System and Organization Controls (SOC) 2 framework guide.
SOC2 Type II is a compliance framework for service organizations (SaaS, cloud providers, data centers).
Who needs it: SaaS companies selling to enterprise customers
Auditor: CPA firm
Cost: $15,000 - $30,000 for audit
Timeline: 3-6 months prep + 3-12 month observation period
AuditKit coverage: 64 automated technical controls
SOC2 is based on 5 Trust Services Criteria:
Controls to protect system resources against unauthorized access
System is available for operation and use as committed
System processing is complete, valid, accurate, timely, and authorized
Information designated as confidential is protected
Personal information is collected, used, retained, disclosed, and disposed properly
Most companies: Security + Availability
Integrity and ethical values, board oversight, organizational structure
What AuditKit checks: Limited - mostly organizational policies
Internal and external communication of information
What AuditKit checks: Limited - mostly organizational policies
Risk identification and analysis processes
What AuditKit checks: Limited - mostly organizational policies
Policies and procedures to ensure directives are carried out
What AuditKit checks: Limited - mostly organizational policies
Most technical controls - AuditKit automates 18 checks
- CC6.1: Access key rotation, unused credentials
- CC6.2: S3 public access, Storage account security
- CC6.6: MFA enforcement for users
- CC6.7: Root/admin MFA
- CC6.8: Least privilege access
Example scan output:
[FAIL] CC6.6 - User MFA Enforcement
Issue: 12 users without MFA enabled
Fix: aws iam enable-mfa-device --user-name USERNAME
[FAIL] CC6.2 - S3 Bucket Public Access
Issue: 3 buckets allow public access: customer-data, invoices, backups
Fix: aws s3api put-public-access-block --bucket BUCKET_NAME
Most automated controls - AuditKit automates 12 checks
- CC7.1: CloudTrail/logging enabled
- CC7.2: Log retention and monitoring
- CC7.3: Backup and recovery
- CC7.4: Automated backups configured
Configuration management, system components, data
- CC8.1: Encryption at rest (S3, RDS, disks)
- CC8.2: Encryption in transit (SSL/TLS)
- CC8.3: Key rotation
System changes, incident management, business continuity
- CC9.1: High availability configurations
- CC9.2: Disaster recovery testing
Technical controls (64 total):
- Access controls (18)
- Logging and monitoring (12)
- Encryption (6)
- Network security (8)
- Backup and recovery (4)
- Vulnerability management (4)
- Change management (6)
- Other technical (6)
What AuditKit doesn't cover:
- Organizational policies
- HR procedures
- Vendor management
- Physical security
- Training programs
- Incident response documentation
- Point-in-time assessment
- "Do you have the right controls?"
- 2-4 weeks
- $10,000 - $15,000
- 3-12 month observation period
- "Do your controls work over time?"
- 3-12 months
- $15,000 - $30,000
- Required by most enterprise customers
# AWS
auditkit scan -provider aws -framework soc2
# Azure
auditkit scan -provider azure -framework soc2
# GCP
auditkit scan -provider gcp -framework soc2
# All providers
auditkit scan -provider aws -framework soc2 -output aws-soc2.pdf
auditkit scan -provider azure -framework soc2 -output azure-soc2.pdf
auditkit scan -provider gcp -framework soc2 -output gcp-soc2.pdf
# Generate evidence tracker
auditkit evidence -framework soc2 -format html -output evidence.htmlMonth 1-2: Technical prep
- Run AuditKit scan
- Fix critical findings
- Enable security services
- Configure logging
Month 3-4: Organizational prep
- Write policies and procedures
- Implement training
- Document vendor management
- Create incident response plan
Month 5-6: Pre-audit
- Re-scan with AuditKit
- Collect evidence
- Conduct internal audit
- Select CPA firm
Month 7-18: Observation period
- 3-12 month period (auditor decides)
- Quarterly AuditKit scans
- Track changes and incidents
- Collect evidence continuously
Month 19: Audit
- CPA firm conducts audit
- Reviews controls and evidence
- Issues SOC2 report
Based on SOC2 audits, most common technical failures:
- No MFA enforcement (CC6.6)
- Public S3 buckets (CC6.2)
- CloudTrail not enabled (CC7.1)
- Weak password policies (CC6.1)
- No log retention (CC7.2)
- Encryption not enabled (CC8.1)
- Access keys not rotated (CC6.1)
- No backup testing (CC7.3)
AuditKit catches all of these automatically
| Item | Cost (Estimate) |
|---|---|
| AuditKit Free | $0 |
| Policy templates | $0 - $500 |
| CPA firm audit | $15,000 - $30,000 |
| Consultant (optional) | $0 - $30,000 |
| Total | $15,000 - $60,500 |
Compare to: Traditional consultant-led prep: $50,000 - $100,000
Q: Can I use AuditKit's scan results with my auditor?
A: Yes. Generate PDF reports to share with your CPA firm.
Q: Does SOC2 expire?
A: Reports are valid for 12 months. Most companies get annual audits.
Q: What if I fail the audit?
A: Address findings and re-audit. Use AuditKit to verify fixes before re-audit.
Q: Do I need SOC2 Type II or Type I?
A: Enterprise customers typically require Type II.
Q: How long is the observation period?
A: 3-12 months. Auditor decides based on your controls maturity.