Laying the Foundation for Trust: The GRC Concierge Approach to SOC 2
At GRC Concierge, SOC 2 isn’t just a framework - it’s a foundation. A foundation for trust, for growth, and for building secure, scalable SaaS companies.
Developed by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), SOC 2 is centered around five key Trust Services Criteria:
Security
Availability
Processing Integrity
Confidentiality
Privacy
These principles are essential for demonstrating that your organization takes data protection seriously and for proving it to customers, partners, and auditors.
Why SOC 2 Matters - Now More Than Ever
Headlines are a constant reminder: data breaches are no longer rare events. From LinkedIn and Yahoo to Equifax and Facebook, high-profile incidents have made data security a business-critical priority.
In today’s threat landscape, a single security lapse can cost millions - not just in revenue, but in customer trust. SOC 2 compliance allows companies to take control of their security posture and show the world that protecting customer data is not optional - it’s operationalized.
What Is SOC 2 Compliance?
SOC 2 compliance is both a set of criteria and an attestation process. It’s about putting the right controls in place and having those controls independently verified by a licensed auditor.
SOC 2 focuses on how your company manages customer data - particularly in cloud environments - and evaluates whether your internal systems meet one or more of the Trust Services Criteria.
The Security criterion is mandatory in every SOC 2 audit. The others - Availability, Processing Integrity, Confidentiality, and Privacy - are scoped based on your operations and customer requirements.
How a SOC 2 Audit Works
Unlike prescriptive frameworks such as ISO 27001, SOC 2 is highly flexible. At GRC Concierge, we guide you through designing controls that reflect your unique business, while aligning tightly with SOC 2 standards.
During a SOC 2 audit, a licensed CPA firm assesses whether your controls are effectively designed and operating as intended. Every organization receives a formal report that details audit results, categorized as:
Unqualified: You passed - controls are well-designed and operating effectively
Qualified: You passed with some areas for improvement
Adverse: Controls are ineffective - major issues found
Disclaimer of Opinion: Insufficient evidence to form a conclusion
SOC 2 Type I vs. Type II
There are two types of SOC 2 reports:
Type I: Evaluates control design at a single point in time
Type II: Evaluates control effectiveness over a period of time (usually 3–12 months)
At GRC Concierge, we typically recommend starting with SOC 2 Type II - even if you’re new to compliance. Why? Many customers now require it, and starting here reduces your total time and cost by avoiding multiple audits.
Need to move quickly? A 3-month Type II audit period is often the ideal balance between speed and assurance.
Who Needs a SOC 2 Report?
If your company handles customer data - especially in a SaaS or cloud-based environment - SOC 2 isn’t optional anymore. It’s table stakes for scaling with trust.
Clients across industries ask for SOC 2 to validate that their data is safe in your hands. A SOC 2 report becomes a powerful sales and trust signal — one that unlocks larger deals, speeds up procurement, and gives your security posture instant credibility.
The GRC Concierge Approach
We’re not just here to check boxes. We’re your compliance partner - building out the right policies, controls, and audit-readiness materials tailored to how you operate.
Whether you're preparing for your first audit or upgrading from a Type I to a Type II, GRC Concierge delivers white-glove support every step of the way. From kickoff to final report, our expert engineers, compliance leads, and audit partners ensure your SOC 2 journey is seamless and strategic.
