SOC 2 Compliance at Sunthetics
by Kevin Mercado, Chief of Staff, October 23, 2024
SOC 2, or Service Organization Controls 2, is a framework governed by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). Through a SOC 2 audit, an independent service auditor reviews an organization’s policies, procedures, and evidence to determine if their controls are designed and operating effectively. A SOC 2 report communicates a company’s commitment to data security and the protection of customer information.
Improving Your Security Posture
Achieving SOC 2 compliance exemplifies an organization’s commitment to earning and maintaining customer trust, serving as a significant milestone toward enhancing our overall security posture. Given the escalating threats posed by cybersecurity risks and data breaches, it is imperative that organizations prioritize information security and the protection of their systems and data. Undergoing a SOC 2 audit allows us to validate our controls and processes through a third-party review that attests to the effectiveness of the measures relevant to our applications.
Why We Pursued SOC 2 Now
Pursuing SOC 2 compliance is an integral step in demonstrating to our customers, stakeholders, and interested parties that we value their trust and have effectively implemented security controls. At this stage in our company’s development, we recognized that it was the right time to pursue this certification, as safeguarding data and mitigating potential security risks is essential both initially and as an ongoing commitment. As an early-stage startup, Sunthetics is dedicated to building and strengthening trust with our customers by demonstrating our unwavering commitment to data security and privacy.
On October 21, 2024, we achieved a pivotal milestone by receiving our SOC 2 audit report, validating our commitment to these principles.
Sunthetics’s Journey to SOC 2 Compliance
Our journey began with a thorough understanding of the SOC 2 framework, followed by a comprehensive risk assessment to identify potential vulnerabilities. We established robust internal controls and engaged security experts to refine our practices while implementing industry best practices for cybersecurity, including access controls and incident response planning. We also launched training programs for our employees to foster a culture of security and set up mechanisms for ongoing effectiveness. As we prepared for the audit, we meticulously documented our processes to demonstrate compliance, celebrating milestones along the way to reinforce our commitment to excellence. Ultimately, this journey is about building trust with our customers, assuring them that their data is handled with the utmost care and security.
Compliance Partners
Vanta
We partnered with Vanta, the leader in the Trust Management space, to help automate the collection of our audit evidence. Vanta provides us with a strong security foundation to protect our customer data.
Advantage Partners
Our audit firm, Advantage Partners, was instrumental in creating a seamless audit experience. Their guidance and support enabled us to achieve SOC 2 compliance swiftly and efficiently.
Process
While SOC 2 compliance can be a significant undertaking, our compliance partners streamlined the process. We leveraged Vanta to integrate our key systems and guide us in implementing the necessary policies and procedures to become audit ready in a timely manner. Vanta provided the direction we needed to embark on our compliance journey.
Following that, Advantage Partners confirmed our audit readiness, leading us to kick off our Type I audit. During the audit, Advantage evaluated the controls we had in place and provided their assessment of their effectiveness. Shortly after the audit window closed, Advantage Partners drafted and issued our report.
Timeline
One key takeaway from this experience is that improving our security posture and achieving compliance is a monumental task. While the process can be made easier with the right compliance partners, it requires dedicated focus and time from our organization. The readiness period often consumes the most time, but we proactively prioritized compliance, enabling us to become audit-ready in a matter of weeks instead of months.
We also recognized the importance of reviewing the audit timeline with Advantage Partners, setting an ideal audit date, and working backward to ensure we were prepared in time. With the controls now implemented and security prioritized by our team, we anticipate that future SOC 2 audits will be even more seamless.
Lessons Learned
1. Focus on Improving Security Posture, Not Just Checking Boxes: Compliance is not a one-size-fits-all endeavor; it requires a deep understanding of the unique challenges and requirements of the organization. By prioritizing the enhancement of our security posture rather than merely completing compliance checklists, we established a strong foundation that genuinely protects our systems and data. This mindset shift has reinforced that security is a continuous project that should be integrated into our organizational culture.
2. Start the Process Early: Initiating the compliance process early is crucial for effective implementation. Developing secure procedures and infrastructure from the outset not only streamlines the compliance journey but also results in a more robust security program. By planning ahead, we identified and addressed potential issues before they became significant obstacles, ensuring a smoother path to achieving our compliance goals.
3. Know Your Stakeholders in the Compliance Process: Understanding and involving the right internal stakeholders is essential for the success of compliance initiatives. By deciding early on which team members are needed for developing policies, procedures, and engineering tasks, we fostered a collaborative approach that engaged the entire organization. This collective effort not only cultivated a greater sense of ownership but also enhanced our overall adherence to security measures and compliance requirements.
As we move forward, we remain committed to maintaining our SOC 2 compliance and continually improving our security practices. This journey not only strengthens our operations but also reassures our customers that their data is in safe hands. By sharing our experiences and lessons learned, we aim to inspire other organizations embarking on similar paths toward better security and compliance, ultimately contributing to a safer digital environment for all.
For further updates on our progress and initiatives, please stay connected with us at Sunthetics. Together, we can build a more secure future.
