Why is SOC 2 compliance important when choosing an IT provider?
It means your data is protected by rigorous security standards, reducing your risk and ensuring operational excellence. Essentially, SOC 2 validates the Managed Service Provider’s (MSP's) legitimacy and competence, assuring you they know how to run their business securely and effectively.
Your MSP, while not directly handling your data, plays a crucial role in protecting it.
SOC 2 compliance demonstrates that the provider adheres to rigorous security standards and best practices, minimizing your risk and ensuring operational excellence.
This gives you confidence that your data is safe, regardless of where it resides. This gives you peace of mind and allows you to focus on your business.
Components of a SOC 2 Type II Compliance
SOC 2 Type II compliance involves a comprehensive audit of an MSP by an independent third-party firm. This assessment examines the MSP's internal controls over a period of six to twelve months to ensure they meet the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)'s Trust Services Criteria.
The AICPA's Trust Services Criteria includes:
Security
- Unauthorized access
- Unauthorized disclosure
- Disruptions impacting availability, integrity, confidentiality, or privacy
- Systemic damage that could impede organizational objectives
Availability: Ensures information and systems are accessible and operational to meet organizational objectives.
Process Integrity: Focuses on optimized system processing, ensuring processes are complete, valid, accurate, timely, and authorized.
Confidentiality: Safeguards sensitive information and customer data in accordance with organizational objectives.
Privacy: Addresses the collection, use, retention, disclosure, and disposal of personal information in compliance with privacy standards.
The audit ensures that the MSP has the processes and documentation in place to adequately protect your data. It shows that your MSP has a focus on security.
What is a SOC 2 Type II Audit?
According to Kirkpatrick Price, a leading CPA firm, a SOC 2 Type II audit validates the security of your IT provider's services. This audit assesses the non-financial controls within your MSP that correlate with the AICPA's Trust Services Criteria.
When an MSP maintains their SOC 2 Type II compliance, it signals an increased commitment to data security and providing exceptional and secure IT services to their valued clients. This signifies that robust data security procedures are in place to protect your sensitive information.
A SOC 2 Type II audit carefully examines and reports on your IT provider's internal controls as related to the security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy of a system.
They have taken added measures of transparency to show that they care about protecting your business. Furthermore, they have proven to be suitable by a third-party assessor to handle that responsibility by achieving compliance.
Why Hire a SOC 2 Compliant IT Partner?
Do not settle for basic IT services. A security-conscious provider understands the risks to your business and acts accordingly. Their SOC 2 Type II compliance demonstrates this commitment, bringing you significant benefits, such as:
1. Uncompromising Service Quality
With SOC 2 compliance comes operational maturity. Your IT provider's services are fortified by rigorous internal controls, from background checks to vendor vetting, ensuring your network is in safe hands.
2. Unwavering Data Protection
Trust your data security to a SOC 2 Type II compliant provider. They meet stringent requirements for security, availability, confidentiality, and privacy, ensuring your business is protected.
3. Proactive Risk Management
Cybersecurity threats are a constant concern, even for small businesses. A SOC 2 compliant IT provider understands these risks and implements effective strategies to protect your data and prevent breaches. They act as your virtual CISO (vCISO), providing expert guidance and risk mitigation.
Pro-tip: Learn more about our NetSafe cybersecurity products and add an extra layer of security to your business.
4. Incident Response & Disaster Recovery Protocols
A SOC 2 compliant IT provider has comprehensive incident response and disaster recovery plans in place. Their systems are regularly tested, ensuring your business can quickly recover from disruptions and minimize downtime.
5. Continuous Improvements
Maintaining SOC 2 Type II compliance also means keeping abreast with technological innovations. A SOC 2 compliant MSP will leverage the latest hardware and software advancements in providing quality services to your company.
Net Friends is Your SOC 2 Compliant IT Partner
Net Friends is your full-service Managed Services Provider. We also maintain our SOC 2 Type II compliance year over year, which enables us to deliver exceptional IT services to our valued clients.
We stand ready to provide the IT services and support you need to secure your company and increase your market dominance. Contact Net Friends today!
WHAT TO READ NEXT:
Net Friends Achieves Sixth Consecutive SOC 2 Type II Compliance
How Security Assessments Help Businesses Conquer Cyber Threat
Zero Cost Security Improvements to Protect Your Business
Published: November 2021
Updated: March 2025
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