A Fintech Startup’s
SOC 2 Type II Compliance Journey Powered by Akitra’s Compliance Automation Platform and Expert Support
Akitra Transformed Wink’s Compliance Process, Making It Faster, Smarter, and Effortless.
Achieving SOC 2 Type II compliance is a critical milestone for any company prioritizing security and trust. For Wink, a fintech innovator committed to seamless and secure customer experiences, this journey was no exception. As a first-time compliance effort, Wink needed a trusted partner to guide them through the complexities of building and maintaining a robust compliance program. With Akitra, a leading AI-enabled, Next generation Compliance Automation platform, Wink successfully navigated the challenges, achieving SOC 2 Type II attestation while reinforcing their commitment to data security and customer trust.
The Challenge
Wink, as a fintech startup, faced the challenge of building its first-ever compliance program from the ground up:
Trust and Security as Priorities: Handling sensitive customer data made trust and security essential, making SOC 2 compliance crucial to proving their commitment to safeguarding information.
Limitations of Manual Processes: Manual compliance processes were not a viable option due to their complexity. Tracee Lee Beebe described manual efforts as “long, tedious, and nearly impossible,” involving overwhelming tasks like evidence collection, policy creation, and control implementation.
Resource Constraints: As a startup, Wink needed to focus its limited resources on building and growing its business, not getting bogged down in time-consuming manual compliance processes.
The Need for a Streamlined Solution: Wink required an efficient and flexible compliance solution that could simplify, automate and accelerate their SOC 2 journey without compromising on thoroughness or trustworthiness.
Akitra gave us the clarity and control we needed, everything from tracking policy reviews and employee compliance to ensuring our systems are secure and aligned. It’s like having a compliance command center that lets us protect customer data, earn trust, and stay flexible.
Tracee Lee Beebe
Operations Manager, Wink
Akitra's Solution
Wink discovered Akitra through a colleague’s recommendation and was immediately impressed by the platform’s combination of automation technology and personalized support. After evaluating other platforms, Wink chose Akitra for its holistic approach to compliance automation and hands-on guidance.
Key features of Akitra leading edge compliance automation platform that benefited Wink included:
Centralized Visibility and Control: Tracee Lee Beebe appreciated the ability to log into Akitra’s platform and visually track policies, evidence, and progress in real-time. The platform provided a transparent view of which employees had reviewed and agreed to policies and completed training.
Automation and Flexibility: Akitra’s integration capabilities ensured seamless setup and compliance monitoring across Wink’s systems. Automation eliminated the need for manual data collection, enabling Wink’s team to focus on core operations.
Customized Support: Weekly check-ins with a dedicated project manager ensured Wink stayed on track with their compliance journey. Expert advice on tailoring policies to Wink’s unique business model provided clarity and direction.
Trust and Autonomy: Akitra’s Next Generation Compliance Automation Platform balanced compliance monitoring with employee privacy, allowing Wink to maintain trust while ensuring adherence to security standards.
The Result
With Akitra’s support, Wink achieved SOC 2 compliance smoothly, turning what could have been a complex process into a streamlined and impactful experience. Tracee Lee Beebe described her experience best: “Akitra hit all the right spots with their tools, techniques, and expertise. It was a good deal all around for everyone.” Key outcomes included:
Rapid Implementation: Wink built its compliance program and completed the SOC 2 audit preparation within a month. This was a remarkable achievement for a startup with no prior policies compared to traditional timelines of six months to a year.
Significant Cost and Time Savings: Akitra’s automation and expert support saved Wink significant time and costs. Tracee Lee Beebe highlighted the smooth, hassle-free process as a key ROI metric, noting the elimination of “stops and starts” typical in manual or less supportive compliance efforts.
Enhanced Customer Trust: Achieving SOC 2 compliance gave Wink a competitive edge, demonstrating its commitment to security and transparency. Wink’s customers could trust that their sensitive data was protected, fostering stronger business relationships.
I would absolutely recommend Akitra. It offers a full 360-degree view of our compliance program – something you won’t find anywhere else. From having a dedicated project manager and tech experts to an automation platform that handles evidence collection, training, and scheduling at the push of a button, Akitra makes it easy to see exactly where we are in our compliance journey.
