Trust is everything when it comes to data. As a company that handles critical information, we believe our security practices shouldn’t just be good—they should be exceptional and transparent. It would be hypocritical for us to talk about data integrity without holding ourselves to the highest possible standard. That’s why we invested the time and resources to achieve our SOC2 certification. This isn’t just about compliance for us. It’s our commitment to you, proven through a rigorous, independent audit, that your data is always secure with us.
Realeyes successfully completed a System and Organization Controls (SOC) 2 Type II audit, performed by Sensiba LLP (Sensiba). Developed by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), the SOC 2 information security audit provides a report on the examination of controls relevant to the trust services criteria categories covering security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy.
A SOC 2 Type II report describes a service organization’s systems and the operational effectiveness of specified controls over a period of time. Realeyes’ SOC 2 Type II report did not have any noted exceptions and was therefore issued a “clean” audit opinion from Sensiba.
What Is SOC2 Certification?
SOC2, or Service Organization Control 2, is a rigorous certification developed by the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA). It focuses on the security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy of customer data. Achieving SOC2 certification requires a comprehensive evaluation of our controls and processes to ensure they meet or exceed industry standards.
The SOC 2 Framework Explained
Think of the SOC 2 framework as a rulebook for how companies should protect customer data in the cloud. It wasn’t created by a government body, but by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) to provide a consistent way for businesses to prove they take security seriously. When a company says it’s SOC 2 compliant, it’s signaling to customers and partners that it has invested in creating and maintaining a secure environment for their information. It’s a way of building verifiable trust, which is essential when you’re handling sensitive data or, in our case at Realeyes, confirming human presence in a way that respects user privacy.
A Voluntary Standard for Data Security
Unlike regulations such as HIPAA or GDPR, SOC 2 is a completely voluntary standard. Companies choose to undergo the audit process to demonstrate their commitment to data security. It’s a proactive way to show customers that their data is being managed responsibly. According to Imperva, “SOC 2 is a way to check if service providers, like those offering software over the internet (SaaS) or cloud services, are securely managing your data.” By opting into this rigorous process, a company agrees to have its security posture inspected by an independent third party, providing a transparent look into its operations and building confidence with everyone it does business with.
Attestation vs. Certification
You’ll often hear people talk about being “SOC 2 certified,” but the official term is actually an “attestation.” What’s the difference? A certification typically means you’ve passed a test, while an attestation means an independent auditor has examined your systems and attests—or formally confirms—that your security controls are designed and operating effectively. While “attestation” is the more accurate term, the industry has largely adopted “certification” as a convenient shorthand. So, when a company says it’s SOC 2 certified, they mean they have a successful attestation report from a qualified auditor.
The Five Trust Services Criteria
The SOC 2 framework is built around five core principles called the Trust Services Criteria. The only mandatory criterion is Security, which covers the protection of information and systems. The other four are optional and can be included in an audit based on the services a company provides. They are: Availability (ensuring systems are accessible as promised), Processing Integrity (ensuring data is processed accurately and completely), Confidentiality (protecting sensitive information from unauthorized disclosure), and Privacy (handling personal information in accordance with privacy commitments). This flexibility allows a company to tailor its SOC 2 report to reflect the specific promises it makes to its customers.
Types of SOC Reports
Not all SOC reports are created equal. The AICPA has developed different types of reports to serve different purposes, and understanding the distinctions is key to knowing what kind of assurance you’re getting. While they all fall under the “System and Organization Controls” umbrella, they look at different aspects of a business. For a tech company handling customer data, the most relevant reports are typically SOC 2 and, in some cases, SOC 3. Knowing which report to ask for helps you get the specific information you need to evaluate a vendor’s security practices.
SOC 1, SOC 2, and SOC 3
The three main types of SOC reports each have a distinct focus. A SOC 1 report deals with a company’s controls that could impact a client’s financial reporting. A SOC 3 report is a general-use, high-level summary of a SOC 2 audit, often made publicly available as a marketing tool. The most important one for most vendor assessments is the SOC 2 report. As Fractional CISO notes, “SOC 2 focuses on how a company protects information systems (cybersecurity).” This is the detailed report that provides a deep dive into a company’s security, availability, and confidentiality controls, giving you the in-depth assurance you need.
