SOC 1 vs SOC 2: Your Complete Comparison & Resource Hub

Your definitive resource for understanding compliance differences, implementation guidance, and expert insights to support every step of your journey.

SOC 2 compliance software

With Hicomply, you get an all-in-one platform that automates and simplifies every step, helping you secure sensitive data, demonstrate accountability, and strengthen your business.

Why SOC 2 Beats SOC 1 for Modern Tech Businesses

This standard was purpose-built for today's digital economy, addressing the unique challenges technology companies face when protecting customer information.

What is SOC 2?

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Created by the AICPA in 2010, Systems and Organisation Controls 2 provides a structured approach to safeguarding customer information from unauthorised access, breaches, and cyber threats. Unlike its predecessor, this framework addresses modern business realities.

Why Tech Companies Choose SOC 2

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Comprehensive Security Coverage
  • Establishes multi-layered protection against cyber threats
  • Creates systematic approaches to vulnerability management
  • Builds proactive incident response capabilities
  • Drives continuous improvement in security posture

2
2
Market Access & Competitive Edge
  • Opens doors with enterprise clients requiring compliance attestation
  • Demonstrates commitment to customer privacy and trust
  • Differentiates your platform in competitive markets
  • Supports expansion into regulated industries
SOC 2 Overview

Overview and break down on everything you need to know, from understanding the SOC 2 framework to implementing robust controls for safeguarding sensitive data.

Know More About SOC 2

SOC 2 Audit Process Deep Dive

This information security assessment involves an independent Certified Public Accountant (CPA) evaluating your business controls against established trust principles.

Audit Scope Review

Independent auditors examine your defined scope boundaries, ensuring clarity and accuracy before formal testing begins.

Evidence Documentation

Throughout testing, auditors record findings, exceptions, and recommendations for improvement opportunities.

Security Control Testing

Auditors systematically test control design and operational effectiveness across your chosen trust principles.

Final Report & Attestation

You receive a comprehensive client report including control evaluations and the auditor's final opinion on your information security practices.

Learn More About SOC 2 Audit Process

Implementation Best Practices

Success requires strategic planning across three critical areas: vendor relationships, infrastructure hardening, and privacy protection.

Third-Party Risk Management

Effective vendor management requires comprehensive risk assessments before engaging new partners and establishing contracts with explicit security and privacy clauses.

Companies should implement ongoing performance monitoring and review cycles while maintaining detailed vendor inventory and risk registers to track relationships and associated risks.

Infrastructure Hardening

Deploy the principle of least privilege (PoLP) across all systems and implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) for critical access points.

Role-based access control (RBAC) helps manage permissions effectively, while network segmentation and regular patch management create additional layers of protection against potential threats.

Privacy Protection Excellence

Document all customer information collection and processing activities while applying data minimisation principles to limit information gathering.

Provide transparent privacy notices with clear consent mechanisms and establish robust breach notification and response procedures to maintain customer trust and regulatory compliance.

Real-World Success Stories

See how businesses like yours achieved compliance success with Hicomply's platform - 90% of implementation work already completed.

Risk Management
Compliance Reporting
Policy Management
Incident Management
Audits and Assessments

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Risk Management
Compliance Reporting
Policy Management
Incident Management
Audits and Assessments