Comparing SOC 2 and ISO/IEC 27001 Standards: Similarities and Differences

Among information security standards, both SOC 2 and ISO/IEC 27001 provide organizations with strategic frameworks to measure their security controls and systems. However, there are clear similarities and differences between these two standards. In this article, SQC Certification will provide a comparison of ISO/IEC 27001 and SOC 2, highlighting their differences and which standard is most suitable for your organization.

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OVERVIEW OF ISO/IEC 27001 AND SOC 2 STANDARDS

Before examining the similarities and differences between these two standards, let’s explore the nature and requirements of each type of standard.

WHAT IS ISO/IEC 27001?

The ISO/IEC 27001 standard, often simply referred to as ISO/IEC 27001, is an international standard that specifies the requirements for an Information Security Management System (ISMS). This standard was developed to help organizations establish, operate, maintain, and continuously improve their information security systems.

This standard outlines best practices for protecting critical information assets, including:

Financial data
Personnel records
Intellectual property
Data provided by external partners and customers

ISO/IEC 27001 focuses on information protection based on three core principles:

Availability: Ensuring that information is always available to authorized personnel when needed.
Confidentiality: Prevents unauthorized access – only authorized individuals can view information.
Integrity: Protects data from unauthorized alteration or modification – information must be accurate and reliable.

The ISO/IEC 27001 standard is the result of a collaboration between two globally reputable organizations: the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) – leading organizations in developing standards for modern technology and management systems.

WHAT IS THE SOC 2 STANDARD?

SOC 2 (short for Service Organization Control 2) is an auditing standard developed by the AICPA (American Institute of Certified Public Accountants) to assess the level of internal control of organizations providing services, particularly those related to information technology and cloud computing. The SOC2 standard includes five principles for evaluating the reliability of customer data management services. The goal of SOC2 is to ensure that data management service providers secure both the company’s own information and that of its customers.

The SOC 2 standard provides a framework for security and auditing to verify whether your company or organization complies with SOC 2 requirements. SOC 2 defines the requirements for managing and storing customer data based on five Trusted Service Criteria (TSCs):

Protection
Availability
Processing Integrity
Security
Privacy

During an SOC 2 audit, an independent auditor will assess the company’s security situation in relation to one or all of these Trusted Service Criteria. Each TSC has specific requirements, and the company will implement internal controls to meet those requirements.

The security TSC is always included in the SOC 2 audit, while the other four TSCs are optional. Security is also referred to as a Common Criteria because many security criteria are shared among all Trusted Service Criteria.

SIMILARITIES BETWEEN SOC 2 AND ISO/IEC 27001 STANDARDS

SOC 2 and ISO/IEC 27001 are two of the world’s leading security standards, built to affirm that an organization can be trusted in protecting customer data. Both are widely recognized foundations in the field of information security management and regulatory compliance.

Both standards revolve around core security principles such as:

Information security
Data integrity
Availability
Data access control and protection (Confidentiality)

According to the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), the two standards, SOC 2 and ISO/IEC 27001, share up to 80% of their content, with only about 4% differences in control measures.

Another important common point is that both require independent audits by a competent third party to verify that the organization’s systems and processes are actually complying with the requirements. These are complex processes that require significant resources in terms of time, personnel, and finances.

Therefore, if your business is considering choosing between SOC 2 and ISO 27001 but is limited in resources, understanding the differences between the two standards is a crucial first step in choosing the most suitable path.

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN ISO/IEC 27001 AND SOC 2 STANDARD

Although both SOC 2 and ISO/IEC 27001 are leading security standards in the world, both are designed to affirm that an organization can be trusted to protect customer data. Both have certain differences in content and scope of application.

Criteria	SOC 2 Standard	ISO/IEC 27001 Standard
Origin	United States – developed by AICPA (American Institute of Certified Public Accountants)	International – jointly developed by ISO and IEC
Scope of Application	Primarily in the US and companies providing technology services, SaaS	Globally applicable to all types of organizations and industries
Main Objectives	Ensure third-party services handle user data securely and reliably	Establish and maintain a comprehensive Information Security Management System (ISMS)
Standard Structure	Based on 5 principles: Security, Availability, Processing Integrity, Information Security, Privacy	Based on the PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) model and 93 controls in ISO/IEC 27001:2022
Certification	Report issued by an independent audit firm (SOC 2 Type I/II)	Certification issued by an internationally recognized certification body (CB)
Legal Status	Not an international standard, commonly used within the US and global SaaS companies	Globally recognized, often required in large and international projects
Validity	Reports are valid for 6-12 months, depending on Type I or II	ISO certification is valid for 3 years, with annual surveillance audits
Level of Detail & Control Framework	No fixed control list – depends on the specific report and service	Has a clear controller (Annex A) and applies throughout the organization
Flexibility	Customizable to services and customer requirements	More systematic and comprehensive management framework
Cost and Complexity	Can be high (if hiring Big4) – Depends on time and scope of reporting	More reasonable cost – depends on organization size and the chosen certification body

WHICH STANDARD SHOULD THE BUSINESS CHOOSE?

Choosing the right standard for the organization or business is a question SQC Certification receives frequently. There’s no single answer; it depends on the size of the business, the target customers, and the specific strategic goals.

ISO/IEC 27001 – When is it the optimal choice?

If the organization or business is aiming to build a comprehensive Information Security Management System (ISMS) from the outset, or if the organization serves customers in multiple countries, then ISO 27001 is a comprehensive choice.

