If your business handles customer data, you’ve probably come across the term SOC 2 compliance—a widely respected standard for data security. Achieving SOC 2 compliance helps build trust with customers, partners, and regulators.
But as you dive into the process, you may find yourself wondering:
Do I need a compliance automation tool to become SOC 2 compliant?
The short answer is no, but it could make your life a lot easier.
In this blog, we’ll explore what SOC 2 is, what a compliance automation tool does, and whether your business actually needs one to get compliant.
What Is SOC 2 Compliance?
SOC 2 (System and Organization Controls 2) is a framework developed by the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA). It sets standards for how companies should handle customer data based on five Trust Service Criteria (TSC):
- Security (mandatory)
- Availability
- Processing Integrity
- Confidentiality
- Privacy
There are two types of SOC 2 reports:
- SOC 2 Type I: Evaluates if your security controls are designed properly at a point in time.
- SOC 2 Type II: Tests how effective those controls are over a period of time (usually 3–12 months).
Whether you’re a tech startup or a growing SaaS company, SOC 2 compliance is increasingly essential—especially if your clients are in regulated industries like finance or healthcare.
What Is a Compliance Automation Tool?
A compliance automation tool is software that helps companies manage the SOC 2 compliance process more efficiently.
Think of it as your digital assistant for audits. These platforms can:
- Track your progress toward compliance
- Collect evidence automatically from your systems (e.g., AWS, GitHub, Okta)
- Manage security policies and employee training
- Create audit-ready reports
- Monitor controls 24/7
Popular tools include Vanta, Drata, Secureframe, and Tugboat Logic.
Do I Need a Compliance Automation Tool to Be SOC 2 Compliant?
No. A compliance automation tool is not required to get SOC 2 certified.
SOC 2 is a principles-based framework—it doesn’t prescribe how you must meet the criteria, just that you do. That means you can use spreadsheets, manual documentation, and internal communication tools to manage your process.
However, automation tools are becoming more popular because they save time, reduce errors, and make audits easier.
Pros of Using a Compliance Automation Tool
1. Saves Time
These tools eliminate hours of manual work by automatically gathering and organizing compliance evidence.
2. Audit Readiness
They help you stay audit-ready at all times with dashboards, reminders, and clear documentation trails.
3. Centralized Policy Management
You can manage and store your information security policies in one place—and most tools even provide templates to get you started.
4. Continuous Monitoring
Get real-time alerts when a control fails or if an employee hasn’t completed required security training.
5. Simplified Employee Onboarding
Easily assign security training, track completion, and manage access control for new hires—all from the same platform.
Cons of Using a Compliance Automation Tool
1. Cost
Many tools charge monthly or annual fees that may be too steep for very small businesses or early-stage startups.
2. Not a “Set-and-Forget” Solution
You still need someone (or a team) to oversee your security program, evaluate risks, and respond to issues.
3. Customization Limitations
You may need to adapt the tool’s built-in controls and workflows to fit your specific environment or industry.
4. Learning Curve
Some tools require training or onboarding to understand how to use them effectively.
SOC 2 Compliance Without a Tool: Is It Possible?
Absolutely.
If you’re a smaller organization with limited tools and a simple tech stack, you can achieve SOC 2 compliance manually. Here’s what that might look like:
✔ Set Clear Security Policies
Draft documents for access control, change management, incident response, etc.
✔ Assign Responsibilities
Designate someone to manage security and compliance tasks (e.g., monitoring, documentation).
✔ Maintain Documentation
Track control testing, employee training, system logs, and vendor assessments.
✔ Conduct Internal Audits
Evaluate how well your controls are working before bringing in an external auditor.
✔ Prepare for the Audit
Gather evidence, respond to auditor requests, and make improvements based on findings.
While this method takes more effort, it’s 100% viable.
Who Should Consider a Compliance Automation Tool?
Using an automation tool makes sense if you:
- Need to become SOC 2 compliant quickly
- Have a remote or fast-growing team
- Use many cloud-based tools and services
- Want to reduce audit stress and manual workload
- Plan to comply with multiple frameworks (e.g., ISO 27001, GDPR, HIPAA)
Hybrid Approach: Best of Both Worlds
Some companies use automation tools only for certain tasks—like collecting system logs or monitoring access controls—while managing the rest manually.
This can be a cost-effective way to improve efficiency without going all in.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need a compliance automation tool to be SOC 2 compliant, but it can definitely make the journey smoother.
If you’re just getting started and have a small footprint, a manual approach may work well. If you’re growing fast or want to save time and avoid the hassle of evidence collection, automation is a smart investment.
In the end, the best approach depends on your size, budget, team resources, and compliance goals.