Standards in information security
SOC 2 “Service Organization Control 2” is a data security standard developed by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) to assess how organizations manage and protect their clients’ data. This standard is especially important for cloud service providers, IT companies, data processors, and similar organizations handling sensitive data.
SOC 2 defines criteria for managing customer data based on five trust service principles:
- Security: Systems and data within the organization are protected from unauthorized access and misuse.
- Availability: Systems are available when users need access.
- Processing Integrity: Data is processed accurately, completely, and correctly according to user needs.
- Confidentiality: Information is protected from unauthorized access.
- Privacy: The collection, use, retention, disclosure, and destruction of personal data comply with company policies and applicable privacy requirements.
Once an organization aligns its system with SOC 2 and undergoes an audit, it receives a SOC 2 report that confirms compliance with the security standard. This report can be a valuable tool in negotiations with clients, showcasing the organization’s commitment to data protection and ensuring the reliability of its services.
Questions to help determine the best standard for your organization based on specific needs and circumstances:
- What is the nature of your business?
- SOC 2 is often used by service providers, particularly those handling client data in the cloud. If your organization provides services and processes sensitive client data, SOC 2 may be useful, whereas ISO 27001 is more broadly applicable across various sectors.
- What level of international recognition do you need?
- ISO 27001 is globally recognized with certification, while SOC 2 does not involve certification, but reports may still be important for clients and partners.
- What are your resources for implementing and maintaining the standard?
- ISO 27001 may require more resources and time for implementation due to its comprehensive information security management system. In contrast, SOC 2 may be less demanding in terms of implementation, focusing on specific control points.
- What are your long-term goals?
- SOC 2 focuses on the current state of controls and compliance with specific requirements, while ISO 27001 provides a framework for continuous improvement in information security management systems.
- What are your clients’ requirements?
- If your clients or regulatory bodies require a specific standard, this may be a critical factor in your decision.
Advantages of Holding Both Standards
Although they cover similar controls, clients typically won’t accept one compliance standard in place of another. By holding both ISO 27001 and SOC 2, you can engage with clients worldwide without limiting your business.
When implementing secure protocols for both SOC 2 and ISO 27001, you have more control over protecting customer data.
What is NIST?
NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) is a U.S. government agency that develops standards, guidelines, best practices, and other resources for cybersecurity to meet the needs of U.S. industry, federal agencies, and the public. NIST’s cybersecurity activities are guided by federal statutes, executive orders, and policies, such as the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) mandates for federal agencies to implement NIST cybersecurity standards.
Key NIST priorities include cryptography, education and workforce, emerging technologies, and risk management.
Comparison of SOC 2, NIST, and ISO 27001
Security standards like SOC 2, NIST, and ISO 27001 serve different purposes and focus on different aspects of information security.
In summary, while SOC 2 and ISO 27001 focus on information security with different approaches and scopes, NIST provides comprehensive guidelines widely used, especially in the U.S. public sector.