A Comprehensive Guide To The SOC For Cybersecurity Report

In today’s high-stakes digital environment, cyberattacks are increasing in both frequency and sophistication. According to a 2024 Gartner report, 45% of organisations will experience a cybersecurity breach by 2025. This makes it more critical than ever for businesses to prove their cyber resilience. The SOC for Cybersecurity report provides a trusted, standardised way to communicate the strength of your cybersecurity program to stakeholders, customers, and regulators.

This blog will explain what the SOC for Cybersecurity report entails, how it compares with other frameworks, and what your organisation can do to prepare for it effectively.

What Is the SOC for Cybersecurity Report?

Developed by the AICPA (American Institute of Certified Public Accountants), the SOC for Cybersecurity report evaluates how an organisation manages cyber risks. Unlike traditional financial audits, this cybersecurity report focuses entirely on your information security program—its design, effectiveness, and readiness against modern threats.

The report is designed for broad use—any organisation, regardless of industry, can use it to demonstrate a mature cybersecurity posture.

How SOC for Cybersecurity Differs from Other SOC Reports

Report Type	Focus Area	Audience
SOC 1	Financial reporting controls	Auditors, financial stakeholders
SOC 2	Trust Services Criteria (e.g., security, privacy)	SaaS providers, customers
SOC 3	Public version of SOC 2	General public, marketing use
SOC for Cybersecurity	Cybersecurity risk management program	Customers, regulators, investors

The SOC report is unique because it goes beyond trust principles and provides a full overview of your cybersecurity efforts—threat monitoring, response planning, and risk management.

Why Organisations Need a SOC for Cybersecurity Report

Not mandatory, but incredibly valuable, the SOC report offers major benefits across sectors

Tech companies: Prove data security and earn customer trust.
Healthcare providers: Meet HIPAA requirements more efficiently.
Financial institutions: Demonstrate risk readiness in compliance-heavy environments.
Government contractors: Show secure handling of sensitive data.

Key Components

Cybersecurity Risk Management Program Description

Explains how you identify, mitigate, and respond to cyber threats.

Management’s Assertion

Leadership attests that cybersecurity controls are effectively designed.

CPA Auditor’s Opinion

An independent licensed CPA evaluates the design and operating effectiveness of the controls.

Benefits of SOC for Cybersecurity Reporting

Builds Stakeholder Trust

According to Forrester, 67% of consumers will stop engaging with a brand after a data breach. A verified cybersecurity report reassures customers, partners, and investors.

Enhances Regulatory Alignment

Aligns with standards like ISO 27001, NIST CSF, HIPAA, GDPR, and PCI DSS, aiding in smoother audits and regulatory inspections.

Identifies Weak Spots

Pinpoints vulnerabilities and provides a path to strengthen your overall cybersecurity posture.

Boosts Competitive Edge

Companies with SOC reports differentiate themselves as trustworthy and security-focused.

Preparing for a SOC for Cybersecurity Audit

Use this step-by-step process to streamline your audit:

Set Clear Cybersecurity Objectives: Align your internal goals with the AICPA’s cybersecurity criteria.
Conduct an Internal Gap Analysis: Assess how your current security controls measure up against reporting requirements.
Enhance Cybersecurity Controls: Implement stronger access controls, monitoring solutions, and threat response protocols.
Centralize Documentation: Prepare risk assessments, employee training logs, incident reports, and third-party evaluations.
Engage a CPA with Cybersecurity Expertise: Choose an audit partner familiar with both financial controls and security operation centre services.

Challenges and Considerations

Complex Threat Landscape

As threats evolve, maintaining an effective information security operations centre can be difficult without continuous investment.

Resource Constraints

Small and mid-sized businesses may struggle with the cost of tools and manpower.

Policy Misalignment

Internal processes must be reviewed and aligned with the SOC for Cybersecurity criteria.

Post-Audit Maintenance

Passing the audit isn’t the end—ongoing managed security operations and monitoring are essential.

SOC for Cybersecurity vs Other Cybersecurity Frameworks

Framework	Core Focus	Primary Users
SOC for Cybersecurity	Cyber risk program reporting	All industries
SOC 2	Trust principles (e.g., security)	Cloud, SaaS, IT services
NIST CSF	Cyber risk assessments & response	Government, critical infrastructure
ISO 27001	ISMS for cybersecurity governance	Global enterprises

Conclusion

Cybersecurity isn’t just a back-office concern—it’s a frontline business issue. The SOC for Cybersecurity report provides a structured, audit-based way to evaluate and communicate your cyber readiness.

If you want to build trust, meet compliance mandates, and stay ahead of emerging risks, this report is your blueprint. In a world where credibility is currency, the SOC report can be your competitive advantage.

Security, AI Risk Management, and Compliance with Akitra!

In the competitive landscape of SaaS businesses, trust is paramount amidst data breaches and privacy concerns. Akitra addresses this need with its leading AI-powered Compliance Automation platform. Our platform empowers customers to prevent sensitive data disclosure and mitigate risks, meeting the expectations of customers and partners in the rapidly evolving landscape of data security and compliance. Through automated evidence collection and continuous monitoring, paired with customizable policies, Akitra ensures organizations are compliance-ready for various frameworks such as SOC 1, SOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR, PCI DSS, ISO 27001, ISO 27701, ISO 27017, ISO 27018, ISO 9001, ISO 13485, ISO 42001, NIST 800-53, NIST 800-171, NIST AI RMF, FedRAMP, CCPA, CMMC, SOX ITGC, and more such as CIS AWS Foundations Benchmark, Australian ISM and Essential Eight etc. In addition, companies can use Akitra’s Risk Management product for overall risk management using quantitative methodologies such as Factorial Analysis of Information Risks (FAIR) and qualitative methods, including NIST-based for your company, Vulnerability Assessment and Pen Testing services, Third Party Vendor Risk Management, Trust Center, and AI-based Automated Questionnaire Response product to streamline and expedite security questionnaire response processes, delivering huge cost savings. Our compliance and security experts provide customized guidance to navigate the end-to-end compliance process confidently. Last but not least, we have also developed a resource hub called Akitra Academy, which offers easy-to-learn short video courses on security, compliance, and related topics of immense significance for today’s fast-growing companies.

Our solution offers substantial time and cost savings, including discounted audit fees, enabling fast and cost-effective compliance certification. Customers achieve continuous compliance as they grow, becoming certified under multiple frameworks through a single automation platform.

Build customer trust. Choose Akitra TODAY!‍ To book your FREE DEMO, contact us right here.

FAQs

What is the purpose of the SOC for Cybersecurity report, and who needs it?

The SOC for Cybersecurity report helps organisations demonstrate the effectiveness of their cybersecurity risk management program to customers, investors, and regulators. It's especially valuable for companies in tech, finance, and healthcare that need to prove cyber resilience and compliance readiness.

How does the SOC for Cybersecurity report differ from a traditional SOC security operation centre audit?

Unlike audits of a SOC security operation centre that focus on monitoring and detection, the SOC for Cybersecurity report evaluates your organisation’s overall cybersecurity framework, including policies, risk management, and incident response capabilities.