SOC 2 Compliance: Protect customer data with NordLayer
- Build customer trust: Demonstrate your commitment to data protection & privacy.
- Ensure regulatory compliance: Meet industry standards & avoid legal penalties.
- Boost operational security: Protect your systems from unauthorized access & data breaches.
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OVERVIEW
What is SOC 2?
SOC 2, or Service Organization Control 2, is designed to ensure that service organizations securely manage client data, protecting their interests and privacy. Developed by the AICPA, SOC 2 focuses on five key principles: security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy. Achieving SOC 2 compliance shows your commitment to protecting sensitive data and maintaining operational integrity.
THE SECTORS
Types of companies that benefit from being SOC 2 compliant
SOC 2 compliance is essential for companies that manage large volumes of sensitive information. This includes technology firms, especially those offering cloud services, SaaS, and other outsourced services.
Cloud service providers
Storage, SaaS, PaaS, IaaS.
Software development companies
System software, application software.
Data storage & processing services
Data centers, data analytics.
Financial technology services
THE BENEFITS
Why is SOC 2 compliance so important?
While it's not a regulation or legal requirement, SOC 2 compliance is crucial for many companies to succeed: it demonstrates a commitment to data security and operational excellence, which can be a key differentiator in the market.
- Trust & credibility: Being SOC 2 compliant helps build trust and credibility with customers by demonstrating a commitment to data security and privacy.
- Risk management: SOC 2 compliance empowers organizations to actively identify and mitigate risks in data handling and information security, ensuring a more secure operational environment.
- Competitive advantage: Achieving SOC 2 compliance gives organizations a competitive edge, setting them apart from non-compliant competitors.
SOC 2 TSC
The SOC 2 five trust services criteria
The SOC 2 trust services criteria are principles designed to evaluate the controls and processes that ensure the security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy of data within a service organization. These criteria help organizations demonstrate their commitment to protecting client data and maintaining high standards of information security.
Security
Ensures the system is protected against unauthorized access by implementing controls to safeguard data from breaches and cyber threats.
Availability
Ensures the system is available for operation and use as committed or agreed, addressing accessibility and uptime performance standards.
Processing integrity
Ensures system processing is complete, valid, accurate, timely, and authorized, maintaining data integrity throughout.
Confidentiality
Ensures that confidential information is protected as acommitted or agreed, safeguarding it from unauthorized access and disclosure.
Privacy
Ensures that personal information is managed in line with the commitments in the entity’s privacy notice, covering its collection, use, retention, disclosure, and disposal to protect personal data.
COMMITMENT TO QUALITY
How NordLayer supports your SOC 2 compliance
We help organizations achieve SOC 2 compliance with robust security features and services. While it's important to mention that we do not provide SOC 2 audits, our own SOC 2 attestation demonstrates our commitment to high standards of data protection and security.
Access Controls
NordLayer offers extensive access control solutions to meet SOC 2 requirements, including user authentication, authorization, session management, and audit logging. Our features, such as Virtual Private Gateways and MFA,Cloud Firewall, and Device Posture Security ensure only authorized access, while RBAC and activity monitoring enhance security.
Data encryption
NordLayer encrypts data in transit using quantum-safe protocols like AES-256 and Chacha20. Built on VPN technology, every connection is secured with protocols, including our proprietary NordLynx, to protect your data on the move. This helps meet the data encryption requirements of SOC 2.
HOW IT WORKS
Steps to achieve SOC 2 certification
Achieving SOC 2 certification involves a series of steps that ensure your organization meets the necessary standards for data security and privacy.
Preparation
The first step is to understand the SOC 2 requirements and Trust Services Criteria. Identify and document your current security practices and controls to ensure they align with these standards.
Gap analysis
Next, conduct an internal review to identify any gaps in your existing security controls. Develop a plan to address these gaps and strengthen your security posture, ensuring all necessary measures are in place.
Implementation
Implement the necessary controls and policies to meet SOC 2 requirements. Utilize NordLayer’s solutions to enhance your security measures, ensuring robust protection for your data.
Readiness assessment
Perform a readiness assessment to ensure all controls are in place and functioning correctly. Address any issues identified during the assessment to ensure your organization is fully prepared for the audit.
Audit
Engage an independent third-party auditor to perform the SOC 2 audit. The auditor will evaluate the design and effectiveness of your controls, ensuring they meet SOC 2 standards.
Certification
Finally, receive your SOC 2 audit report, which includes the auditor's findings and certification status. Use the SOC 2 certification to demonstrate your commitment to data security and privacy, building trust with your clients.
ARE YOU COMPLIANT?
Secure your compliance journey with NordLayer
NordLayer is committed to keeping your business data secure and compliant. Our product meets ISO 27001 standards and passes rigorous SOC 2 Type 2 audits. We adhere to HIPAA Security Rules and use AES-256 and ChaCha20 encryptions for top-tier data protection. Let us help you achieve compliance seamlessly.
Additional info
Frequently asked questions
The cost of a SOC 2 audit varies based on several factors, including the size of the company, the scope of services, and the complexity of its systems. Other factors influencing the price include the number of physical locations, third-party services, and the Trust Services Criteria being audited. Costs also depend on whether a gap analysis or additional remediation time is included.
The timeframe for achieving SOC 2 Type 2 certification can vary widely. Typically, it takes several months, depending on the organization’s readiness and the complexity of its systems and processes. This period includes time for preparation, implementation of controls, and the audit itself.
A SOC 2 report is typically valid for 12 months. Organizations need to undergo annual audits to renew their SOC 2 certification and ensure ongoing compliance with the required standards.
ISO 27001 is an international standard for information security management systems, focusing on the overall management of information security. SOC 2, on the other hand, is a compliance standard specific to service organizations, particularly those in the technology and cloud service sectors, focusing on the operational effectiveness of security controls.
SOC 1 audits focus on the internal controls over financial reporting, making them relevant for organizations that impact their clients’ financial statements. SOC 2 audits, however, focus on a broader range of controls related to security, availability, processing, data integrity, confidentiality, and privacy.
SOC 2 Type 1 reports evaluate the design of controls at a specific point in time, providing a snapshot of the organization's control environment. SOC 2 Type 2 reports, however, assess the operational effectiveness of those controls over a period of time, usually six months, offering a more comprehensive view of the control environment.