Type I vs. Type II Reports
Within SOC 2, there’s another critical distinction: Type I versus Type II. A Type I report is a snapshot in time. It evaluates the design of a company’s security controls on a specific date to see if they are theoretically sound. A Type II report, on the other hand, is more like a video. It assesses how well those controls actually worked over a period of time, typically six to twelve months. A Type II report provides a much higher level of assurance because it proves that a company isn’t just talking the talk—it’s consistently walking the walk when it comes to security.
The Audit Process from Start to Finish
Achieving a SOC 2 attestation isn’t a simple weekend project. It’s a meticulous process that involves deep preparation, a formal audit, and an ongoing commitment to maintaining high security standards. The journey requires a company to document its policies, implement robust controls, and then invite an external party to come in and inspect everything. This process ensures that the final report is an objective and trustworthy assessment of the company’s security posture, providing real value to customers who rely on that validation to make informed decisions about their vendors.
Who Can Perform a SOC 2 Audit?
A SOC 2 audit isn’t something just any security consultant can perform. To ensure objectivity and high standards, the AICPA requires that all SOC audits be conducted by an independent, licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or a CPA firm. This requirement is critical because it brings the same level of professional rigor and ethical standards found in financial audits to the world of cybersecurity. As Palo Alto Networks explains, this ensures the audit is performed by a qualified professional, adding a significant layer of credibility to the final report and the company that earns it.
Defining the Scope
Before the audit begins, the organization has to define the scope. This means deciding exactly which systems, services, and processes will be included in the evaluation. For example, a company might choose to have its entire operation audited, or it might limit the scope to a specific product, like our VerifEye technology. This is a crucial step because the auditor’s final opinion will only apply to the systems and services that were included in the scope. A clearly defined scope ensures the audit is focused on the areas most critical to the company’s customers.
Key Steps and Preparation
The road to a successful SOC 2 audit is paved with preparation. It involves creating and enforcing strong security policies, implementing technical controls like encryption and access management, and continuously monitoring systems for potential threats. This isn’t a one-time setup; it’s an ongoing discipline. The process often includes a “readiness assessment” where a company evaluates its own controls against the SOC 2 criteria to identify and fix gaps before the formal audit begins. This preparation phase is often the most intensive part of the journey, requiring dedication from teams across the entire organization.
Understanding Audit Outcomes
At the end of the audit period, the CPA firm issues its formal report. This document includes the auditor’s opinion on the effectiveness of the company’s controls. The best possible result is an “unqualified” or “clean” opinion, which means the auditor found that the controls were designed and operating effectively without any significant exceptions. This is the gold standard, and it’s the outcome that provides the strongest assurance to customers. The report will also describe the company’s systems and detail the specific controls that were tested, providing a transparent look at its security practices.
Key Requirements and Controls
To become SOC 2 compliant, an organization must implement a wide range of controls that map to the Trust Services Criteria. These aren’t just suggestions; they are specific policies, procedures, and technologies that must be in place and functioning correctly. These controls are the practical, on-the-ground evidence that a company is truly committed to protecting customer data. They cover everything from how employees are hired and trained to how data is encrypted and how the company plans to respond to a security incident. It’s this comprehensive set of requirements that makes SOC 2 such a meaningful standard for security and trust.
Why We Chose to Get SOC2 Certified
Data Security Commitment: We are committed to the highest levels of data security. SOC2 certification demonstrates our dedication to safeguarding your sensitive information.
Client Trust: Your trust is invaluable to us. SOC2 certification is an external validation that we take data security seriously, which enhances your confidence in our services.
Regulatory Compliance: SOC2 aligns with various industry regulations, ensuring that we remain compliant with data protection laws, which can be crucial for clients operating in regulated industries.
Risk Mitigation: By systematically assessing and improving our security controls, we minimize risks associated with data breaches, ensuring our services are resilient and reliable.
It focuses on the security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy of customer data.
How Our SOC2 Certification Benefits You
Enhanced Data Security: SOC2 certification means that your data is stored and processed within a secure environment. We have robust controls in place to protect against unauthorized access, and data breaches.
Improved Reliability: With a focus on processing integrity and availability, SOC2 ensures that your data is available when you need it. It minimizes the chances of service disruptions and data loss.
Data Privacy: Data Privacy: Our SOC2 certification is ensuring that your sensitive information is handled with the utmost confidentiality and compliance with relevant privacy regulations.
Peace of Mind: Knowing that we are SOC2 certified should provide assuredness having undergone rigorous audits and assessments to prove our commitment to data security and privacy.
