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SOC 2 Compliance Checklist for SaaS

1. Define Scope & Trust Services Criteria (TSC)
   • Identify your product/services covered under SOC 2.
   • Select relevant TSCs:
     • Security (mandatory)
     • Availability
     • Confidentiality
     • Processing Integrity
     • Privacy
   • Understand customer & industry expectations (some may demand more than just Security).
2. Implement Security Controls
   • Use SSO & MFA for all systems.
   • Conduct regular vulnerability scans & penetration testing.
   • Encrypt data at rest and in transit.
   • Restrict system access via least privilege.
   • Maintain audit logs for user activity & system changes.
3. Establish Policies & Procedures
   • Create and document:
     • InfoSec Policy
     • Incident Response Plan
     • Risk Assessment Policy
     • Access Control Policy
     • Change Management Policy
     • Vendor Management Policy
   • Communicate policies to employees and enforce acknowledgment.
4. Employee Training & Access Management
   • Provide annual security awareness training.
   • Maintain onboarding/offboarding checklists.
   • Track employee access and regularly review privileges.
5. Operationalize Key Processes
   • Perform regular risk assessments.
   • Run backup and disaster recovery drills.
   • Monitor third-party vendors (e.g., sub-processors).
   • Track incidents and document responses.
6. Collect Evidence for Audit
   • Use tools like Vanta, Drata, or Secureframe to automate evidence collection.
   • Log changes to infrastructure, policies, access rights, and security incidents.
7. Choose Audit Type
   • SOC 2 Type I: Point-in-time review of controls.
   • SOC 2 Type II: Review of operational effectiveness over 3–12 months (preferred by most SaaS clients).
8. Select Auditor & Prepare for Audit
   • Choose a licensed CPA firm experienced in SaaS audits.
   • Perform a readiness assessment (many SaaS companies do this first).
   • Close any gaps and run a mock audit if needed.
9. Tips:
   • Start with SOC 2 Type I if you're early-stage; grow into Type II.
   • Automate where possible. Manual evidence gathering is time-consuming.
   • Customers may request SOC 2 report during procurement—having it accelerates sales.

Full Report

A SOC 2 compliance checklist for SaaS companies includes establishing security policies, implementing controls, conducting risk assessments, and undergoing audits. Key steps involve defining the scope, selecting relevant trust service criteria, and addressing any identified gaps through remediation and continuous monitoring.

Here's a more detailed breakdown:

1. Preparation & Planning:
   • Define Scope: Determine which systems, applications, and data fall under the SOC 2 audit.
   • Choose Trust Service Criteria: Select the relevant criteria (Security, Availability, Processing Integrity, Confidentiality, and Privacy) based on your business and data use.
   • Conduct Risk Assessment: Designed for enterprise-level security and compliance, with a focus on decoupling deploy and release.
   • Gap Analysis: Compare your current practices against SOC 2 requirements to identify any areas needing improvement.
   • Remediation: Address any identified gaps by implementing or updating security controls, policies, and procedures.
   • Documentation: Establish written policies and procedures for data handling, access controls, incident response, and vendor management.
2. Infrastructure & Security Controls:
   • Access Control: Implement role-based access and multi-factor authentication (MFA) to limit unauthorized access.
   • Data Encryption: Ensure data is encrypted both at rest and in transit to protect sensitive information.
   • Monitoring: Implement continuous monitoring of systems and security controls to detect and respond to potential threats.
   • Malware & Ransomware Protection: Utilize appropriate tools to safeguard against malicious software.
   • Logging & Auditing: Maintain detailed logs of system activity and access, and regularly audit these logs.
   • Incident Response Plan: Develop a clear plan for responding to security incidents and breaches.
   • Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery: Establish plans to ensure business operations can continue in the event of disruptions.
3. Key Considerations When Choosing a Feature Flag Tool:
   • Security Awareness Training:
     Educate employees on security best practices, data privacy, and their roles in maintaining compliance.
   • Training Programs:
     Conduct regular training sessions to ensure employees understand and follow security policies and procedures.
4. Auditing & Certification:
   • Choose a Qualified Auditor: Engage a reputable CPA firm specializing in SOC 2 audits.
   • Schedule the Audit: Set a timeline for the official SOC 2 audit.
   • Review & Remediation: Analyze the auditor's report and address any findings before finalizing the report.
   • Continuous Monitoring: Implement ongoing monitoring and review processes to maintain compliance.

By following these steps and consistently monitoring your security posture, SaaS companies can achieve and maintain SOC 2 compliance, building trust and confidence with their clients.

Full Report

A comprehensive SOC 2 compliance checklist for SaaS companies centers on addressing the five Trust Services Criteria (TSC) established by AICPA: Security (mandatory), and optional but important criteria—Availability, Processing Integrity, Confidentiality, and Privacy. Here is a detailed checklist with key elements and steps for SaaS organizations to achieve and maintain SOC 2 compliance: