Is a bridge letter required for SOC 2?

No, it’s not required by SOC 2 standards, but many customers or partners may ask for one if your last report is outdated and your next audit isn’t complete yet. It helps fill the assurance gap.

Who signs the SOC 2 bridge letter?

The bridge letter is usually signed by someone in a senior leadership role, like your CISO, CTO, Head of Security, or even CEO, since it’s a self-attested statement from your company.

Does a SOC 2 Type 1 report require a bridge letter?

Yes. A SOC 2 Type 1 is a point-in-time report, so if it’s old, customers may ask for a bridge letter to confirm that your controls are still in place and nothing important has changed.

Can a bridge letter substitute for a new SOC 2 report?

No. A bridge letter is only a temporary update and not a replacement for an actual SOC 2 report, which requires an independent audit by a CPA firm.

Will customers accept a bridge letter instead of updated evidence?

It depends on the customer’s risk tolerance and internal policies. Some will accept a bridge letter as sufficient interim assurance, especially if your last SOC 2 report was recent and clean. Others, especially in finance, healthcare, or regulated industries, may request updated evidence or additional documentation until the next report is ready.

What’s the difference between a bridge letter and a gap letter?

They’re actually the same thing. “Bridge letter” and “gap letter” are just different terms used to describe the same kind of document issued by a service organization to cover the time between the end of a SOC 2 report and the start of the next one.

SOC 2 Archives

Blogs, SOC 2

SOC 2 Bridge Letter: What It Is, Why You Need It, and How to Create One

TL,DR: A SOC 2 bridge letter covers the gap between your last report and the next audit. It is self-attested, usually valid for up to three months, and does not replace a SOC 2 report. Include the last report period, control status, material changes, scope, issue date, and management signature. SOC 2 reports are point-in-time…

Blogs, SOC 2

SOC 2 Compliance Cost 2026: Planning A Comprehensive Compliance Budget

TL,DR: SOC 2 certification cost typically ranges from $30,000 to $150,000, depending on audit scope, organization size, and readiness level. Type 1 audits run $5,000 to $25,000 (assessing control design at a point in time), while Type 2 audits run $7,000 to $50,000+ (testing control effectiveness over a 3 to 12 month period). Hidden costs…

Blogs, SOC 1, SOC 2, SOC 3

SOC 1 vs SOC 2 vs SOC 3 Comparison — Overview & Comparison

TL,DR: SOC 1 covers financial reporting controls; SOC 2 covers security and trust controls. SOC 3 is a public-facing summary with less detail than SOC 1 or SOC 2. The article compares audiences, use cases, report detail, Type I, and Type II options. SOC 1, SOC 2, and SOC 3 are independent attestation reports that…

Blogs, ISO 27001, SOC 2

SOC 2 vs ISO 27001: What is the difference?

TL,DR: SOC 2 is a CPA attestation; ISO 27001 is an accredited ISMS certification, and neither one replaces the other. SOC 2 uses Trust Services Criteria, while ISO 27001 requires Annex A control coverage across the whole organization. Geography still drives the default choice: SOC 2 leads in North America, ISO 27001 carries more weight…

Blogs, SOC 2

How to Choose Your SOC 2 Trust Principles: A Framework for SaaS Leaders

TL;DR SOC 2 is built on 5 Trust Services Criteria (TSC) defined by the AICPA. Security is the only mandatory one; Availability, Confidentiality, Privacy, and Processing Integrity are optional. Together, these criteria determine your audit scope and the controls your organization must prove. The optional TSCs are chosen based on your product and customer expectations….

Blogs, GDPR, SOC 2

SOC 2 vs GDPR Explained: Key Differences, Overlaps, and Smart Compliance Mapping

TL; DR SOC 2 and GDPR overlap on key control areas like encryption, access management, vendor risk, and incident response—smart teams map once and comply across both. Treating them as separate initiatives creates duplication, drains resources, and slows down audits. Unified compliance operations are faster, leaner, and more scalable. Automating evidence collection, mapping shared controls,…