Introduction
When evaluating SSO providers, you'll often see "SOC 2 Certified" or "SOC 2 Type II Compliant" badges. But what does this actually mean, and why should you care? This article demystifies SOC 2 compliance and explains why it's crucial when selecting an authentication provider.
What is SOC 2?
SOC 2 (Service Organization Control 2) is an auditing framework developed by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). It evaluates how well a service organization manages data to protect the privacy and interests of its clients.
The Trust Service Criteria
SOC 2 audits evaluate organizations against five "Trust Service Criteria":
- Protection against unauthorized access
- System monitoring and incident response
- Logical and physical access controls
- System uptime and performance
- Disaster recovery capabilities
- Capacity planning
- System processing is complete, accurate, and timely
- Data validation and error handling
- Protection of confidential information
- Data encryption and access restrictions
- Collection, use, and disposal of personal information
- Consent management
Type I vs Type II
- SOC 2 Type I: Point-in-time assessment—controls are designed appropriately
- SOC 2 Type II: Period assessment (typically 12 months)—controls are operating effectively
Type II is significantly more rigorous and valuable because it proves consistent compliance over time.
Why SOC 2 Matters for SSO
Your SSO provider is the gateway to your applications. They handle:
- User credentials and authentication sessions
- Access tokens and security assertions
- User identity data
- Integration with your identity provider
This makes them a prime target for attackers and a critical link in your security chain.
Risk Factors Without SOC 2
Choosing a non-SOC 2 compliant SSO provider introduces several risks:
Security Risks:
- No third-party validation of security controls
- Unknown data handling practices
- Potentially inadequate incident response
- Weaker access controls to customer data
Business Risks:
- May fail your vendor security assessments
- Could block enterprise deals
- Increases your own compliance burden
- Creates liability in case of breach
Operational Risks:
- Unknown uptime guarantees
- Unclear disaster recovery capabilities
- Potential service disruptions
What to Look for in a SOC 2 Report
When evaluating an SSO provider's SOC 2 compliance, ask for:
1. The Full Report
Not just the marketing badge—request the actual audit report. Reputable providers will share this under NDA.
2. Type II Certification
Type I is a starting point, but Type II demonstrates ongoing compliance. Ask when they achieved Type II and the period covered.
3. Covered Criteria
Which of the five Trust Service Criteria were included? For SSO providers, you want at least:
- Security (required)
- Availability
- Confidentiality
4. Exception Notes
Check if there were any exceptions or findings noted by the auditor. A few minor exceptions are common, but significant findings are red flags.
5. Report Freshness
SOC 2 reports should be recent. A report from 3+ years ago may not reflect current practices.
Questions to Ask Your SSO Provider
Before signing with an SSO provider, ask these SOC 2-related questions:
Beyond SOC 2: Additional Compliance Considerations
While SOC 2 is important, it's not the only compliance consideration:
Industry-Specific Standards
- PCI DSS - If handling payment data
- HIPAA - If processing healthcare information
- FedRAMP - For US government contracts
International Standards
- ISO 27001 - International security management standard
- GDPR - European data protection regulation
- Privacy Shield/SCCs - Data transfer mechanisms
Regional Requirements
- CCPA - California Consumer Privacy Act
- LGPD - Brazilian data protection law
- PIPEDA - Canadian privacy law
SecurePie's Compliance Commitment
At SecurePie, we take compliance seriously:
- SOC 2 Type II Certified - Audited annually
- All Five Trust Criteria - Complete coverage
- Transparent Reports - Available to customers under NDA
- Continuous Compliance - Automated monitoring and evidence collection
- Security-First Culture - Compliance is baked into our processes
We believe every customer deserves enterprise-grade security, and that starts with rigorous compliance standards.
Conclusion
SOC 2 compliance isn't just a checkbox—it's a signal that an SSO provider takes security seriously. When your SSO provider handles your authentication, they become a critical part of your security infrastructure. Don't settle for vendors who can't demonstrate third-party validated security practices.
Ask the hard questions, review the reports, and choose a provider that meets your compliance requirements. Your security team—and your auditors—will thank you.
Questions about our security practices? Contact our team or visit our Security page for more information.