{"id":505,"date":"2025-05-15T14:02:02","date_gmt":"2025-05-15T08:32:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.securis360.com\/blog\/?p=505"},"modified":"2026-02-18T06:56:36","modified_gmt":"2026-02-18T06:56:36","slug":"do-i-need-to-have-a-compliance-automation-tool-to-be-compliant-with-soc-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/securis360.com\/blog\/do-i-need-to-have-a-compliance-automation-tool-to-be-compliant-with-soc-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Do I Need to Have a Compliance Automation Tool to Be Compliant with SOC 2?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>If your business handles customer data, you\u2019ve probably come across the term <strong>SOC 2 compliance<\/strong>\u2014a widely respected standard for data security. Achieving <a href=\"https:\/\/securis360.com\/soc-2-compliance-services.shtml\">SOC 2 compliance<\/a> helps build trust with customers, partners, and regulators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But as you dive into the process, you may find yourself wondering:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><br><strong>Do I need a compliance automation tool to become <a href=\"https:\/\/securis360.com\/soc-2-compliance-services.shtml\">SOC 2 compliant<\/a>?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The short answer is <strong>no<\/strong>, but it could make your life a lot easier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In this blog, we\u2019ll explore what SOC 2 is, what a compliance automation tool does, and whether your business actually needs one to get compliant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Is SOC 2 Compliance?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>SOC 2 (System and Organization Controls 2) is a framework developed by the <strong>American Institute of CPAs (AICPA)<\/strong>. It sets standards for how companies should handle customer data based on five <strong>Trust Service Criteria (TSC)<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Security<\/strong> (mandatory)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Availability<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Processing Integrity<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Confidentiality<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Privacy<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>There are two types of SOC 2 reports:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>SOC 2 Type I<\/strong>: Evaluates if your security controls are designed properly at a point in time.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>SOC 2 Type II<\/strong>: Tests how effective those controls are over a period of time (usually 3\u201312 months).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Whether you\u2019re a tech startup or a growing SaaS company, <a href=\"https:\/\/securis360.com\/soc-2-compliance-services.shtml\">SOC 2 compliance<\/a> is increasingly essential\u2014especially if your clients are in regulated industries like finance or healthcare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Is a Compliance Automation Tool?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A <strong>compliance automation tool<\/strong> is software that helps companies manage the SOC 2 compliance process more efficiently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Think of it as your digital assistant for audits. These platforms can:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Track your progress toward compliance<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Collect evidence automatically from your systems (e.g., AWS, GitHub, Okta)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Manage security policies and employee training<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Create audit-ready reports<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Monitor controls 24\/7<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Popular tools include <strong>Vanta<\/strong>, <strong>Drata<\/strong>, <strong>Secureframe<\/strong>, and <strong>Tugboat Logic<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Do I Need a Compliance Automation Tool to Be SOC 2 Compliant?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>No. A compliance automation tool is not required to get SOC 2 certified.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>SOC 2 is a <strong>principles-based framework<\/strong>\u2014it doesn\u2019t prescribe <em>how<\/em> you must meet the criteria, just that you <em>do<\/em>. That means you can use spreadsheets, manual documentation, and internal communication tools to manage your process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, automation tools are becoming more popular because they <strong>save time, reduce errors, and make audits easier<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Pros of Using a Compliance Automation Tool<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. <strong>Saves Time<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>These tools eliminate hours of manual work by automatically gathering and organizing compliance evidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. <strong>Audit Readiness<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>They help you stay audit-ready at all times with dashboards, reminders, and clear documentation trails.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. <strong>Centralized Policy Management<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You can manage and store your information security policies in one place\u2014and most tools even provide templates to get you started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. <strong>Continuous Monitoring<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Get real-time alerts when a control fails or if an employee hasn\u2019t completed required security training.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. <strong>Simplified Employee Onboarding<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Easily assign security training, track completion, and manage access control for new hires\u2014all from the same platform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Cons of Using a Compliance Automation Tool<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. <strong>Cost<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Many tools charge monthly or annual fees that may be too steep for very small businesses or early-stage startups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. <strong>Not a \u201cSet-and-Forget\u201d Solution<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You still need someone (or a team) to oversee your security program, evaluate risks, and respond to issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. <strong>Customization Limitations<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You may need to adapt the tool\u2019s built-in controls and workflows to fit your specific environment or industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. <strong>Learning Curve<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Some tools require training or onboarding to understand how to use them effectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">SOC 2 Compliance Without a Tool: Is It Possible?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Absolutely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re a smaller organization with limited tools and a simple tech stack, you can achieve SOC 2 compliance manually. Here\u2019s what that might look like:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u2714 Set Clear Security Policies<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Draft documents for access control, change management, incident response, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u2714 Assign Responsibilities<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Designate someone to manage security and compliance tasks (e.g., monitoring, documentation).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u2714 Maintain Documentation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Track control testing, employee training, system logs, and vendor assessments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u2714 Conduct Internal Audits<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Evaluate how well your controls are working before bringing in an external auditor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u2714 Prepare for the Audit<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Gather evidence, respond to auditor requests, and make improvements based on findings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While this method takes more effort, it\u2019s 100% viable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Who Should Consider a Compliance Automation Tool?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Using an automation tool makes sense if you:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Need to become SOC 2 compliant quickly<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Have a remote or fast-growing team<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Use many cloud-based tools and services<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Want to reduce audit stress and manual workload<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Plan to comply with multiple frameworks (e.g., <a href=\"https:\/\/securis360.com\/iso-27001-2022-compliance-services.shtml\">ISO 27001<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/securis360.com\/gdpr-compliance-services.shtml\">GDPR<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/securis360.com\/hipaa-compliance-services.shtml\">HIPAA<\/a>)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Hybrid Approach: Best of Both Worlds<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Some companies use automation tools only for certain tasks\u2014like collecting system logs or monitoring access controls\u2014while managing the rest manually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This can be a cost-effective way to improve efficiency without going all in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Final Thoughts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>You don\u2019t need a compliance automation tool to be SOC 2 compliant<\/strong>, but it can definitely make the journey smoother.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re just getting started and have a small footprint, a manual approach may work well. If you\u2019re growing fast or want to save time and avoid the hassle of evidence collection, automation is a smart investment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the end, the best approach depends on <strong>your size, budget, team resources, and compliance goals<\/strong>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If your business handles customer data, you\u2019ve probably come across the term SOC 2 compliance\u2014a 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 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1015,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[296,297,55,298,299],"class_list":["post-505","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-audit-readiness","tag-compliance-automation-tools","tag-data-security","tag-saas-compliance","tag-soc-2-compliance"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/securis360.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/505","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/securis360.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/securis360.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/securis360.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/securis360.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=505"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/securis360.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/505\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1016,"href":"https:\/\/securis360.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/505\/revisions\/1016"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/securis360.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1015"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/securis360.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=505"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/securis360.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=505"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/securis360.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=505"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}