When organizations consider SOC 2 compliance, one of the most common questions they ask is whether they can achieve it by focusing on just one Trust Service Criteria (TSC)—such as Confidentiality. The answer is yes, but with some key considerations.
Understanding SOC 2 and Trust Service Criteria
SOC 2 is an auditing standard developed by the AICPA (American Institute of Certified Public Accountants) to evaluate how service organizations manage customer data. SOC 2 reports assess compliance based on five Trust Service Criteria:
- Security (required for all SOC 2 reports)
- Availability
- Processing Integrity
- Confidentiality
- Privacy
While all five criteria are available, companies have the flexibility to select only those that are relevant to their business operations and client commitments.
Achieving SOC 2 Compliance with Only Confidentiality
Yes, you can achieve SOC 2 compliance with just Confidentiality—but Security is always mandatory. Here’s what that means:
- Security as a Baseline: The Security category (often referred to as Common Criteria) includes essential controls such as access control, encryption, logging, and monitoring. Any SOC 2 audit must include these controls.
- Confidentiality Focus: If your organization primarily handles sensitive data that needs to remain restricted to authorized parties, focusing on Confidentiality ensures that the right safeguards are in place.
- Industry and Client Requirements: Some industries, such as healthcare, finance, and SaaS, might require additional criteria like Availability or Privacy to align with regulatory requirements or contractual obligations.
Key Considerations Before Choosing Only Confidentiality
- Business Needs: Does your organization primarily need to protect confidential data? If so, this approach may be sufficient.
- Customer Expectations: Some clients might require a broader scope of compliance, covering additional TSCs.
- Regulatory Compliance: If your industry is subject to regulations like GDPR, HIPAA, or ISO 27001, a SOC 2 report covering only Confidentiality might not be enough.
- Scope Definition: Clearly defining your system boundaries, data classification, and access control policies will be essential for auditors.
Final Thoughts
While achieving SOC 2 compliance with only Confidentiality (and Security) is possible, it’s essential to assess whether other TSCs would enhance trust and meet customer or industry requirements. Consulting with a SOC 2 compliance expert can help you determine the best approach for your business.
Are you preparing for SOC 2 compliance and wondering which Trust Service Criteria to include? Contact us today for expert guidance!