What Is SOC 2 Type II Compliance and Why Should Your Website Platform Have It?
Security should be a paramount concern for any brand. All it takes is one exploited vulnerability to create serious consequences for an entire organization.
Your security team already has safeguards in place to protect your company’s internal data. But when you onboard an external vendor, it opens up new security risk pathways—especially when it comes to website hosting. Your partner needs to demonstrate strong security processes and controls when it comes to storing your sensitive, often private, client data and protect your brand from threats.
It’s important to evaluate the security of your website builder prior to moving forward, but these reviews can be financially costly and cause timeline delays, thus reducing your agility.
Fortunately, there are ways to quickly compare vendor security measures to your own brand standards. For website vendor data security, the industry gold standard is SOC 2 Type II compliance.
What is SOC 2 compliance?
SOC 2 compliance is a standardized framework for organizations to demonstrate their commitment to data security and privacy. Developed by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, companies can earn either a SOC 2 Type I or Type II certification by passing an independent audit that evaluates how they manage and store customer information.
To become SOC 2 compliant, vendors must meet specific requirements in one or more Trust Services Criteria (TSC). These categories are:
Security: The vendor’s level of protection against unauthorized access
Availability: The accessibility and usability of their platform, namely uptime
Processing Integrity: The performance of their platform and accuracy of the data stored
Confidentiality: The vendor’s ability to protect sensitive data and restrict access to specific users
Privacy: The vendor’s ability to secure personally identifiable information
How does SOC 2 Type II compliance differ from Type I?
Both SOC 2 Type I and II certifications demonstrate an organization’s firm commitment to data privacy and security. The difference is that Type I certification only outlines an organization’s active security controls, while Type II certification also details the effectiveness of those controls as proven over a significant span of time.
Compared to Type I certification, receiving Type II certification requires passing more in-depth security tests of company-wide processes and protocols, including how a business:
Manages and stores customer information
Reports bugs
Handles internal and external communications and human resources
As such, obtaining a Type II certification takes longer than a Type I certification and is far more rigorous.
Why SOC 2 Type II compliance matters for website vendors
For web platforms like Squarespace Enterprise, SOC 2 Type II compliance means offering best-available security controls and privacy protection for customers.
Because you entrust website platforms with sensitive consumer data, seeking SOC 2 Type II-compliant providers means that you’ve taken the right precautions to protect your audience’s information.
For website providers, SOC 2 Type II compliance also helps their platform remain performant in the event of cyber attacks. Down websites mean revenue loss and poor experiences for visitors, so SOC 2-compliant vendor development teams closely monitor security risks to limit service interruptions.
In addition to keeping websites secure and running, SOC 2 Type II compliance also illustrates strong processes and controls which contribute to platform stability and reliability. It provides comfort around the integrity of information stored by the website provider.
Risks of working with non-compliant vendors
Although SOC 2 Type II compliance is the industry standard for competitive providers, there are plenty of vendors on the market that aren’t certified. However, contracting with organizations operating without SOC 2 Type II-level security controls in place could put your brand’s reputation and operations at risk.
Working with a provider without SOC 2 Type II certification leaves your valuable internal and client data vulnerable. Bad actors prey on brands using outdated practices, taking advantage of common non-compliant openings.
If these attacks succeed, all of your company’s stored data—contact info, banking details, and more—can be stolen and sold or potentially held for ransom. Globally, ransomware attacks are becoming increasingly common and can cost brands millions and even billions of dollars in damages.
But there’s more than just financial value at stake. A data breach could also have legal consequences for your brand. This is especially true if the vendor’s non-compliance leads to violations of data privacy regulations, such as the California Consumer Privacy Act.
Ultimately, while a data breach can be financially and legally devastating, they can deal more long-term damage to your brand’s reputation. If threats steal sensitive data from your site, customers or partners may question your commitment to security, leading to a loss of marketplace trust and credibility.
Benefits of choosing SOC 2 Type II-compliant vendors
Fortunately, SOC 2 Type II-compliant vendors bring the right security controls to your brand. Because of their commitment to maintaining robust security measures, you’ll have the necessary processes in place to help your company scale securely.
With a SOC 2 Type II-compliant web vendor, your brand has the highest protection against security breaches and vulnerabilities to internal and consumer data. You’ll also have peace of mind knowing that customers can dependably access your site.
Plus, you can confidently say that you’re operating at the top of industry standards. Because you’re associated with vendors that adhere to recognized frameworks, your web experience offers reliability to your customers.
Working with a SOC 2 Type II-compliant vendor makes life easier for your team as well. High control standards make for simpler vendor selection and management, saving valuable time for your internal procurement team by streamlining audit processes.
How to verify website platform SOC 2 Type II compliance
If you’re looking for a website vendor, confirming their SOC 2 Type II compliance is an important piece of the decision-making process.
To start, reach out to the vendor and request a copy of their SOC 2 Type II reports. Carefully review the findings, looking for any specific outlined vulnerabilities or deficiencies.
When reading, pay close attention to the Trust Service Criteria and how they relate to content management system services. You may also want to check the qualifications and organization of the independent auditor that conducted the review.
During this time, it’s important to check the paperwork’s expiration date to ensure you have the most recent findings. The review timeline may also indicate whether it’s a Type I or Type II report.
You can conduct further diligence by reviewing any of the brand’s additional security certifications or external references. They should be more than willing to provide details upon request.
SOC 2 Type II and your website security
Choosing the right website vendor can make or break your security. While a well-established provider sets you up for long-term success, a less experienced company can tarnish your brand’s reputation. Whether SOC 2 Type II non-compliance causes operational costs, website downtime—or worse—confidential data breaches, your entire organization can suffer as a result.
Fortunately, independent certifications like SOC 2 Type II make the choice simple and verifiable for your organization. Doing your due diligence to ensure SOC 2 Type II compliance during procurement can save countless hours and potentially millions of dollars.
Working with a compliant website vendor gives your team the security tools they need to succeed. With a website that’s accessible, accurate, and protected, you can focus on growth instead of managing IT processes and policies.
This article was originally published on September 7, 2023. It has since been updated.