Earning your SOC 2 attestation is a significant achievement, but it's just the beginning of your ongoing commitment to data security. Clients and stakeholders rely on your compliance as a foundation of trust, and understanding how long your SOC 2 attestation remains valid is essential to maintaining that trust and staying competitive.
Are you curious about what it takes to keep your SOC 2 compliance current and avoid pitfalls that could put your business at risk? Keep reading to discover exactly how long your SOC 2 attestation lasts and what you'll need to do to maintain it.
So, how long does SOC 2 certification last?
While it's commonly called "SOC 2 certification," the correct term is "SOC 2 attestation," since no formal certification is issued.
Instead, a licensed CPA firm conducts an audit and produces an official SOC 2 report, documenting that your organization has effective controls in place to safeguard customer data.
These controls are evaluated against five key criteria: security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy. By meeting these standards, your business assures clients and stakeholders that their sensitive information is reliably protected.
The importance of this assurance is growing every year. In 2024, the average cost of a data breach reached a record high of $4.88 million, marking a 10% increase from the previous year.
As a result, organizations are increasingly turning to SOC 2 attestations to demonstrate their commitment to data security. In fact, adoption of SOC 2 surged by 40% in 2024 as businesses looked to build trust, increase revenue, and gain a competitive edge.
In most cases, a SOC 2 report is valid for one year from the date of issuance. This means you need to undergo an annual audit to maintain your certification and demonstrate continuous compliance with the SOC 2 trust services criteria.
SOC 2 reports come in two types, both with a different focus:
A SOC 2 Type 1 report evaluates the design and implementation of your controls at a specific point in time. It provides a snapshot of your compliance posture but does not assess the operating effectiveness of your controls over an extended period.
A SOC 2 Type 2 report assesses both the design and operating effectiveness of your controls over a specified period, typically six to twelve months. This report offers a more comprehensive view of your ongoing compliance efforts.
Maintaining a current SOC 2 attestation requires completing an annual audit cycle, which consists of several essential phases:
Before starting the audit, your organization reviews and updates internal controls to ensure they align with current SOC 2 requirements and your evolving business processes.
During this phase, an independent CPA firm evaluates your controls against the SOC 2 Trust Services Criteria. The auditor tests both the design and operational effectiveness of your controls, collecting evidence to support their conclusions.
Upon completing the audit, the auditor issues your SOC 2 report, which includes their professional opinion on the effectiveness of your controls. Typically, this report is relevant for approximately 12 months from the date of issuance.
If the auditor identifies any deficiencies or potential improvements, you must address these issues promptly to maintain compliance. Timely remediation helps demonstrate your ongoing commitment to data security in future audits.
To ensure continuous SOC 2 compliance, schedule your next audit well before your current SOC 2 report reaches one year. Organizations usually begin the renewal audit process several months early to allow adequate time for preparation, assessment, and reporting.
Maintaining SOC 2 compliance is important for your organization because it helps meet client expectations, allows you to comply with industry standards, and mitigate security risks.
Clients expect recent, valid proof that your systems protect their data. A SOC 2 report issued more than 12 months ago often won’t meet vendor due diligence checklists. Many procurement teams now require an active SOC 2 report before signing contracts or renewing agreements. Expired attestations can delay deals or disqualify your business entirely.
SOC 2 certification increases credibility with enterprise buyers. A current SOC 2 report helps you stand out against vendors without one in competitive markets. Buyers use it as a fast way to evaluate your security posture, especially when comparing similar solutions.
Maintaining SOC 2 helps you align with broader regulatory requirements. While not a law, SOC 2 maps to frameworks like HIPAA, ISO 27001, and NIST. This makes it easier to adapt to future legal or contractual obligations.
The annual audit process forces a regular review of your controls' performance in practice. Gaps, outdated configurations, or new vulnerabilities get flagged before they cause damage. Staying compliant reduces blind spots and improves your response time.
SOC 2 requires repeatable processes, clear documentation, and ongoing staff accountability. Annual renewals reinforce a security-first mindset and help you build stronger internal discipline over time.
SOC 2 compliance is a 12-month cycle. Skipping a renewal or delaying remediation puts your report and business relationships at risk. Maintaining audit readiness year-round allows you to stay compliant, reduce risk, and avoid disruptions to your sales process.
BEMO automates SOC 2 monitoring, audit coordination, and control validation so you don’t fall out of compliance between audit cycles.
SOC 2 audits are generally performed annually to ensure continuous compliance and confirm that controls remain effective over time.
Type 1 evaluates control design at a single point in time, while Type 2 assesses both design and operating effectiveness over a period of six to twelve months.
Timely renewal maintains client trust, meets due diligence requirements, and keeps your organization aligned with regulatory expectations and security standards.