In the age of cloud computing and digital services, customers expect their data to be secure, systems to be reliable, and service providers to be transparent about how they manage information. One of the most widely recognized ways to demonstrate this is through SOC 2 compliance.
SOC 2 reports are especially important for technology and SaaS companies handling sensitive data, but many organizations wonder: Do I need to comply with all five Trust Service Criteria (TSC), or can I focus on just one—such as Availability—to achieve SOC 2 certification? The answer is yes, but with important considerations.
This article breaks down the structure of SOC 2, the role of the Availability criteria, and when a single-criteria approach makes sense.
Understanding SOC 2 and the Trust Service Criteria
SOC 2 (System and Organization Controls 2) is a framework developed by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). It assesses how service organizations manage data, based on five key Trust Service Criteria:
- Security – Protection against unauthorized access and breaches
- Availability – Ensuring systems are available for use as committed or agreed
- Processing Integrity – Ensuring system processing is complete, accurate, and timely
- Confidentiality – Protecting sensitive information from unauthorized disclosure
- Privacy – Managing personal information according to fair information practices
Organizations can choose which criteria to include in their SOC 2 audit based on what’s relevant to their services and client expectations.
Can You Really Choose Just One Trust Service Criteria?
Yes. SOC 2 is modular and customizable, which means you do not have to be audited against all five Trust Service Criteria. You can pursue SOC 2 compliance for just one area—such as Availability—if that aligns with your service offerings and client commitments.
This flexibility allows businesses to scale their compliance efforts gradually, especially startups or mid-sized firms with limited resources.
Why Choose Availability as Your Primary Trust Service Criteria?
The Availability criteria focus on system uptime, performance, and resilience. It evaluates how well your infrastructure supports your service commitments related to accessibility and operational continuity.
You might consider an Availability-focused SOC 2 if:
- Your product’s core value lies in system reliability or uptime (e.g., hosting platforms, APIs, SaaS products)
- Your clients prioritize operational continuity more than data privacy or processing accuracy
- You’re in an early stage of growth and want a stepping stone toward full SOC 2 compliance
Benefits of an Availability-Focused SOC 2 Approach
1. Faster Time to Compliance
Fewer criteria mean fewer controls to document, implement, and test—leading to a quicker audit process.
2. Reduced Audit Scope and Cost
Limiting your audit to Availability can lower the cost, especially helpful for smaller organizations working with lean budgets.
3. Demonstrates Operational Reliability
You can still build credibility and customer trust by showing you’ve taken steps to guarantee uptime and service continuity.
4. Flexibility to Scale Later
Starting with Availability allows you to expand your scope in future audits to include Security, Confidentiality, or Privacy as needed.
Limitations of Using Only Availability Criteria
While there are clear advantages, there are also some potential drawbacks to a single-criteria approach.
1. Incomplete Security Posture
Availability does not cover data protection, encryption, or access control. If you handle sensitive customer data, omitting Security or Confidentiality could raise red flags with customers.
2. Customer Expectations
Many enterprise clients expect a broader SOC 2 report that includes Security at a minimum. You may face additional scrutiny during vendor assessments.
3. Regulatory or Industry Constraints
If you’re in a regulated industry (e.g., healthcare or finance), Availability alone may not satisfy compliance requirements.
What Does the Availability Criteria Cover in a SOC 2 Audit?
The Availability TSC assesses whether your system is:
- Available and accessible as per your service-level agreements (SLAs)
- Equipped with redundancy and failover mechanisms
- Protected by disaster recovery and business continuity plans
- Monitored for uptime, performance, and capacity planning
- Maintained through change management and incident response processes
Auditors will examine documentation, test controls, and review evidence to ensure your systems meet these standards.
SOC 2 Type I vs. Type II: What’s the Difference?
When pursuing SOC 2 (even with only one TSC), you’ll need to decide between:
- SOC 2 Type I – Evaluates the design of controls at a single point in time
- SOC 2 Type II – Evaluates the design and effectiveness of controls over a period (typically 3–12 months)
For clients looking for stronger assurances, Type II reports are usually preferred.
Best Practices for an Availability-Only SOC 2 Audit
- Define Clear SLAs: Ensure your service agreements specify uptime targets and response times
- Implement Monitoring Tools: Use APM, uptime monitors, and alerting tools to track system performance
- Develop and Test DR Plans: Your disaster recovery and business continuity plans should be documented and regularly tested
- Log and Review Incidents: Implement a structured process to log, resolve, and learn from availability-related incidents
- Maintain Change Control: Ensure all system changes are evaluated for their impact on availability
Is This Approach Right for You?
A SOC 2 audit based solely on the Availability criteria may be right for your organization if:
- You offer infrastructure or platform services where uptime is your core value proposition
- You’re not handling highly sensitive customer data
- You need a cost-effective entry point into the world of SOC 2 compliance
- Your clients prioritize reliability but haven’t yet required full SOC 2 coverage
Conclusion
Yes, you can achieve SOC 2 compliance by focusing solely on one Trust Service Criteria, such as Availability. It’s a valid strategy for many organizations, especially those in early growth phases or offering services centered around operational uptime.
However, it’s important to weigh the benefits against potential limitations. If your services involve data handling, access control, or privacy concerns, you’ll likely need to expand your scope to include other TSCs like Security and Confidentiality.
Start small—but plan for growth. As your business evolves, so too should your compliance and security programs.