing the importance of maintaining operational reliability.
Processing Integrity
Ensure that system processing is complete, valid, accurate, timely, and authorized to maintain the integrity of data throughout its lifecycle.
Confidentiality
Ensure that designated confidential information is protected as committed or agreed upon, preventing unauthorized access and disclosure of sensitive data.
Privacy
Ensure that personal information is collected, used, retained, disclosed, and disposed of in conformity with the commitments in the entity’s privacy notice, covering the entire data lifecycle.