Is there a validity period for the SOC 2 report you receive after an audit?

The report does not necessarily expire in a formal manner, but most people consider it valid for a year from the issue date. After that time, your customers or partners may consider it irrelevant and discard it as such because they expect you to be relevant to today’s compliance and security standards.

Nearly all service organizations decide to obtain a new SOC 2 attestation every year. This allows an organization to continuously maintain compliance and inform its customers that it has functioning controls.

You have to go through the certification process again if, for instance, you went through the audit more than a year ago to keep your SOC 2.

Recertification Process

The recertification process is usually quicker for organizations that have already completed SOC 2 certification. However, careful attention and effort are still required to ensure that all controls are up to date.

The process can be more time-consuming for those obtaining SOC 2 attestation for the first time. The initial certification timeline can sometimes stretch to 12 months, although the average time to complete the process is closer to six months.

This timeline includes several steps, from assessing your controls to implementing any necessary improvements and undergoing the audit.

In short, while your SOC 2 report is valid for around a year, maintaining compliance is an ongoing effort.