SOC 2
An independent CPA attestation against AICPA Trust Services Criteria. You receive a report (usually Type II over a period). Common for US B2B SaaS and enterprise vendor reviews.
Learn · Frameworks
SOC 2 vs ISO 27001: which do you actually need?
Both prove you take security seriously. They are not the same product, auditor process, or buyer signal. Here is how to choose, and when running both is the right move.
The short answer
Different outputs, overlapping controls.
ISO 27001
A certification that your Information Security Management System meets ISO/IEC 27001. A certification body audits your ISMS and Annex A Statement of Applicability. Common for global and EU-facing procurement.
Overlap
Access control, change management, logging, incident response, and vendor risk appear in both. Implement once, map evidence to both frameworks, and avoid two disconnected programs.
When buyers ask
Pick based on who is blocking the deal.
- Start with SOC 2 Type II if US enterprise security questionnaires and “send your SOC 2” dominate your pipeline.
- Prioritize ISO 27001 if European, APAC, or global RFPs list ISO certification as a hard requirement.
- Run both when you sell into mixed markets: cross-map controls so one evidence set feeds both attestation and certification paths.
- Add privacy frameworks (PIPEDA, GDPR, HIPAA) as contracts require, still on the same control graph.
Practical path
One workspace, two frameworks, no duplicate binders.
01
Import both templates
Seed SOC 2 and ISO controls, then mark SoA applicability for Annex A with rationale.
02
Connect integrations early
IdP, cloud, and source control feed continuous tests that support both programs.
03
Share Trust Center + auditor access
Prospects get posture; your CPA or certification body gets scoped evidence, not a scavenger hunt.
FAQ
SOC 2 vs ISO, cleared up.
Is SOC 2 a certification?+
No. SOC 2 is an attestation report from a CPA firm. ISO 27001 is a certification from an accredited certification body.
Can one piece of evidence support both?+
Yes, when controls are cross-mapped. Access reviews, change tickets, and monitoring alerts often satisfy related SOC 2 and ISO requirements if lineage is clear.
Should startups do ISO before SOC 2?+
Usually not if your buyers are US enterprise. Start where deals are blocked. Add ISO when global RFPs require it.
How does Axovern help with both?+
One workspace imports both frameworks, cross-maps controls, runs continuous monitoring, and supports auditor collaboration and Trust Center from the same evidence graph.