Platform engineers should view System and Organization Controls (SOC) 2 compliance as an engineering framework rather than merely a checklist to follow. These guidelines align with best engineering practices that ensure a platform is auditable, secure and resilient. SOC 2 compliance also makes customers feel safer when working with a platform.
What is SOC 2 Compliance?
SOC 2 compliance is a framework for how a service provider handles customer data, especially personally identifiable information (PII). It is voluntary but widely expected by customers when determining whether to share their information with an organization.
There are two types of SOC compliance. Type 1 assesses the platform control’s design, whereas Type 2 determines whether the controls operate effectively over time. During Type 2 audits, the platform should produce continuous evidence to accurately test it. SOC 2 compliance is typically the most sought-after one because it demonstrates longevity.
Why Does SOC 2 Matter for Platform Engineers?
SOC 2 matters for platform engineers because they must pass the audit to achieve compliance and ensure their platform’s integrity. There are five areas auditors focus on, including security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality and privacy.
- Security: The platform must protect against unauthorized access and system damage that could potentially leak sensitive client information.
- Availability: The platform should meet service-level agreements (SLAs), manage backups and test disaster recovery procedures to maintain uptime.
- Processing integrity: This assurance ensures the platform processes data fully, which enhances validity and accuracy. It must also manage change by approving appropriate software updates.
- Confidentiality: Platforms should protect sensitive information through transport encryption and access controls, such as multi-factor authentication (MFA).
- Privacy: The platform must use and dispose of data in accordance with its privacy notices. There are 18 points to focus on under this category, emphasizing its importance.
Where Platform Engineers Should Focus to Ensure Compliance
Platform engineers must consider the SOC 2 criteria to ensure systems comply. There are several ways engineers can improve platforms to comply with these standards.
Security Controls
Platform engineers’ codes should include relevant security controls. Programmed firewalls act as a barrier against suspicious activity. Access management, such as role-based access control (RBAC) and MFA, protects against targeted attacks. A tool that automatically disables accounts after offboarding helps prevent security risks posed by disgruntled employees. Sensitive data should be encrypted during transmission and while in storage. Features like these ensure a controlled, auditable security posture that aids SOC 2 compliance.
Resilient Design
The platform should have a resilient design in case of incidents or system failures. Engineers can perform chaos engineering to test the platform’s resilience. They could also install automated failover, transferring data to a backup system during issues. Monitoring and alerting systems should be robust, creating logs for months at a time and informing engineers of anomalies such as unauthorized access attempts and suspicious configuration changes.
The incident response protocol must be well-defined, so engineers and other staff know how to decrease downtime and protect customer data. To manage vulnerabilities, platform engineers can automate scanning, examining dependencies and data containers. Enhancing these design areas increases the platform’s overall resilience and SOC 2 compliance.
Processing Accuracy
Platform engineers should ensure processing accuracy to avoid data discrepancies. For example, continuous integration (CI) and continuous deployment (CD) must have a clear reporting channel to discover incidents early. Engineers can also check processing accuracy via automated testing tools that integrate with the system to continuously collect relevant evidence. Validation and release approvals are other methods. Accurately processed data ensures the platform works properly and complies with SOC 2.
Compliance Creates a Well-Articulated Platform
SOC 2 compliance is a great way for platform engineers to ensure they have a well-articulated system and a complete data security checklist. Platforms built with a SOC 2 mindset are typically more secure and reliable. They also give the business a competitive advantage over companies without the certification.