How is a SOC 2 Report Structured?

What is a SOC 2 Unqualified Opinion?

A SOC 2 (Service Organization Control 2) unqualified opinion is a positive assessment of an organization’s adherence to the Trust Service Criteria for security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy. SOC 2 reports are generated by independent auditors after they evaluate a service organization’s controls and processes related to the handling of client data.A SOC 2 (Service Organization Control 2) report is a document that communicates how a service organization’s systems and controls align with the Trust Service Criteria for security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy. The SOC 2 audit report is based on the AICPA (American Institute of Certified Public Accountants) standards and is often used by technology and cloud computing organizations to demonstrate their commitment to data security and privacy.

Structure of SOC 2 Reports

SOC 2 reporting typically consists of several key sections, including:

2. Introduction: Overview of the SOC 2 examination with an explanation of the scope of the assessment, including the systems and services covered.

3. Management’s Assertion: A statement from management asserting the suitability and effectiveness of the organization’s controls to meet the criteria.

4. Service Auditor’s Opinion: The independent auditor’s opinion on whether the organization’s systems and controls meet the specified criteria. This is often presented as a paragraph or two summarizing the auditor’s findings.

5. A Description of the System: Detailed information about the organization’s system, including its architecture, components, and functionality.

6. Risk Management and Risk Assessment: A discussion of the organization’s risk management processes, including how risks are identified, assessed, and managed.

7. Control Objectives and Activities: Explanation of the control objectives related to each of the Trust Service Criteria.

8. Tests of Controls: Details on the tests performed by the auditor to assess the effectiveness of the controls. Evidence of control operating effectiveness is typically provided in this section.

9. Information and Communication: Description of how the organization communicates its control objectives and activities to relevant parties, both internal and external.

10. Monitoring of Controls: Information on how the organization monitors and evaluates the performance of its controls over time.

Two Types of SOCs

It’s important to note that there are two types of SOC 2 compliance reports: Type I and Type II.

• SOC 2 Type I: Reports on the suitability of the design of controls at a specific point in time.
• SOC 2 Type II: Reports on the operational effectiveness of controls over a period of time, typically a minimum of six months.

Organizations undergoing a SOC 2 examination work with a qualified third-party auditor to assess and report on their controls. The resulting SOC 2 report is often shared with customers and other stakeholders to demonstrate the organization’s commitment to security and privacy.