SOC 2 Type I is a foundational step for organizations aiming to establish and communicate their commitment to the highest standards of data security and privacy at a point in time. SOC 2 Type I is a designation within the Service Organization Control (SOC) framework, specifically focusing on the security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy of data handled by service providers. It represents a point-in-time assessment, evaluating the design effectiveness of the controls implemented by an organization. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) developed the Trust Services Criteria (TSC), which serves as its foundation.
SOC 2 Type I provides stakeholders, including customers and business partners, with assurance regarding the design of controls related to the security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy of information. It is particularly relevant for service organizations that handle sensitive data but do not require a continuous, ongoing assessment of control effectiveness.