What is SOC 2 automation? How to automate your SOC 2 compliance with DefendSphere

SOC 2 Compliance Automation

SOC 2 is a widely recognized security framework designed for organizations that handle customer data. It establishes security best practices and helps businesses demonstrate their commitment to protecting sensitive information. Many enterprises require their vendors to have a SOC 2 report before engaging in business with them, making compliance essential for building trust and securing partnerships.

However, obtaining SOC 2 compliance can be a long, complex, and expensive process. When done manually, it can take up to a year to complete due to the extensive steps involved, including scoping the report, implementing security controls, collecting documentation, and passing an audit. Compliance automation significantly reduces this timeline by streamlining these tasks and improving efficiency.

In this article, we’ll explore SOC 2 compliance automation, its benefits, which parts of the process can be automated, and how DefendSphere helps organizations achieve SOC 2 compliance faster and more effectively.

What is SOC 2 Compliance Automation?

SOC 2 compliance automation involves using specialized software to automate or simplify key aspects of the compliance process. By leveraging automation, businesses can reduce manual work, ensure accuracy, and expedite their compliance journey.

Compliance automation platforms, like DefendSphere, help with:

• Continuous security monitoring

• Automated document and evidence collection

• Testing and validating security controls

• Providing remediation guidance for non-compliant areas

• Conducting automated risk assessments

  
  

Using automation, companies can streamline their SOC 2 preparation, scope their reports efficiently, track required actions, test security controls, and prepare documentation for audits.

Beyond the initial SOC 2 audit, automation ensures continuous compliance by running regular security checks, ensuring that all controls remain effective, and keeping organizations audit-ready year-round.

Benefits of SOC 2 Compliance Automation

There are three common approaches to achieving SOC 2 compliance:

1. Managing the process manually in-house

2. Hiring a consultant or external compliance expert

3. Using compliance automation software

   
   

Choosing automation provides several advantages over manual approaches:

1. Expertise Without the Overhead

Achieving SOC 2 compliance requires specialized knowledge of security frameworks and policies. Small or inexperienced teams often face skill gaps that lead to inefficiencies or costly consultant fees. DefendSphere bridges these gaps with automated workflows and step-by-step guidance, ensuring teams can confidently navigate the process.

Even experienced teams benefit from automation. Manual compliance efforts always carry a risk of human error, but DefendSphere enhances accuracy by continuously scanning systems for compliance gaps and offering corrective actions. This reduces the risk of audit failures and strengthens overall security.

2. Time and Cost Savings

Manually handling SOC 2 compliance can take months and require extensive resources. Hiring consultants is costly and still involves a significant amount of internal effort. DefendSphere accelerates compliance by automating evidence collection, risk assessments, and report preparation, allowing organizations to achieve compliance in half the time and at a fraction of the cost.

3. More Efficient Audits

SOC 2 compliance culminates in an audit, and preparation is crucial. If organizations lack proper documentation or system access, audits can drag on for weeks or even months. DefendSphere streamlines audit readiness by centralizing documentation and providing auditors with direct access to necessary reports, reducing delays and administrative back-and-forth.

4. Continuous Compliance Monitoring

SOC 2 compliance isn’t a one-time event—it requires ongoing monitoring to ensure that security protocols remain effective. DefendSphere offers real-time compliance tracking, alerting teams to potential issues and ensuring that corrective actions are taken before problems escalate.

5. Support for Multiple Compliance Frameworks

Many organizations require compliance with multiple standards, such as ISO 27001, HIPAA, or GDPR. Managing these requirements manually can be overwhelming. DefendSphere allows businesses to track their compliance status across multiple frameworks, making it easier to align security practices and meet various regulatory obligations efficiently.

What Can Be Automated in the SOC 2 Process?

DefendSphere is designed by compliance experts to automate and simplify the most complex aspects of SOC 2 compliance. While some steps still require manual input, automation significantly reduces the workload and enhances accuracy.

Automated SOC 2 tasks include:

• Collecting and tracking evidence to verify security controls

• Conducting holistic risk assessments

• Managing employee security training

• Reviewing security policies

• Assigning and tracking compliance tasks

• Scanning systems for security vulnerabilities

• Monitoring third-party applications for risks

• Managing access controls and user onboarding/offboarding workflows

  
  

Manual SOC 2 tasks that can be assisted with automation:

• Defining and enforcing security policies (with automation providing templates and guidance)

• Performing vulnerability scans and penetration tests (integrated with automated reporting tools)

• Scoping SOC 2 reports (automation provides recommendations based on company-specific risks)

• Managing physical security at business locations (documentation storage within compliance platforms)

• Developing and maintaining incident response and business continuity plans

  
  

While not every step can be fully automated, DefendSphere significantly reduces the effort required for SOC 2 compliance while improving accuracy and efficiency.

Choosing the Right Compliance Automation Software

A robust SOC 2 compliance automation platform should provide ongoing security and risk management, rather than just helping you pass an audit. DefendSphere offers key features to ensure long-term compliance success:

1. Continuous Monitoring

Traditional security assessments take point-in-time snapshots of compliance, leaving organizations vulnerable between audits. DefendSphere’s continuous monitoring ensures ongoing compliance by identifying risks in real-time and providing proactive remediation steps.

2. Effective Risk Management

DefendSphere includes an automated risk register that simplifies annual SOC 2 assessments. This feature helps organizations track compliance tasks, assign responsibilities, and maintain up-to-date security documentation.

3. Streamlined Employee Onboarding & Offboarding

SOC 2 compliance requires strict control over user access. DefendSphere automates access reviews, onboarding, and offboarding workflows to ensure only authorized personnel have access to sensitive systems.

4. Automated Compliance Testing & Remediation

Vulnerability scans play a critical role in SOC 2 compliance. DefendSphere integrates with leading security scanning tools, providing dashboards with remediation guidance to quickly address identified risks.

Get Started with SOC 2 Automation

DefendSphere’s compliance automation platform simplifies the SOC 2 process, enabling organizations to achieve and maintain compliance efficiently.

With DefendSphere, the SOC 2 journey includes:

• Integrating your IT infrastructure with our platform

• Conducting comprehensive risk assessments

• Identifying compliance gaps with real-time alerts

• Automating evidence collection and documentation

• Preparing for audits with a centralized compliance dashboard

• Providing direct access to auditors for streamlined assessments

• Achieving SOC 2 compliance in half the time

---

Interested in Simplifying your SOC 2 Compliance Journey?

Contact DefendSphere today to learn how our automation solutions can support your organization's security and compliance needs

Contact Us