Exchange Technology Services

SOC 2 Type 2 Certification

Origin

SOC 2 (System and Organization Controls 2) was developed by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and introduced in 2011 as part of their Service Organization Control reporting framework. It was created to address the growing need for standardized security auditing as businesses increasingly moved their data and operations to third-party cloud service providers. The AICPA recognized that traditional financial auditing standards were insufficient for evaluating the security practices of technology service providers, prompting the development of SOC 2 to assess controls related to security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy based on their Trust Services Criteria.

Industry Importance

SOC 2 Type 2 certification is highly valued because it provides independent verification that a service provider has implemented and maintained effective security controls over a specified period (typically 6-12 months), rather than just at a single point in time like Type 1. This certification has become an essential requirement for vendors handling sensitive customer data, as it demonstrates to clients and stakeholders that robust security measures are consistently in place. Many enterprises now require SOC 2 Type 2 reports from their vendors as part of their third-party risk management programs, making it a competitive necessity for SaaS companies, cloud providers, and data processors seeking to build trust and win business with security-conscious organizations.