Every job is more efficient and successful if you’re using the right tools and SOC 2 compliance is no exception. A compliance automation platform can turn a grueling process into a manageable project. Most of these platforms, though, will only get you halfway there.

As you’re selecting an automated SOC 2 compliance platform, you should notice that there are certain features that set some platforms above the rest. Those differentiators can save you hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars as you prepare for and complete your SOC 2 audit. One of these particularly impactful differentiators is the way your platform handles vulnerability controls.

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What role do vulnerability scans play in SOC 2 compliance?

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Vulnerability scans are among the most critical pieces of SOC 2 compliance. You’re required to use a third-party vulnerability scanner like AWS Inspector or Snyk to scan your cloud environment. This looks for any potential data security gaps or opportunities for hackers to access or exploit your system.

From there, you’ll need to take the scan report and address the high-risk vulnerabilities it has identified. By the time your official SOC 2 audit rolls around, you’ll want to make sure you have a favorable vulnerability scan.

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How most automated compliance platforms handle vulnerability scanning

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While the aim of an automated compliance platform is to automate and streamline as many aspects of your SOC 2 compliance as possible, most of these platforms don’t offer a way to simplify your vulnerability scanning and vulnerability repair.

With those tools, you would need to run the third-party vulnerability scan to identify any potential vulnerabilities first. Then, you’ll need to go into your cloud environment and your SLAs separately to address and account for these issues. This can be a cumbersome and error-prone endeavor because you’re pulling your attention back and forth between the scan and the areas of your system or SLAs you need to address, hoping that you’re making the correct changes. Finally, you’ll need to go back and run another vulnerability scan to make sure you’ve fixed all the necessary issues.

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The Vanta difference: Visibility and integration for vulnerabilities

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Unlike most automation compliance platforms, Vanta does have a way to make your vulnerability scanning and assessment process smoother and simpler. Vanta offers the unique ability to integrate with a wide range of third-party vulnerability scanners.

This gives you unique visibility into your system’s vulnerabilities and allows you to view those details within the same automation platform where you’re managing all of your other security controls and your SLAs. As a result, you can more efficiently and thoroughly fill in your security gaps to prepare for a smooth SOC 2 audit.

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Benefits of vulnerability scan integrations

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Integrating your vulnerability scanning with your SOC 2 compliance automation platform is a feature you won’t find in most other compliance platforms. But why does it make such a difference for your business? There are several benefits this feature offers.

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1. Maintaining good security protocols

SOC 2 reporting may feel like a process of formalities and paperwork, but at the end of the day, its purpose is to better protect your system and your critical data. While the security controls outlined in SOC 2 guidelines will do this, you can protect your system even more when you reduce the opportunities for human error.

Integrating your vulnerability scan with your compliance automation platform does precisely this. It allows you to maintain more secure protocols and reduces the capacity for humar error.

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2. Saving time in your SOC 2 compliance preparation

Your security engineering team’s time is valuable and limited, so the more time you can cut out of your compliance preparation process, the better. This is yet another advantage that comes from using Vanta’s vulnerability visibility as opposed to other compliance platforms. The feature reduces the manual cross-referencing needed from your security team so they can invest more of their time into other security measures.

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3. Simplifying your SOC 2 audit

As important as it is to save time while preparing for your SOC 2 audit, you also want to make the audit process itself as quick and efficient as possible. If your auditor needs to come back to you to request documentation that isn’t already  compiled, it will slow the audit and it may even add to your audit costs.

However, because Vanta is able to integrate your vulnerability scanning tool with the same unified compliance platform where the rest of your documentation is stored. Your auditor will have access to everything they need, packaged as concisely as possible, with a visible digital trail.

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Get everything you need from an automated SOC 2 compliance platform

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As you prepare for your SOC 2 audit, there are many ways to make the process smoother and more cost-effective. The top way is to choose a truly comprehensive and featureful automated compliance platform. When it comes to vulnerability visibility and numerous other features, Vanta is the clear winner. Learn more about Vanta SOC 2 compliance automation software to find out how this tool can benefit your business.

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Read the series on key differentiators in security automation platforms

‍Part one: “Documents tab” and recurring evidence tasks

Part two: Automated employee offboarding and access management workflows

Part three: Security policy templates

Part four: Risk assessment register