What if we are unable to pass all due checks on time? Will that impact my SOC 2 report or get me flagged?

If you cannot pass all due checks on time, it may impact your SOC 2 report, but there are ways to manage and mitigate the risks. The auditor usually does not impose a penalty as long as you can close the open critical items and implement the needed changes before the audit. So, the idea is to address critical checks promptly to minimize the impact on your SOC 2 report.

Failure to resolve these issues promptly can lead to the following consequences:

1. The auditor may note exceptions in the report, and in case of many unresolved issues, it may even impact the auditor’s opinion. So, you may get a qualified or an adverse opinion based on the gaps highlighted.
2. These exceptions can erode client’s trust and impact the organization’s reputation as it raises concerns about the effectiveness of your controls
3. The costs for remediation may increase as it may require additional resources
4. There may be a delay in receiving the final report

Tools like Sprinto can help you manage this process. The platform runs automated control tracking and testing at a granular level and triggers instant alerts when an issue arises. These alerts are high-fidelity alerts and the platform also indicates the criticality of these checks. This enables you to take proactive action and resolve the issues on time.

Additionally, you can check real-time control status on the health dashboard to get a quick snapshot of your compliance and security posture. Responsive integrations and Sprinto APIs power this continuous monitoring.

So to avoid failure, it is crucial to maintain diligent compliance practices for a favorable SOC 2 audit process and to maintain your compliance standing. And Sprinto can help you stay on track to reflect your commitment to maintaining necessary controls and practices.