SOC 2 Clinic #6 - Securing Your Company

In our third issue exploring SOC 2 Trust Services Criteria, we dive into organizational security - the human and process elements that form the backbone of your security posture.

Board Oversight & Governance

A legitimate board provides crucial oversight of security initiatives and risk management. Strong governance requires experienced board members who understand security implications and can guide the business appropriately.

Real-life example: T-Mobile's 2022 data breach exposed 77 million people's data, resulting in a $350 million fine - highlighting the critical importance of board-level security oversight.

Business Continuity

Organizations must be prepared to maintain operations during disruptions. This means having documented plans for various scenarios and testing them regularly.

Real-life example: When lightning struck Cantey Technology's office in South Carolina, destroying their infrastructure, their clients experienced zero disruption because they had properly implemented off-site redundancy in their continuity planning.

Legal Protection

Having legal counsel on retainer helps navigate security incidents, handle contracts, and manage intellectual property concerns. This becomes especially critical during security incidents when quick legal guidance is needed.

Employee Lifecycle Management

Onboarding

• Implement thorough vetting processes

• Provide comprehensive security training

• Ensure proper legal agreements are signed

Offboarding

• Immediately revoke all system access

• Collect company equipment

• Conduct exit interviews to ensure all business information is properly transferred

Real-life example: A German telecom company's robust incident management system helped them restore service within six hours after a fire damaged their crucial switching center, demonstrating the importance of proper employee training and response procedures.

Policy Framework

Written security policies provide the foundation for all security controls. They should be:

• Realistic and comprehensible

• Regularly updated

• Supported by top management

• Include clear incident reporting mechanisms

Risk Analysis

Organizations need dedicated personnel responsible for:

• Evaluating internal and external risks

• Gathering expert opinions

• Regular board briefings on security status

Real-life example: An electric company in Georgia proactively implemented redundant data lines and off-site server replication after experiencing a single line failure, showing how proper risk analysis leads to improved security measures.

Remember: Security is not just about technology - it's about people, processes, and governance working together to protect your organization's assets and maintain customer trust.