In the digital age, cybersecurity isn’t just an IT issue—it’s a business imperative. As cyber threats grow more complex, companies are expected to prove they have effective security controls in place. That’s where SOC reports come into play.

Two common security attestation options are SOC for Cybersecurity and SOC 2, both developed by the AICPA (American Institute of Certified Public Accountants). While they may sound similar, they serve different purposes and audiences.

So, when evaluating SOC for Cybersecurity vs SOC 2, how do you know which is the right fit for your organization? Let’s break it down.

What Is SOC for Cybersecurity?

SOC for Cybersecurity is a general-purpose report designed to give a broad range of stakeholders insight into an organization’s cybersecurity risk management program. It’s ideal for businesses that want to provide transparency about how they manage and mitigate cyber risks.

This type of report is useful for public companies, financial institutions, or any organization that wants to demonstrate enterprise-level cyber resilience to investors, customers, or regulators.

Highlights of SOC for Cybersecurity:

• Audience: General public, investors, and stakeholders

• Scope: Organization-wide cybersecurity risk management

• Framework: Flexible—can use NIST, ISO, or other standards

• Goal: Demonstrate that the company is effectively managing cyber risk

What Is SOC 2?

SOC 2 is a more targeted report focused on a company’s controls related to the Trust Services Criteria: security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy. It’s intended for service organizations—particularly tech companies and SaaS providers—that manage or store customer data.

There are two types of SOC 2 reports:

• Type I: Describes the design of controls at a point in time

• Type II: Assesses the operational effectiveness of those controls over a set period (typically 3–12 months)

SOC 2 is frequently requested during vendor risk assessments or procurement processes.

Highlights of SOC 2:

• Audience: Clients, partners, and regulators

• Scope: Internal controls related to customer data and service systems

• Framework: Based on AICPA’s Trust Services Criteria

• Goal: Prove the organization is securely handling client information

SOC for Cybersecurity vs SOC 2: What’s the Difference?

At a glance, here’s how they compare:

In simple terms: SOC for Cybersecurity is like showing the big picture of your cyber health, while SOC 2 zooms in on how you’re protecting the data that matters most to your clients.

Which One Should You Choose?

If your goal is to show investors or the public that your entire organization takes cybersecurity seriously, SOC for Cybersecurity may be the right choice. But if your business depends on proving to customers that their data is safe with you, SOC 2 is often a necessity—especially for companies offering cloud services or digital platforms.

In some cases, organizations pursue both to meet the needs of different stakeholders.

Final Thoughts

Whether you're building trust with investors or closing deals with enterprise clients, having the right cybersecurity report in place is critical. Understanding the difference between SOC for Cybersecurity vs SOC 2 will help you make a more informed, strategic decision.