Question 1

What’s the difference between SOC 2 and ISO 27001?

Accepted Answer

SOC 2 is an audit report based on the AICPA Trust Services Criteria (Security, Availability, Processing Integrity, Confidentiality, Privacy). ISO 27001 is a certifiable international standard for an information security management system (ISMS). In practice, SOC 2 is often used to satisfy customer/vendor due diligence in the U.S., while ISO 27001 is widely recognized globally. A company can pursue both; they overlap but are not the same.

Question 2

When should I get SOC 2 for my SaaS or cloud service?

Accepted Answer

Consider SOC 2 when enterprise customers ask for it, when you handle sensitive customer data, or when you need a standardized way to prove your security controls during sales and vendor risk reviews. It’s especially common for B2B SaaS, managed service providers, and data processors. If you’re early-stage, many teams start by implementing core controls (access management, logging, incident response, vendor management) and then schedule a SOC 2 Type I or Type II audit when customer demand justifies it.

Question 3

How much does SOC 2 cost?

Accepted Answer

Costs vary based on scope, readiness, and the audit firm. Typical cost drivers include: Type I vs Type II (Type II usually costs more because it covers operating effectiveness over a period), number of in-scope systems and locations, complexity of your environment (cloud services, CI/CD, multiple products), and how much readiness work you need (policies, evidence collection, control implementation). Many organizations also budget for compliance tooling and internal time to gather evidence and maintain controls.

SOC 2

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