The ISO 27001 standard is widely recognized globally, helping you build credibility and expand opportunities for international collaboration.

This standard is particularly suitable if you want to:

Comply with stringent information security requirements
Build a robust and systematic ISMS foundation
Enhance your company’s image in the eyes of international investors, partners, and customers

However, be prepared to invest time, resources, and costs, as this is a highly demanding and rigorously audited standard.

SOC 2 – When is it the right choice?

The SOC 2 standard is more suitable for businesses that already have a basic ISMS system and want to evaluate their current policies and processes in a flexible and focused manner.

SOC 2 is the ideal choice if:

You operate primarily in North America
You need a more flexible, lower-cost audit
You want a specific assessment by service group or data type
You are looking for a way to quickly validate the effectiveness of existing security measures

When should you implement both standards?

Many large organizations want to expand their business and ensure comprehensive information security, and combining ISO 27001 and SOC 2 offers optimal benefits:

ISO 27001 helps build the foundation for a comprehensive and globally standardized security system.
You can then use SOC 2 as a periodic audit tool to review, evaluate effectiveness, and update policies in a timely manner.

Combining both not only enhances risk management effectiveness but also demonstrates a strong commitment to data security, especially when serving multinational clients and in industries requiring high standards such as finance, technology, and healthcare.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT ISO/IEC 27001 AND SOC 2

Can ISO/IEC 27001 and SOC 2 be applied simultaneously?

The answer is absolutely yes. These two standards complement each other very well. While ISO 27001 helps businesses build a robust and structured Information Security Management System (ISMS), SOC 2 offers flexibility in assessment, suitable for periodic testing of specific points in the existing security system.

When businesses apply both standards simultaneously, it gives them a comprehensive view, following international models while also adapting to their specific operations.

Are ISO/IEC 27001 and SOC 2 interchangeable?

The answer is no. Although they have many similarities, each standard serves a different purpose:

ISO/IEC 27001: A global standard that sets stringent requirements for building and operating a complete ISMS.
SOC 2: A flexible audit report format, often customized to business needs and popular in the North American market.

Is ISO/IEC 27001 ever insufficient?

The answer is possibly yes. In many cases, partners, such as those in North America, require SOC 2 reports as a mandatory criterion for collaboration. If you only have ISO 27001, you may face difficulties in expanding your market or competing with competitors who have both standards.

Can SOC 2 replace ISO/IEC 27001?

No. Although they share about 80% of the content, SOC 2 cannot completely replace ISO 27001. These two standards differ in scope, objectives, and assessment methods; therefore, the choice of which standard to use depends on the specific goals of the business.

Is ISO/IEC 27001 legally mandated?

No, it is not mandatory. However, implementing ISO/IEC 27001 helps organizations improve their information protection capabilities, meet various other legal compliance requirements, and demonstrate a clear commitment to information security.

Is ISO/IEC 27001 related to cybersecurity?

Yes. While ISO 27001 is not solely focused on cybersecurity, it includes core controls for system and data security, ensuring your organization has a solid foundation for complying with cybersecurity regulations and requirements.

Is it possible to achieve ISO/IEC 27001 and SOC 2 certifications simultaneously?

The answer is absolutely yes. Organizations wishing to build a professional information security system to expand their business model can apply both systems simultaneously.

ISO 27001 builds a strong security foundation.
SOC 2 provides independent evidence for stakeholders, especially in the US market.

Combining both helps you enhance management efficiency, reduce risks, and increase trust with customers and partners.

SQC CERTIFICATION’S ADVICE FOR BUSINESSES

Achieving compliance with both ISO 27001 and SOC 2 standards is a systematic and long-term process. However, if successfully implemented, the benefits for your organization will be extremely significant. Here are some tips from SQC Certification to help businesses streamline processes so you can achieve the best results faster:

Define your organization’s goals from the start

Defining your organization’s goals from the outset is a crucial step in accurately choosing between ISO/IEC 27001 and SOC 2. If your business aims for international certification, building a comprehensive information security management system, and long-term application, ISO/IEC 27001 is the right choice. Conversely, if the goal is to meet customer requirements in the US market, especially in the service sector, SOC 2 will be the strategic choice. Clearly defining your goals helps save resources and maximize investment efficiency

Choose the right certification or report

Once you have defined your goals, your organization can choose the certification or report that best suits those goals. For example, if you don’t have an ISMS, ISO/IEC 27001 can help you create a compliance framework to build one. Or, if you’re considering a SOC 2 report, consider whether you want a Type 1 or Type 2 report based on the relevant objectives, scope, and timeline.

Estimate the necessary resources

Assess the resources and support you need to complete the work within your organization. Both ISO/IEC 27001 and SOC 2 reports take months to complete. Do you have the necessary staff, skills, technology, and leadership support? Identifying these resources ahead of time will make project planning easier and avoid bottlenecks during implementation.

Gain consensus

Ensuring the involvement of management and stakeholders is essential. Before starting a compliance project, ensure you have the necessary involvement to obtain the resources and support needed to complete the project. Having the right support for your project will streamline the entire process.

Both ISO/IEC 27001 and SOC 2 are important standards that help businesses in the information technology industry ensure information security. However, each standard is suited to different goals and markets. ISO/IEC 27001 is comprehensive and internationally applicable, while SOC 2 is suitable for businesses providing services to the US market. Choosing the right standard will help businesses enhance their reputation, manage risks effectively, and meet the increasingly high demands for information security.

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Comparing SOC 2 and ISO/IEC 27001 Standards: Similarities and Differences