We are excited to share that our organization has successfully achieved SOC 2 Type I certification, marking a significant milestone in our commitment to data security and operational integrity. This certification is not just an accolade but a reflection of our steadfast dedication to upholding the highest security standards of information security and providing exceptional service to our clients and business partners.
What is SOC 2 Certification?
SOC 2 is an auditing procedure developed by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants - CPAs (AICPA) that evaluates a company's information systems relevant to the five Trust Service Criteria - TSC of security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy. The certification comes in two types of SOC: Type I and Type II. SOC 2 Type I certification confirms that a company's systems and controls are designed effectively to meet the relevant trust principles at a specific point in time or period of time, while SOC 2 Type II assesses the operational effectiveness of those controls over a period, typically at least six months.
Importance of SOC 2 Type 1 and SOC 2 Type 2 in the Consulting and MSP Industry
Being SOC 2 certified is crucial for any service organization, but it is especially important for consulting firms and managed service providers (MSPs). It demonstrates a commitment to secure and reliable operations and builds trust with clients and partners who rely on their services for critical business functions. Consulting and MSP services often handle sensitive data and complex processes; thus, adhering to SOC 2 standards ensures that they manage and protect this data with the highest level of security and professionalism.
Strengthening Client Confidence
Achieving SOC 2 Type I certification means that we have established and follow strict information security policies and procedures. This assures our clients that we prioritize their data's security and integrity and are committed to delivering secure, reliable services. It's a clear indicator to our clients that we take data protection seriously and are proactively working to safeguard their information against emerging cyber threats and vulnerabilities.
Enhancing Business Partnerships
For our business partners, our SOC 2 certification is a reassurance of our operational excellence and reliability that continues to build trust around our brand and team. It fosters a stronger, more trustworthy business relationship, ensuring that we have the necessary controls and systems in place to manage and process data securely. This level of assurance is particularly important in the consulting and MSP sector, where the handling of client information is a regular and critical part of daily operations.
Our Path to SOC 2 Type I Certification
Achieving SOC 2 Type I certification involved a comprehensive evaluation of our company's security posture, systems, and control mechanisms. This rigorous process required meticulous planning, implementation, and review of our information security practices. Our team worked diligently to ensure that every aspect of our operation met the stringent criteria set forth by the SOC 2 standards, focusing on areas such as:
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Security: Implementing robust security measures or security controls to protect against unauthorized access and data breaches.
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Availability: Ensuring our services are available to clients as committed or agreed upon.
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Processing Integrity: Verifying that our systems processing is complete, valid, accurate, timely, and authorized.
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Confidentiality: Protecting information designated as confidential from unauthorized access and disclosure.
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Privacy: Safeguarding personal information collected, used, retained, disclosed, and disposed of, in conformity with the privacy notice.
Looking Forward: Our Commitment to Continuous Improvement and SOC 2 Type II
While SOC 2 Type I certification is a critical achievement, we view it as the beginning of our journey in continuous improvement and commitment to security and excellence. Our next goal is to achieve SOC 2 Type II certification, demonstrating the operational effectiveness of our controls over time.
We are dedicated to maintaining and enhancing our security measures, ensuring that they meet and exceed industry standards. Our ongoing efforts will focus on regular audits, continuous monitoring, and updates to our security practices to address the evolving cybersecurity landscape.
Our compliance automation SaaS platform, along with a dedicated team of security professionals to handle risk assessment and risk management work around the clock in our system and organization controls to ensure we continue to meet or exceed the compliance framework internal controls and access controls that continue to drive our company to an audit process with full attestation and an audit report that ensures our stakeholders are safe to operate.
Because we walk the walk...
Globally, a surprisingly low percentage of Managed Service Providers (MSPs) have a current SOC audit. According to a survey mentioned by MSPAlliance, only 22% of responding MSPs had a current SOC report, and the actual number might be even lower, likely less than 10% (MSP Alliance). This statistic highlights the rarity and, therefore, the significant value and market advantage for MSPs that achieve and maintain SOC 2 certification.
The low percentage of MSPs with SOC 2 or ISO 27001 certification and service organization controls underscores a significant gap in the managed services industry. With less than 10% of MSPs globally holding a current SOC audit, there's a notable differentiation for those who are certified. This rarity points to the opportunity and competitive advantage for MSPs to distinguish themselves by adhering to these rigorous standards. The increasing demand for certified MSPs, driven by growing data privacy and security regulations, further emphasizes the importance of achieving such certifications to meet market needs and build trust with clients and partners.
Conclusion
Our SOC 2 Type I certification is a pledge to our clients and business partners that we are a reliable, secure, and trustworthy service provider. It reflects our commitment to operational excellence and our dedication to safeguarding the customer data and interests of our clients and partners.
Thank you for your trust in us. We are committed to upholding these standards and continuously improving to meet the challenges of an ever-changing digital world. We look forward to fostering stronger relationships with our clients and partners, grounded in the trust and assurance that SOC 2 certification brings.
