Share this article
You've been asked to present your SOC 2
The first time a prospect brings up security, you might feel like a deer in the headlights. You may even get asked about SOC 2 report by name. If it hasn’t happened yet, you should anticipate questions about security and compliance soon. In this post we’ll help you get a head start on next steps once you’ve been asked for your SOC 2. We’ll get into what the SOC 2 is all about, reasons to get SOC 2, and how a security attestation can help your company close more deals.
The more you grow
As your company grows, you’ll find that prospect and customer requests for security protocols and documentation are growing too. If you gather or store customer data at any scale, data security should be front-of-mind and on your to-do list. In today’s competitive business climate — in which data breaches are unfortunately common, even as they are increasingly unacceptable — cybersecurity is of peak importance. Companies of all sizes seek clear evidence that vendor and partner security systems meet commonly accepted standards, and you can differentiate your business by leading with strong security and compliance practices.
If you’re an early-stage startup you may think you’ve got some time before you need to align with industry security standards, or you might think you’re prepared to cobble together one-off security solutions as you go. If this sounds familiar, it’s worth considering an alternative approach: the sooner your company is able to build security and compliance into its operations, the easier it will be to implement practices company-wide that will grow with you. Working proactively to achieve a strong security posture will not only make your organization more secure — it will position you for smooth and successful sales conversations, and the growth you’re looking for.
No items found.
FEATURED VANTA RESOURCE
The ultimate guide to scaling your compliance program
Learn how to scale, manage, and optimize alongside your business goals.
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.
1
2
3
4
!
👍
Does your business offer services to customers who are interested in your level of PCI compliance?
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.
Get PCI DSS certified
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.
Learn more about eCommerce PCI
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.
Related resources
ON-DEMAND WEBINAR
ISO 27001
ISO 27001:2022 What's changed and what it means for your business
In late 2022, ISO 27001 rolled out changes to the Annex A controls, minor updates to the clause language, modernized controls, as well as 12 new controls. Whether you have ISO 27001 and want to learn more about these updates, or are pursuing ISO for the first time, this on-demand webinar is for you. Join Matt Cooper, Senior Manager of Privacy, Risk, and Compliance at Vanta, and Steve Conley, IT Audit Director at Insight Assurance, to dive in.
The compliance news you need. Delivered securely to your inbox.
Subject to Vanta's Privacy Policy, you agree to allow Vanta to contact you via the email provided for marketing and other purposes