Our SOC2 certification reflects our unwavering commitment to data integrity and security. It is a tangible demonstration of our dedication to providing you with the highest level of service while ensuring your data remains safe and protected.
What Happens After the Audit?
Completing a SOC 2 audit isn’t like crossing a finish line; it’s more like the starting gun for a race that never really ends. Achieving compliance is a major milestone, but the real work lies in maintaining it. The audit report is a snapshot in time, confirming that a company’s security controls were effective over a specific period. To keep that trust intact, the process of verification and improvement has to be continuous. This ongoing commitment is what separates a true security-focused culture from one that simply checks a box, ensuring that protecting customer data is a constant priority, not a one-time project.
Maintaining Compliance Annually
A SOC 2 report isn’t valid forever. It typically covers a 12-month period, which means the clock is always ticking toward the next audit. To maintain compliance, a company must undergo a new Type II audit every single year. This annual cycle ensures that security practices don’t just look good on paper but are consistently applied day in and day out. It forces a company to stay vigilant, adapt to new threats, and continuously refine its controls. This recurring audit process is what gives the certification its value, proving a long-term dedication to protecting customer data.
Sharing Reports Under an NDA
Once a company has its SOC 2 report, it can share it with customers and partners to provide assurance about its security posture. However, these reports contain highly detailed and sensitive information about a company’s internal systems and controls. For that reason, they are almost always shared under a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA). This is a standard and responsible practice that protects the organization’s confidential security information while still offering transparency to its clients. An NDA ensures that the very document meant to build trust doesn’t become a security risk itself by exposing potential vulnerabilities to the wrong people.
The Investment: Costs and Effort of SOC 2
Pursuing and maintaining SOC 2 compliance is a serious commitment of both time and money. The financial investment alone can be substantial. For a small to mid-sized company, the annual audit can cost anywhere from $15,000 to $50,000. But the investment goes far beyond the auditor’s fees. It also requires a significant allocation of internal resources. Preparing for an initial audit might involve a team of three people dedicating several hours each week for up to six months. This level of investment is a clear indicator of how seriously a company takes its security obligations, showing that its commitment to protecting data is woven into the fabric of its operations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is a SOC 2 report important for me as a customer? Think of it as an independent, expert verification of our promise to protect your data. Instead of just taking our word for it, you have proof from a third-party auditor that our systems and processes meet high standards for security and confidentiality. It gives you the confidence that we’re not just talking about security, but have put the right controls in place and are operating them effectively every day.
You mentioned a “Type II” report. What makes that different from a “Type I”? A Type I report is like a snapshot—it confirms that a company’s security controls are properly designed at a single point in time. A Type II report, which is what we achieved, is more like a feature film. It shows that our controls were not only well-designed but also operated effectively over an extended period. This provides a much stronger level of assurance that our security practices are consistent and reliable.
What does it mean that your audit had a “clean” opinion? A “clean” or “unqualified” opinion is the best possible result from a SOC 2 audit. It means the independent CPA firm that audited us found no significant issues or exceptions with our security controls. In simple terms, it’s the auditor’s official stamp of approval, confirming that our systems are doing what we designed them to do to keep data safe.
Is this a one-and-done audit, or is it an ongoing process? This is absolutely an ongoing commitment. A SOC 2 report is only valid for a specific period, typically 12 months. To maintain our compliance, we must go through the entire rigorous audit process every single year. This ensures our security measures stay sharp and evolve with new challenges, making data protection a continuous part of our operations, not just a one-time project.
How can I get a copy of the Realeyes SOC 2 report? Our SOC 2 report contains in-depth, confidential information about our security infrastructure and controls. To protect this sensitive data, we share the full report with customers and prospective partners under a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA). If you’d like to review it, please contact our team, and we can walk you through the simple process to get you a copy.
Key Takeaways
- SOC 2 is about verifiable trust, not just claims: This certification is a voluntary, rigorous audit by an independent CPA firm, confirming a company has proven, effective systems in place to protect your data.
- A Type II report is the one that truly matters: It shows that security controls have been tested and proven effective over several months, providing much stronger assurance than a Type I report, which is just a snapshot in time.
- Compliance requires a continuous, annual commitment: A SOC 2 report isn’t a lifetime pass; it requires a yearly audit to maintain, ensuring a company’s security practices remain sharp and consistently protect customer information.