Hello friends how are you all? Today we are going to talk about SOC – 2 Compliance Is the Most Effective Strategy to Gain Your Consumers. The business world has been transformed by technological improvements such as the introduction of the internet. Virtual data transfer in the form of cloud computing is increasingly being used in corporate activities on a daily basis. This is done through independent third-party service providers that offer cloud computing platforms.
Malware and hacking are common on servers that host cloud computing databases. These dangers jeopardize the safety of consumer information stored on these servers. That is why firms are now embracing SOC 2 to ensure the security of customer data.
SOC – 2 Compliance Is the Most Effective Strategy to Gain Your Consumers
What Does SOC 2 Stand For?
Developed by (AIPCA) the American Institute of CPAs, SOC 2 is an inventive guideline that aims to ensure maximum protection of client data at all times. Data is considered to be one of the most valuable assets today that is why Service Organization Control 2 compliance is a must for all types of businesses.
The audit trail in SOC 2 zeros in on 5 specific areas that touch on security, availability, privacy, confidentiality, and processing integrity.
Steps to Becoming SOC 2 Compliant
SOC 2 offers a holistic and flexible platform for evaluating how safe a firm is, in terms of client data protection. The security checks to be assessed purely depend on the nature of the business and the data hosting platform.
Security is a critical area that SOC 2 evaluates. During the audit, a firm’s data access protocols will be scrutinized for any loopholes. This is to ensure that no aspect can lead to unauthorized access to client data. Firewalls and passwords will be assessed for vulnerabilities to malware attacks.
The availability of the client data system will also be put to test. Controls on data input and access are analyzed for any potential faults. Guidelines on the level of access of each employee will be necessary. In a SOC compliant system, there should be enough checks such as passwords and different login details for users to prevent a data breach.
Confidentiality of client data should always be maintained. Data comes in various forms such as medical, financial records, or even intellectual property. Such sensitive data should not be accessed without authorization. The audit will check on the effectiveness of security controls such as encryption, firewalls, and passwords that regulate access to data.
Privacy of client personal details such as identification numbers and bank accounts will also be put to test and any potential risks evaluated.
It is only after evaluating the above principles that an audit can confidently reveal if a firm’s integrity is upheld when it comes to offering security to customer data.
Reasons for Adopting SOC 2
As a client mobilization strategy, businesses are now incorporating SOC 2 into their business model.
Methodical Audit Approach
The audit approach used in SOC 2 was developed after consultations by various professionals. AIPCA, the developer, is a globally renowned audit policymaker. The facts brought forward after such audits are thus a true revelation of the security status of a company when it comes to client data protection.
Firms adopting this kind of audit will have an improved corporate image. The audit report can confidently be used in a company’s marketing strategy as one of the proofs of client’s data safety giving the firm a competitive edge.
Detection of Potential Errors
For a client, a data breach poses a big threat that should always be avoided at all costs. SOC 2 reports are quite detailed and if done frequently, a firm can identify any potential data breaches before they happen. From the client’s perspective, a business that has adopted SOC 2 will stand out as being proactive and always keen on ensuring client data is safe at all times. This will boost the client’s confidence in the business brand as a whole.
Guided Business Growth
For a business, the growth of the client base is an important step when it comes to increasing business margins. An increase in the number of clients normally translates to an increase in the volume of client data to be handled. Without proper planning business growth can be a vulnerability to client data security if not properly thought out.
SOC 2 offers a detailed analysis of business operations and highlights potential red zones when it comes to data protection. By using SOC 2 audit reports, a firm can come up with a strategic expansion plan that minimizes the risks of data breaches.
Enhancing Digital Marketing
Nothing beats an attractive webpage as a digital marketing tool. For firms that adopt SOC 2 marketing, having that badge certification can be a game-changer when attracting new clients. Due to the risks posed by cybercrime, clients are now very keen on data protection.
A firm with updated SOC 2 certification will always look more trustworthy to clients.
Clients Save Money
For a client, the financial investment in a business is purely for the benefit of enjoying a particular service. A data breach can expose a client to additional losses in the form of fraud using a client’s personal information such as credit card details. By adopting SOC 2 compliance, a client can be assured of their financial security any time they offer to avail sensitive personal data to a company.
The Value of Compliance
Businesses are required to operate under specific guidelines. For a client, compliance is a sign of integrity in operations. SOC 2 compliance is a key indicator that a business is not only legitimate in terms of operations but also values the client’s needs. Clients need constant reassurance that their data is safe and SOC 2 compliance certification will always provide that.
SOC 2 is also internationally recognized making it a very important measure of a firm’s client data protection capabilities.
Conclusion
Data protection is now a major concern for any business. Loss or breach of client data can be very costly for a firm. In the past hacking attempts on business data servers have led to huge losses in the form of ransom and also mass client exits when data breaches occur.
SOC 2 is now, more than ever, a vital data security measure that should be adopted by firms as a way of minimizing the risks posed by cybercrime. A firm that adopts SOE 2 will always attract potential clients easily.