SOC 2 Controls Simplified: A Guide To Staying Compliant

Your SOC 2 journey is much like your fitness journey. It brings in best practices and nuances in your security posture that builds your information security muscle. And just like how you plan your fitness regimen in terms of intensity and frequency (based on your fitness level and goals), in SOC 2 parlance, you deploy your key SOC 2 Controls based on your organization’s risk assessment, stage of growth, and customer requirements.

So, if SOC 2 is on your mind, this article is a must-read to understand SOC 2 requirements in terms of the Trust Service Criteria (TSC), the SOC 2 controls list and the common controls you can implement to meet them.

Also, you can download SOC 2 controls list pdf as a handy guide attached below.

TL;DR: SOC 2 controls are specific criteria for managing customer data based on security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy.
To implement SOC 2 controls, identify relevant trust criteria, establish security policies, and use monitoring tools to ensure continuous compliance.
The cost of implementing SOC 2 controls can range from $5,000 to $50,000+ depending on organization size, system complexity, and audit requirements.

What are SOC 2 Controls?

SOC 2 Controls are the processes, policies, and systems that you put in place to prevent and detect security mishaps and oversights to bolster your information security practices.

SOC 2 controls encompass a comprehensive set of measures derived from SOC 2 Trust Services Criteria that an auditor evaluates while creating a SOC 2 report. Some examples of SOC 2 controls include password management, multi-factor authentication, access control, onboarding, and offboarding.

How to implement the right SOC 2 controls?

Implementing SOC 2 controls requires a strategic and tailored approach. Begin by comprehending the Trust Service Criteria (TSC) and aligning them with your organizational nuances. 

Here are a few steps for effectively implementing the SOC 2 controls:

Understand the TSC: Familiarize yourself with Trust Service Criteria (TSC). Tailor your understanding of the TSC to your organization’s unique characteristics and operations. Recognize how each criterion relates to your specific business processes, systems, and the nature of the data you handle.

Define scope before choosing controls: Clearly outline the boundaries for SOC 2 compliance. Identify systems, processes, and data within the audit scope. Consider factors like business functions, the process involved, and third-party relationships.

Select controls based on applicability: Evaluate the specific nature of your business operations, industry, and data type you handle. Choose SOC 2 security controls that align with your organizational structure, ensuring they are relevant and effective in addressing your unique security and compliance requirements.

Choose controls for effective risk management: Prioritize controls that directly mitigate the identified risks and vulnerabilities. Assess the potential impact and likelihood of each risk occurrence to determine the order of priority. 

Pick controls that adhere to your compliance needs: Consider the controls that align with specific compliance needs in the context of SOC 2 and any other relevant regulatory requirements for your industry. This dual focus ensures that your readiness assessment covers a broader spectrum of compliance obligations, enhancing your overall security posture.

Experience the Sprinto Advantage: Streamline your SOC controls with Sprinto, a smart compliance automation solution. Sprinto’s security program evaluates your control environment, automates security controls, performs risk management, manages audit documentation, and enables you to adhere to the SOC compliance framework—all within a user-friendly dashboard. 

Must read: SOC 2 Compliance Checklist: A Detailed Guide

SOC 2 Controls List

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