Integrity360

SOC 2 Certification Overview

Origin

SOC 2 (Service Organization Control 2) was developed by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) in 2011 as part of their Service Organization Control reporting framework. It was created to address the growing need for standardized security evaluations as businesses increasingly moved to cloud-based services and outsourced IT operations. The AICPA developed SOC 2 to provide a framework that service providers could use to demonstrate their commitment to protecting customer data across five "Trust Service Criteria": security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy.

Industry Value

SOC 2 certification has become a critical trust signal in the technology and service provider industry, particularly for SaaS companies, cloud hosting providers, and data centers. Organizations value SOC 2 compliance because it provides third-party validation that a vendor has implemented appropriate controls to protect sensitive data, reducing the risk and liability associated with outsourcing. For service providers, achieving SOC 2 compliance is often a competitive necessity, as many enterprise customers and partners require it before entering into business relationships. The certification helps streamline vendor security assessments, as clients can rely on the audited report rather than conducting their own lengthy security reviews.

CREST Cybersecurity Certification

Origin

CREST (Council of Registered Ethical Security Testers) was established in 2006 in the United Kingdom by a group of cybersecurity professionals and industry representatives. It was created to address the growing need for standardized, recognized qualifications in penetration testing and cybersecurity services. The organization emerged from concerns about the quality and professionalism of security testing services, aiming to provide a framework that would certify both individual practitioners and the companies that employ them.

Industry Value

CREST certifications are highly valued in the cybersecurity industry because they demonstrate a practitioner's technical competence and adherence to professional ethical standards. Many government agencies, financial institutions, and large corporations specifically require CREST-certified professionals when procuring penetration testing or security assessment services. The certification provides assurance to employers and clients that certified individuals have been independently verified to possess the necessary skills and knowledge, and that they follow established codes of conduct. This makes CREST credentials particularly important for cybersecurity professionals working in regulated industries or seeking to work with organizations that have stringent security requirements.

ISO 27001: Information Security Management Certification

Origin

ISO 27001 was developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), and was first published in 2005. It evolved from the British Standard BS 7799-2, which was created in the late 1990s. The standard was developed in response to the growing need for organizations to systematically manage and protect sensitive information in an increasingly digital business environment. ISO 27001 has since been revised, with major updates released in 2013 and 2022 to address evolving cybersecurity threats and best practices.

Industry Value and Importance

ISO 27001 is globally recognized as the leading standard for information security management systems (ISMS) and is valued for providing a systematic, risk-based approach to protecting sensitive data. Organizations that achieve ISO 27001 certification demonstrate to clients, partners, and regulators that they have implemented comprehensive security controls and are committed to maintaining confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information. The certification is particularly important for organizations handling sensitive data, as it helps meet regulatory compliance requirements, reduces security incidents, builds customer trust, and often provides a competitive advantage in procurement processes where information security assurance is required.

ISO 27018: Origin

ISO 27018 was developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and officially published in 2014. It was created as the first international code of practice specifically designed to address the protection of personally identifiable information (PII) in public cloud computing environments. The standard emerged in response to growing concerns about data privacy and security as organizations increasingly migrated their operations and sensitive data to cloud service providers, necessitating clear guidelines for how cloud providers should handle personal information.

Industry Importance and Value

ISO 27018 is highly valued in the industry because it provides cloud service providers with a recognized framework for demonstrating their commitment to protecting customer data privacy. The certification is particularly important for organizations operating under strict data protection regulations like GDPR, as it helps establish compliance with privacy requirements and builds trust with clients who are entrusting their sensitive information to cloud environments. For businesses selecting cloud providers, ISO 27018 certification serves as a reliable indicator that the provider implements appropriate controls for PII protection, including transparent data handling practices, customer rights management, and restrictions on how personal data can be used or disclosed.

ISO 27701: Privacy Information Management

Origin

ISO 27701 was developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), published in August 2019. The standard was created in response to the growing global emphasis on data privacy regulations, particularly following the implementation of the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in 2018. It extends the existing ISO 27001 and ISO 27002 information security standards by adding specific requirements and guidance for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving a Privacy Information Management System (PIMS).

Industry Value and Importance

ISO 27701 certification is highly valued because it demonstrates an organization's commitment to protecting personal data and complying with privacy regulations worldwide. The standard provides a framework that helps organizations meet diverse privacy law requirements across different jurisdictions, reducing compliance complexity and legal risk. For businesses handling personal information, certification serves as a competitive differentiator, building trust with customers, partners, and regulators. It also streamlines audit processes by providing a unified approach to privacy management that integrates seamlessly with existing information security practices, making it particularly attractive to multinational organizations seeking to demonstrate accountability and privacy governance maturity.

PCI DSS Certification

Origin

The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) was created in 2004 by the major credit card companies: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, and JCB International. These companies formed the PCI Security Standards Council in 2006 to manage and evolve the standard. PCI DSS was developed in response to increasing credit card fraud and data breaches, establishing a unified set of security requirements for all organizations that store, process, or transmit cardholder data. The goal was to create consistent security measures across the payment card industry to protect sensitive payment information.

Industry Value and Importance

PCI DSS compliance is mandatory for any business that handles credit card transactions, making it one of the most critical security standards in commerce today. The certification demonstrates that an organization has implemented robust security controls, including network protection, access management, encryption, and regular security testing. Non-compliance can result in severe consequences, including substantial fines (up to $100,000 per month), increased transaction fees, loss of payment processing privileges, and reputational damage following a breach. For IT professionals, PCI DSS expertise is highly valued as organizations across all industries need qualified personnel to implement, maintain, and audit these security controls.