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How long does a SOC 2 audit take?
The length of an average SOC 2 audit depends on a lot of variables, but with Vanta, customers can get a SOC 2 Type I report in weeks, and a SOC 2 Type II report within months.
Audit timelines are difficult to project because each organization has different capabilities, resources, and goals. But after helping thousands of businesses tackle SOC 2 audits, we’ve developed a reliable timeline of what most customers can expect.
Vanta’s SOC 2 Type I and SOC 2 Type II audit timelines
Companies seeking a SOC 2 attestation can choose between two kinds—Type I or Type II. In general, the difference between these reports is the time it takes to acquire and the level of evaluation necessary.
A Type I report requires less time than a Type II, but lacks a more complex investigation of security protocols. A Type II report takes longer, but provides interested parties a stronger reason to trust your organization. Most enterprise prospects will specifically request a SOC 2 Type II report. Here’s what you can expect from each SOC 2 audit as a Vanta customer.
SOC 2 Type I audit
Vanta customers can expect to receive a SOC 2 Type I report anywhere between two weeks and two months. Audit timelines are greatly affected by the auditor you choose and the internal resources you decide to allocate to the process.
Type I reports provide a point-in-time snapshot of your company’s compliance environment on a certain date. It depicts your organization’s ability to secure data through tools, policies, and procedures. Type I is the most cost-effective option because the audit is less intensive than a SOC 2 Type II audit.
Vanta onboarding and audit prep | 1-3 weeks
This phase includes integrating your infrastructure with the Vanta platform, onboarding calls, auditor introduction, policy creation, vulnerability monitoring, risk assessments, and evidence collection.
Official audit | 2-5 days
Your selected auditor will begin the official process of reviewing your company’s collected evidence and point-in-time snapshot. Vanta’s platform lets auditors access materials in one place.
Report creation and delivery | 2-6 weeks
Once the evaluation is complete, your auditor will generate and deliver your SOC 2 Type I report. After the report is finalized, you can share it with vendors and prospects at will.
SOC 2 Type II audit
Unlike Type 1’s point-in-time assessment, Type II audits evaluate your company’s compliance environment over a long period of time, usually ranging between 3-12 months. A Type II report shows that you understand and follow strong compliance practices over a period of time.
Companies that commit to a Type II report are usually seen as more trustworthy and secure. You do not need to earn a Type I report before pursuing a Type II report.
Vanta onboarding and audit prep | 1-3 weeks
Similar to Type I, this initial phase includes integrating your infrastructure with the Vanta platform, onboarding calls, auditor introduction, policy creation, vulnerability monitoring, risk assessments, and evidence collection.
Compliance observation period | 3-6 months
During this phase, Vanta’s automated platform continuously monitors your infrastructure at all times. It keeps a constant watch over your system to identify risks and vulnerabilities.
Official audit | 1-3 weeks
Your selected auditor will begin the official process of reviewing your company’s evidence, policies, and control implementation. Vanta’s platform lets auditors access materials in one place.
Report creation and delivery | 2-6 weeks
Once the evaluation is complete, your auditor will generate and deliver your SOC 2 Type I report. After the report is finalized, you can share it with vendors and prospects at will.
How Vanta simplifies SOC 2 audits
Vanta alleviates the burden of audit challenges by combining automation with knowledgeable experts who can guide you all the way from onboarding to final report delivery.
Automated monitoring and evidence collection
Before compliance automation, manual processes and endless back-and-forth communication were the norm. Vanta’s automated continuous monitoring provides a constant, ongoing survey of your infosec environment. And instead of learning what evidence to gather, and why, Vanta does it for you. After your SOC 2 audit, Vanta protects your company by running hourly checks.
Vanta Seamless Audit connects you with proven auditors
Finding the right compliance platform is only one part of the equation. Now you have the option to save hours of vetting and searching for auditors. Vanta Seamless Audit simplifies the procurement and audit process by providing access to the Vanta platform along with an independent, five-star-rated auditor for one bundled price.
Effective risk management
Performing a risk assessment will help you remediate internal issues before your audit takes place. Vanta’s Risk Management solution removes the need for spreadsheets and emails while working with auditors. It includes pre-built content and workflows to guide organizations through the entire process.
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PCI Compliance Selection Guide
Determine Your PCI Compliance Level
If your organization processes, stores, or transmits cardholder data, you must comply with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), a global mandate created by major credit card companies. Compliance is mandatory for any business that accepts credit card payments.
When establishing strategies for implementing and maintaining PCI compliance, your organization needs to understand what constitutes a Merchant or Service Provider, and whether a Self Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) or Report on Compliance (ROC) is most applicable to your business.
Answer a few short questions and we’ll help identify your compliance level.
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Identify your PCI SAQ or ROC level
The PCI Security Standards Council has established the below criteria for Merchant and Service Provider validation. Use these descriptions to help determine the SAQ or ROC that best applies to your organization.
Good news! Vanta supports all of the following compliance levels:
SAQ A
A SAQ A is required for Merchants that do not require the physical presence of a credit card (like an eCommerce, mail, or telephone purchase). This means that the Merchant’s business has fully outsourced all cardholder data processing to PCI DSS compliant third party Service Providers, with no electronic storage, processing, or transmission of any cardholder data on the Merchant’s system or premises.
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SAQ A-EP
A SAQ A-EP is similar to a SAQ A, but is a requirement for Merchants that don't receive cardholder data, but control how cardholder data is redirected to a PCI DSS validated third-party payment processor.
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SAQ D
for service providers
A SAQ D includes over 200 requirements and covers the entirety of PCI DSS compliance. If you are a Service Provider, a SAQ D is the only SAQ you’re eligible to complete.
Use our PCI checklist
ROC
Level 1 for service providers
A Report on Compliance (ROC) is an annual assessment that determines your organization’s ability to protect cardholder data. If you’re a Merchant that processes over six million transactions annually or a Service Provider that processes more than 300,000 transactions annually, your organization is responsible for both a ROC and an Attestation of Compliance (AOC).
Automate your ROC and AOC
Download this checklist for easy reference
Questions?
Learn more about how Vanta can help. You can also find information on PCI compliance levels at the PCI Security Standards Council website or by contacting your payment processing partner.
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