With thousands of SOC reports issued, BARR not only serves as your auditor—we’re your trusted security partner. Throughout your SOC 2 engagement, our experts will show you how to use security and compliance as a differentiator, leveraging our services to help you achieve your organizational goals.
SOC 2 Compliance
Assurance for You, Confidence for Your Customers
Simplify Security and Compliance with BARR Advisory
The SOC 2 report is intended to meet the needs of a broad range of users that need detailed information and assurance about the controls at a service organization. The report can play an important role in oversight of the organization, vendor management programs, and internal corporate governance and risk management processes.
The report can be distributed to an organization’s stakeholders including user entities, CPAs providing services to such user entities, regulators, and business partners.
Organizations have the ability to choose one or a combination of the five AICPA Trust Services Criteria depending upon their customer needs:
- Security – The system is protected against unauthorized physical and logical access.
- Availability – The system is available for operation and used as agreed upon.
- Processing Integrity – System processing is complete, accurate, timely and authorized.
- Confidentiality – Information designated as confidential is protected as agreed upon.
- Privacy – Personal information is collected, used, retained, disclosed, and/or destroyed in accordance with established standards.
Organizations that should consider a SOC 2 report include Cloud Service Providers (e.g., SaaS, IaaS, PaaS), enterprise systems housing third party data, IT systems management and data center colocation facilities. If you want to communicate your organization’s controls are properly designed, implemented and operating effectively, then the SOC 2 report may be right for you.
Obtaining a SOC 2 report provides assurance to prospective and current clients that you have procedures and controls in place to provide reliable services, which will differentiate your organization during the sales process. Additional benefits include:
- Increased trust and transparency with your internal and external stakeholders
- Reduced cost of compliance and number of on-site audits
- Helps ensure controls are appropriately designed and operating effectively to mitigate risks
- Satisfaction of audit requirements
Our Proven Process
At BARR, we are committed to guiding you through every stage of your SOC 2 audit from kickoff to final deliverable and everything in between.
Phase 1
Connect
- About us
- About you
- Solutions
- Proposal
Readiness Period (optional)
Readiness Meeting #1
- Meet the team
- Confirm expectations
- System Demo
- Confirm Scope
Readiness Meeting #2
- Key processes walkthrough
- Threat model
Readiness Meeting #3
- Debrief
- Finalize scope
- Prioritize remediation
- Review controls
Readiness Meeting #4
- Remediate issues prior to audit start period
- Confirm controls
Phase 2
3-12 Month Engagement Cycle
Plan
60-120 days before period end
- System description
- Confirm team
- Request information
- Schedule assessment
Celebrate & Optimize
30 days after report issuance
- Debrief
- Rate engagement
- Improve security
- Next steps
Assess
Half day to one week
- Client interviews
- Validate evidence
- Conclude
Report
30-45 days after period end
- Draft report
- Quality review
- Client sign off
- Issue report
- Promotional package
Types of SOC 2 Reports
Type 1 Report
The SOC 2 Type 1 Report (referred to as a point-in-time report), includes an opinion over the suitability of the design of controls at the service organization at a specific point in time. An initial type 1 report often serves as the starting point for subsequent type 2 reviews.
Type 2 Report
The SOC 2 Type 2 Report (referred to as a period of time report) includes an opinion over the suitability of the design of controls at the service organization and the operating effectiveness of the controls throughout a specified period of time. This type of report is often issued annually.
For first-time SOC 2 audited companies, BARR is really helpful in preparation.
BARR Advisory ran a very efficient process that used my time in a very efficient way. I would recommend their services to everybody looking for an efficient SOC 2 certification process.
We felt very confident during our SOC 2 audit, knowing that BARR had the right competence and would help us along the way.
Contact Us for a Free Consultation
We’re here to help you!
Speak with a BARR specialist about your security and compliance needs.
Speak with a BARR specialist about your security and compliance needs.
Why BARR for SOC Reporting
BARR’s SOC clients report services lead to a 70% reduction in customer compliance questionnaires
SOC clients spend 75% less time spent on internal resources needed to pass audit
40% of BARR’s reports are delivered early
Proven practical, adaptive approach that simplifies SOC reporting processes
Team members serve on task forces responsible for developing SOC reporting standards
Competitive, fixed rates to accommodate growing enterprises
Client Testimonials
Frequently Asked Questions
There are multiple benefits that come with SOC 2 compliance. In addition to providing assurance to prospective and current clients that you have procedures and controls in place to provide reliable services, a SOC 2 report can also increase trust and transparency with stakeholders, ensure controls are appropriately designed, and satisfy overall audit requirements. When you partner with BARR, your SOC 2 auditor will make the SOC 2 reporting process as seamless as possible.
A SOC 2 report is valid for one year after its issuance date.
SOC 2 reports are intended to be shared privately with necessary stakeholders, including prospective customers and partners. Since a SOC 2 report often contains sensitive information, most businesses require signed non-disclosure agreements prior to sharing a SOC 2 report. If you have additional questions about how to share your SOC 2 report, ask your SOC 2 auditor to explain best practices.
SOC 2 is not a mandatory legal compliance requirement for any organization. However, some customers and third parties may only choose to work with vendors that have a SOC 2 report—meaning without one, you could be missing out on certain customers and blocking your company’s growth.
A SOC 2 report can take several weeks or months depending on the type of audit, scope, and complexity of the organization’s environment. Learn more about each step of the SOC 2 compliance process here.
A licensed CPA firm accredited by the AICPA, such as BARR Advisory, can help you navigate through the process. The auditor must be independent and have expertise in information security to ensure the audit is conducted accurately. Check out some of our tips for how to prepare for a SOC 2 compliance audit.
A SOC 2 is an independent review that evaluates your controls against industry standards to identify risks and weaknesses in security and compliance. A SOC 2 audit can help you improve your internal controls and build trust with your customers by prioritizing data protection. Read our blog post about what to expect throughout your SOC 2 audit.
While it isn’t legally required, many businesses are requesting this certification to ensure the security of their data. SOC 2 is crucial for technology companies that handle customer data in the cloud, as well as organizations in finance, healthcare, and education. Make sure your company is meeting the necessary controls to protect sensitive information.
There are five trust services criteria (TSC) that can be included in a SOC 2 report: security, availability, confidentiality, processing integrity, and privacy. We outline each TSC in this blog post.
Preparing for your SOC 2 audit ahead of time can make the experience significantly smoother and more efficient. Read this blog post to learn how to best prepare for your audit.
Whether you’re a healthcare organization navigating the complex landscape of patient data or a service provider working to process and store data in a secure manner, HITRUST e1 Assessments and SOC 2 reports play a pivotal role in assuring clients, stakeholders, and partners that you’re taking information security and compliance measures seriously. Check out the differences between the HITRUST e1 and SOC 2 frameworks.
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Contact Us for a Free Consultation
We’re here to help you! Speak with a BARR specialist about your security and compliance needs.