Confused about SOC 1 vs SOC 2? The answer is simple: SOC 1 is for financial controls, and SOC 2 is for data security. If you’re stuck paying high prices for slow security testing to prove compliance, we can help with affordable, fast penetration tests that get you a report in about a week.

SOC 1 vs SOC 2 What Is The Difference

When clients ask for a SOC report, they need proof your service won't create a financial mess or a data breach. The report you choose tells them exactly what you’re protecting. SOC 1 focuses on financial trust, while SOC 2 is all about keeping their data safe and secure.

Understanding SOC 1 For Financial Controls

A SOC 1 report is all about the money trail. If your service could impact a client’s financial reporting, you need one. Think of it like this: if you process payments or manage billing, a SOC 1 proves your system won't mess up their books.

This report looks at your Internal Controls over Financial Reporting (ICFR). That’s just a fancy way of saying the rules you have to prevent financial mistakes. For a deeper look, check out our full analysis of what a SOC 1 report is.

You can get two types of SOC 1 reports: Type I and Type II. A Type I is a snapshot in time, checking if your controls are designed correctly on a single day. A Type II is like a movie, testing if your controls worked over 6 to 12 months. Most clients want a Type II.

Breaking Down SOC 2 For Data Security

If SOC 1 is about money, SOC 2 is all about protecting data. It's the standard for any business that stores or manages customer information, like SaaS platforms or cloud providers. It proves your security is solid.

SOC 2 is based on five Trust Services Criteria: Security, Availability, Processing Integrity, Confidentiality, and Privacy. The Security part is mandatory for everyone. This is where you have to prove your defenses work with things like penetration testing.

Getting a SOC 2 report is expensive and slow, which is tough for startups. Traditional firms charge a fortune and take forever. We solve this with fast, affordable penetration tests from certified pros (OSCP, CEH, CREST) that give you an auditor-ready report in about a week.

How To Choose Between SOC 1 And SOC 2

Don't overthink it. The choice between SOC 1 and SOC 2 comes down to your core service. Ask yourself: if our service fails, does it cause a financial error for our client, or does it expose their data? Your answer points you to the right report.

If you impact client financials, you need a SOC 1. This applies to payroll processors or billing platforms. If you store or manage customer data, you need a SOC 2. This is the case for nearly all modern SaaS companies.

Sometimes, you might need both, especially in FinTech. For example, a platform that manages billing and stores sensitive data needs both reports. Understanding identifying regulatory standards like SOC helps you create a clear compliance plan.

The smartest first step is to listen to your customers. Their security review questions will tell you exactly which report you need to close deals. For SOC 2, the Security criterion is always the place to start, and we help you prove it affordably.

Penetration Testing Is Crucial For SOC 2

For a SOC 2 report, the Security criterion is non-negotiable. Auditors need hard proof your defenses are real, not just policies on paper. A penetration test is the best evidence you can provide.

A pentest is basically hiring an ethical hacker to find weaknesses before a real attacker does. A clean report shows your auditor you're actively testing your security. It’s important to understand the difference between penetration testing vs vulnerability assessment to prepare correctly.

Traditional pentesting is slow and expensive, often costing over $25,000 and taking months. We are the affordable alternative. Our OSCP, CEH, and CREST certified pentesters deliver a thorough report in about a week, helping you meet audit deadlines without breaking the bank.

Get Your SOC 2 Audit Done Faster

A slow penetration test is the most common reason a SOC 2 audit gets delayed. Waiting weeks or months for a report from an overpriced firm wastes time and money. This is the exact problem we solve for IT managers and founders.

We deliver auditor-ready penetration test reports in about a week. This speed lets your team fix issues immediately, showing your auditor a fast and effective security process. This is critical for getting your SOC 2 audit completed on time.

Our focus is on affordability and speed. We give you access to certified pentesters (OSCP, CEH, CREST) without the high costs of traditional firms. Don't let a slow pentest become a bottleneck that keeps you from closing deals.

If you’re tired of high prices and slow reports, we can help. We provide the proof you need, fast, so you can get your SOC 2 and get back to growing your business.

Your Top SOC 1 vs SOC 2 Questions

It’s easy to get confused by compliance jargon. We hear the same questions all the time from IT managers and startup founders. Here are simple, no-nonsense answers to help you move forward.

The biggest difference between a Type I and Type II report is time. A Type I is a snapshot of your controls on one specific day. A Type II tests your controls over a period of 6 to 12 months to prove they work consistently. Most customers will ask for a Type II.

Yes, your company can need both a SOC 1 and a SOC 2 report. This is common for FinTech companies that process financial transactions and also store sensitive customer data. You need both to satisfy financial auditors and security teams.

A SOC audit should be done annually. Since threats and systems change, clients need yearly proof that your controls are still effective. This is why finding an affordable partner for required tasks like penetration testing is so important for your budget.

A penetration test doesn't guarantee you pass your SOC 2 audit, but it is critical evidence for the Security criterion. It shows the auditor you are proactively finding and fixing vulnerabilities. Our fast reports give you time to fix issues before the audit begins, setting you up for success.

At Affordable Pentesting, we know that getting ready for a SOC 2 audit can be a huge source of stress, especially when you're facing high prices and long wait times for a pentest. We deliver auditor-ready reports from certified experts in about a week, so you can get the evidence you need without delaying your compliance goals.

Ready to accelerate your SOC 2 journey? Get in touch with us through our contact form.