As organizations increasingly rely on cloud services and digital infrastructure, the need to protect sensitive customer data has never been more critical. One of the most recognized frameworks for ensuring data security and privacy is SOC 2 (System and Organization Controls 2). But here’s the catch: SOC 2 compliance is often misunderstood and misused.
Too many companies treat SOC 2 as a checkbox exercise — a hurdle to clear for sales or marketing purposes. They rush through the process, prioritizing the certificate over the substance. This mindset not only undermines the value of SOC 2 but also exposes organizations to real security risks.
As BEMO’s CISO, I see many companies that reach out to us wanting us to make them SOC 2 compliant as soon as possible, using an unknown assessor, and not wanting to leverage a GRC platform (like Drata or Vanta) to make future annual recurring recertification easier. I believe that if every company were serious about securing its environment, many of the daily breaches would not happen.
So, only reach out to BEMO if you genuinely care about securing your infrastructure and keeping it secure and compliant, for REAL! If you only want a piece of paper, go to our competition.
This article examines why SOC 2 should be a security-first initiative, rather than just a compliance badge, and how organizations can shift their mindset to establish a truly secure and trustworthy environment.
The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) created SOC 2 to help service providers secure customer data in the cloud. Unlike prescriptive standards like ISO 27001, SOC 2 is principles-based, focusing on five Trust Services Criteria (TSC):
A SOC 2 audit verifies whether your controls are effectively performing their intended functions — and doing so consistently.
But here’s the key: SOC 2 doesn’t tell you how to be secure — it tells you what you need to achieve. That flexibility is both a strength and a risk. It allows organizations to tailor controls to their environment, but it also opens the door to minimalism and box-checking.
Many companies pursue SOC 2 for one reason: customer demand. Prospects often request a SOC 2 report before signing a contract, prompting the company to scramble to obtain one quickly. This leads to:
This approach may result in a clean SOC 2 report, but it creates a false sense of security. The organization appears compliant but remains vulnerable to breaches, insider threats, and operational failures.
SOC 2 compliance is a snapshot in time. Security is a continuous process. You can pass an audit and still be insecure if your controls are poorly implemented, outdated, or ignored.
Real security requires:
Customers don’t just want to see a SOC 2 report — they want to know their data is safe. A security-first approach builds long-term trust, which is far more valuable than a one-time certification. The certification needs to be renewed annually, and consistently passing it year after year is a good indication that you prioritize security. At BEMO, you can view the live status of our controls (https://trust.bemopro.com), which is monitored by a third-party GRC tool. You do not have to trust our word. You can see it by yourselves.
The average cost of a data breach in the United States in 2024 was $9.36 million, the highest globally—nearly double the $4.88 million global average
In sectors like healthcare, the U.S. average breach cost reached $9.77 million, while financial services averaged $6.08 million
Total Annual Cost to U.S. Corporations
While precise annual figures for the U.S. alone are hard to find, a 2016 analysis estimated the annual cost of corporate data breaches in the U.S. at around $10 billion.
Since then, the severity and frequency of breaches have increased. Considering the per-incident cost has more than doubled, current total costs are likely in the tens of billions per year for U.S. businesses alone.
The reputational damage, legal liability, and customer churn can be devastating. A checkbox approach to SOC 2 won’t protect you from these consequences.
Privacy laws, such as GDPR and CCPA, are becoming increasingly stringent. However, SOC 2 only helps with regulatory compliance if it is built on a strong security foundation.
Before implementing controls, it is essential to understand your threat landscape. What data do you store? Who has access? What are your most critical assets? A risk-based approach ensures your controls are meaningful and effective.
Security isn’t just an IT issue — it’s a company-wide responsibility. Train employees, promote secure behaviors, and integrate security into your core values. A strong culture is your best defense against human error and insider threats.
Use tools for:
Automation reduces human error and ensures controls are consistently applied.
Not all SOC 2 auditors are equal. Choose a firm that:
A good assessor will challenge you to be better, not just compliant. We’ve declined to work with clients who insisted on using low-cost assessors focused only on checking boxes. That’s not real security — it’s a false sense of protection.
At BEMO, we only work with the following four firms: Sensiba, AssuranceLab, A-Lign, and Riviera Bay Insurance.
SOC 2 should be a byproduct of good security, not the endgame. Meaning, if you’re doing security right, SOC 2 will follow naturally — not the other way around Use the audit to validate your efforts, identify gaps, and improve continuously.
When you prioritize security over compliance, you gain:
SOC 2 is a robust framework, but its value depends on how it is applied. If you treat it as a checkbox, you may pass the audit but fail to meet your customers' expectations. If you treat it as a security-first initiative, you’ll build a stronger, safer, and more trustworthy organization.
So ask yourself: Are you chasing a certificate, or are you building a culture of security?
The choice is yours — but your customers, your reputation, and your future depend on it.