December 18, 2024
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6 min read
In a world where privacy and data security are top-of-mind for consumers, SOC 2 Type 2 compliance and certification is more important than ever. But if you’re unfamiliar with SOC and its importance with regard to sales, don’t worry.
In our beginner-friendly guide, we’ll explain everything you should know about this kind of compliance, including what SOC is, how it differs from other reports, why it matters, and what to expect from an audit.
SOC 2 Type 2 is a security framework that assesses the privacy controls, security, confidentiality, and other aspects of an organization. SOC — which stands for “System and Organization Controls” or “Service Organization Control” depending on who you ask — was created by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). This auditing standard was designed to help brands avoid threats like security breaches.
It’s important for all organizations that work with sensitive data and information, but especially brands that handle personal or financial information, and intellectual property. In a nutshell, SOC 2 Type 2 audits make sure organizations use appropriate means of protecting their users’ data.
There are a few different kinds of SOC reports: SOC 2, SOC 1, and SOC 3. They all have a common goal of security and data protection. With SOC 1, its target audience is brands that work with financial reporting, including data center hosting, payment processing, and payroll processing. SOC 2 focuses on personal data and data security.
SOC 3, on the other hand, is similar to SOC 2 in that it homes in on a business’ ability to protect data and implement security controls. However, SOC 3 gives folks a bird’s eye view of a company’s security efforts that’s easier for the average person to understand. SOC 2 reports are usually designed to be internal and are typically more detailed and in-depth than an SOC 3 report would be.
An SOC 2 Type 2 report has in-depth information about a brand’s security measures. The report usually has a time frame of a few months, so it’ll show in real time how effective the security controls are at protecting user data.
An SOC 2 Type 1 report is similar but only looks at one point in time instead of a few months. That being said, an SOC Type 2 report is usually a more comprehensive view of a brand’s security efforts.
The SOC 2 Type 2 audit process aims to make sure businesses are doing their part in protecting customer data and information, especially with regard to confidentiality. It’s essential to protect this kind of sensitive information in an age where data security is a major concern.
The actual audit process can vary a bit based on factors like the scope of the audit, but each audit follows similar steps. The process usually kicks off with the organization and the auditor planning and preparing for the scope of the audit. From there, the auditor can do work like control testing, which might involve interviewing folks or going over important documentation. The auditor will gather evidence and then prepare an in-depth report with their conclusions.
According to the AICPA, there are five key trust services criteria that are evaluated during an SOC 2 audit:
The cost of an SOC 2 Type 2 audit depends on many different factors, so there’s not one universal price. For example, factors like the scope of the audit, the size of the company operations, how long the audit takes, and even the business location can all affect cost.
As mentioned above, businesses that work with consumer data often benefit from SOC 2 Type 2 compliance. Industries and businesses that might need this kind of report include:
Though it’s not an exhaustive list, many companies in these areas would benefit from an audit.
When people think of SOC 2 Type 2 compliance, the sales industry isn’t always the first thing to come to mind. Still, SOC 2 is important for sales, in more ways than one.
Here are just a few considerations with regard to the importance of SOC 2 Type 2 for sales.
Many sales organizations must comply with industry security standards and regulations, depending on their exact purpose. On top of that, an SOC 2 Type 2 certification can nip any financial and legal risks in the bud by protecting against security or data breaches.
Of course, SOC 2 Type 2 compliance is important for the customers of businesses. An SOC 2 Type 2 certification shows both existing clients and prospects that your brand is committed to protecting data and securing information. This dedication to data protection and security helps sales teams build trust in their customers that their business practices are safe.
Plus, businesses with an SOC 2 Type 2 certification have a competitive advantage over other brands. A competitor that doesn’t have this kind of commitment to customer security and data protection could struggle to build trust within their client base because of it.
If your brand is looking to set itself apart from the competition, an SOC 2 Type 2 certification can be a great way to do it. Businesses that commit to SOC 2 Type 2 compliance also attract more high-value customers who might have a higher privacy expectation than other clients.
At the end of the day, openly committing to protecting client data can improve your team’s sales success.
But that’s not the only way to boost sales success. You can also invest in your sales team using a tool like Yoodli to improve sales performance.
Yoodli — a next-level sales coach that leverages AI technology — offers detailed sales roleplays for teams to use to practice their skills. The beauty of Yoodli is that it provides a totally risk-free space where salespeople can experiment with new sales frameworks and scenarios to prepare for interactions with real clients. Well-known companies have already tapped into Yoodli for the purposes of increasing seller attainment while decreasing ramp, like Google, Korn Ferry, and Dale Carnegie.
Using Yoodli, sales reps will interact with human-like, AI-generated customers in familiar sales settings, like customer discovery or cold calls. They’ll engage in conversation, just like they would with a human client. The only difference is, there’s no risk of a lost client, deal, or opportunity.
Plus, because Yoodli is a sales coach, reps receive an instant report on how they did during the roleplay with specific insights on listening, delivery, and speech patterns. That way, sales reps can identify and improve on their weakest areas. Company admin can even customize Yoodli and adapt it to their own brand’s methodology.
Of course, Yoodli also offers enterprise-grade privacy, including SOC 2 Type 2, GDPR, and more.
Learn how you can get started with Yoodli for free at https://yoodli.ai/.
In today’s competitive landscape, SOC 2 Type 2 compliance is more important than ever. This compliance can help protect your customers’ data while also boosting your brand’s credibility. SOC 2 Type 2 certification can bring in more high-value clients and boost sales performance. When coupled with a tool like Yoodli, it’s a win-win situation.
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