SOC Reports
Stay informed on the latest in SOC reporting and compliance. AAFCPAs shares practical insights on SOC 1, SOC 2, and related frameworks to help you strengthen internal controls, meet client expectations, and demonstrate operational integrity. Explore guidance, best practices, and trends from a Top 100 CPA firm trusted by leading organizations. Learn more about SOC Reports >>
SOC Compliance Tools Under Scrutiny
Key Takeaways: Compliance checkmarks can mask operational gaps. Assurance pairs skilled examination with technology to reveal how controls actually function. Recent reports and allegations across the cybersecurity and assurance landscape highlight a persistent challenge: compliance indicators from compliance automation platforms may suggest alignment with standards, while underlying controls do not fully reflect how an organization […]
Understanding SOC Automation: Avoiding Pitfalls
CTOs, CISOs, and Heads of Compliance are seeing a flood of automation platforms promising a faster, more affordable System and Organization Controls (SOC) report process. These tools typically offer streamlined evidence collection, pre-built control libraries, and dashboards designed to simplify compliance workflows. While they can help improve organization and visibility, they are not a standalone […]
SOC 2 Reports for SaaS and AI Companies: Why SOC 2 Compliance Matters
Key takeaways: Strengthening Security, Governance, and Trust for SaaS and AI Companies Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping how companies develop software, deliver services, and engage with clients. For AI developers and providers, rapid innovation comes with heightened responsibility to ensure systems are secure, reliable, and well-controlled. SOC 2 helps organizations respond to customer and stakeholder […]
SOC Reports: What Subservice Organizations & Vendors & Need to Know
If a subservice organization (e.g., payroll processors, software firms, IT support, or medical billing functions) processes sensitive data, handles financial transactions, or provides critical services to clients, it may require a System and Organization Controls (SOC) report to demonstrate its commitment to internal controls and compliance. Subservice organizations are third-party entities such as process outsourcers […]
SOC Report 2022 Revised Points of Focus
In late 2022, the AICPA updated its guidance on performing System and Organization Controls (SOC) attestations with revised points of focus that offer enhanced context for meeting the criteria in your report. Organizations and their auditors should be aware of the updates and go through an exercise to actively incorporate these revised points of focus […]
A Startup’s First Steps to SOC Readiness
Early-stage companies have a lot to contend with, including funding, staffing, infrastructure, product development, and marketing, which can create a chaotic environment. Those that collect personal identifiable information or health information as part of their business model also must add earning their SOC (System and Organization Control) certification to the list. The SOC Report has […]
SOC Report: Why are our Sales & Marketing Teams Insisting we have one?
Prospects may ask for a SOC report as a way to assess the controls and processes in place at an organization before doing business with them. Many organizations, particularly in regulated industries or those that handle sensitive information, are required to demonstrate compliance with relevant regulations and industry standards. A SOC report can be an […]
SOC 2 Meets Death Master File Certification Requirements
The System and Organization Controls (SOC) framework may be mapped to achieve requirements of the National Technical Information Service’s (NTIS) Limited Access Death Master File (LADMF) certification. When choosing SOC 2 to achieve your LADMF certification, businesses may also benefit from the marketing value of their SOC 2 attestation, which demonstrates your commitment to access […]
Which SOC Report is Right for Your Organization
Navigating the landscape of Service Organization Control (SOC) reports can be complex, yet understanding the differences between SOC 1, SOC 2, and SOC 3 reports is essential for businesses leveraging third-party services. Each report serves a unique purpose, tailored to meet the varied needs of service organizations and their stakeholders.