In this blog post, we'll cover:

• What is SOC 2?
• What is ISO 27001?
• What are the main differences between SOC 2 and ISO 27001?
• What are the similarities between SOC 2 and ISO 27001?
• SOC 2 vs ISO 27001: Which should you choose?
• How to become SOC 2 compliant?
• How to become ISO 27001 compliant?
• SOC 2 vs ISO 27001: Final verdict

What is SOC 2?

Systems and Organisation Controls (SOC) 2 was developed by the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA). It's a voluntary standard of compliance for service providers and has two types: Type I and Type II. In general, a SOC 2 certification is issued by external auditors.

SOC 2 compliance hinges on five principles or Trust Service Categories (TSCs); security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy. Demonstrating full compliance with all five TSCs gives your organisation a competitive advantage, especially in industries that require higher compliance standards, such as the financial sector. 

What is ISO 27001?

ISO 27001 lays out the specifications for implementing and managing an Information Security Management System (ISMS). It is the international standard for information security and is a more rigorous compliance process that addresses people, processes and technology. 

The ISO 27001 framework contains best practices chosen from a list of Annex A controls that cover all areas of an organisation; organisational issues, human resources, information technology, legal issues and physical security. These controls are identified and implemented based on a risk assessment. 

Based on this, an ISMS ensures the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of important information by addressing security issues across the organisation. To obtain an ISO 27001 certification, organisations must choose an independent accredited certification body. 

To tackle the question of which framework better suits your organisation, let’s take a look at some background information and how SOC 2 and ISO 27001 differ from each other. 

At DataGuard, we provide a range of services around information security, including consultation for ISO 27001. Learn more about our ISO 27001 consultancy services here.

What are the main differences between SOC 2 and ISO 27001?

Both SOC 2 and ISO 27001 assure customers and stakeholders that their data is protected. As a result, there is some overlap between the controls of each framework as they both address the confidentiality, integrity and availability of information; they both aim to instil trust in your customer base by mitigating information security risks and require an independent assessment of security controls.

SOC 2 and ISO 27001 are widely recognised certifications, and organisations can benefit from completing both. However, here are some ways they differ to help you decide if one is better suited to your organisation.

* The certification processes for both SOC 2 and ISO 27001 can be broken down into three main stages: Gap Assessment/Plan Definition, Implementation/Evidence Collection, and Audit/Certification.

What are the similarities between SOC 2 and ISO 27001?

Now that you know the differences, here’s a quick overview of what these two certifications have in common.

Scope of certification

Since both certifications are designed to ensure that user data is protected, there is an overlap between the controls. So if you want to obtain both certifications in the future (after being certified for SOC2 or ISO 27001), this process may be easier as you are already complying with some of the requirements.

Issuance of certification

Both certifications are issued by an independent third-party certification body. 

Time to complete

SOC 2 certification and ISO 27001 certification both require a similar amount of time to complete – if they follow the same three stages of certification: Gap Analysis/Assessment, Implementation, and Audit/Certification process.

SOC 2 vs ISO 27001: Which should you choose?

Ultimately, both frameworks increase third-party confidence in your organisation’s information security practices. However, the choice will depend on your organisation's needs and how the chosen framework and its controls align with your current practices.

Obtaining both SOC 2 and ISO 27001 certifications can be advantageous to your organisation. If you wish to choose one over the other, you must first understand the objectives of your organisation and the information security needs of your customers and stakeholders.

Pursuing ISO 27001 certification is a more rigorous process as it demonstrates a stronger commitment to information security, making it more desirable in stringent industries. 

Let’s break down the processes of achieving SOC 2 and ISO 27001 compliance. 

How to become SOC 2 compliant?

SOC 2 is not a list of controls, tools, or processes that must be followed. Rather, it outlines the criteria required to maintain strong information security. It allows organisations to select the practices and processes that best suit their goals and operations. Here is a basic breakdown of the steps needed to achieve compliance.

• Enlist the help of an external auditor to examine your existing security standards and find out what works and what needs improvement. 
• Following this assessment, select security criteria against the five TSCs. Document each security measure and measure their performance.
• Build a roadmap with the help of your auditor over the course of a few weeks to achieve full compliance.
• After a few months, conduct a formal audit to ensure that your SOC 2 systems are being appropriately managed. Provide evidence that you followed the correct processes.
• Once you get certified, continue to undergo annual audits to keep your security measures updated.
  
  

How to become ISO 27001 compliant?

ISO 27001 is applicable to any organisation that wants to strengthen its information security practices. This framework addresses security concerns across multiple domains of an organisation through an ISMS. Here are the key steps to becoming ISO 27001 compliant.

• Design a project plan that defines your information security expectations.
• Next, define the scope of your ISMS to determine what information is deemed necessary for protection.
• Following a gap analysis and risk assessment with the help of an expert, determine which security controls must be implemented.
• Implement these controls to mitigate the risks that were identified. Then, produce a Statement of Applicability and Risk Treatment Plan to your auditor as evidence of implementation.
• Carry out training for all employees to become familiar with information security.
• Document evidence that established controls are functioning in accordance with ISO 27001.
• Carry out Stage 1 and Stage 2 certification audits with the help of an external auditor to get an ISO 27001 certification that will remain valid for 3 years.
• Continue to analyse and review your ISMS to ensure you are remaining compliant. Periodic internal audits are important for this purpose.

SOC 2 vs ISO 27001: Final verdict

If your organisation operates within the financial or healthcare industries and has US-based clientele, you may opt for a SOC 2 certification. In contrast, European clientele prefers ISO 27001. Ultimately, consulting with key stakeholders is the best way to manage information security expectations.

Whether one framework is better than the other is entirely dependent on your organisation's needs. Both SOC 2 and ISO 27001 come with their benefits, but it is likely that you may eventually need to pursue both certifications as your organisation grows to cater to a global clientele. Deciding which information security certification to obtain does not need to be a difficult choice.

If you need help deciding which framework works best for you, speak with one of our information security consultants and get expert advice. For example, we can get you ISO 27001 certified in as little as 3 months.