Getting SOC 2 compliance is a big deal, but staying compliant is where the real work happens. SOC 2 isn’t just about passing an audit once—it’s about making security a habit. That means keeping up with key processes to make sure your systems stay locked down, your data stays safe, and you’re always ready when the auditors come knocking.
Here’s a breakdown of the key recurring processes that help keep your SOC 2 compliance on track.
Weekly Processes
Security Meetings
A dedicated weekly security meeting keeps everyone aligned on compliance, risk, and security initiatives. These meetings should cover:
- Open security tickets and ongoing remediation efforts
- Compliance-related tasks and upcoming deadlines
- Emerging threats and industry trends
- Any recent security incidents and lessons learned
Cyber Threat Review
New vulnerabilities and attack techniques pop up every day. Staying ahead means scanning trusted security sources (CISA, NIST, Krebs on Security, etc.) for:
- Emerging cyber threats that could impact your business
- Major breaches in your industry
- Patches or mitigations for newly discovered vulnerabilities
Employee Policy/Training Monitoring and Reminders
Employees play a huge role in security, and bad habits can creep in fast. Each week, make sure:
- Everyone is up to date on required security training
- Any policy violations or gaps in training are flagged and addressed
- Reminders are sent out for upcoming compliance deadlines
Quarterly Processes
User Account Audits
To keep access locked down, conduct a quarterly review of:
- Who has access to what (and whether they still need it)
- Any inactive accounts that should be deactivated
- Privileged access roles to ensure they’re still justified
Log Review Audits
Security logs are one of your best tools for detecting threats. Every quarter, review:
- Access logs for any unauthorized activity
- System and application logs for anomalies
- Whether logs are being properly stored and retained
Bi-Annual & Annual Processes
Backup Restoration Testing (Bi-Annually)
Having backups is great, but do they actually work? Twice a year, test your backup restoration process to:
- Confirm data can be recovered quickly and completely
- Ensure backups are meeting business continuity needs
- Identify and fix any issues before a real disaster happens
Network Configuration Review (Annually)
Misconfigured networks are a hacker’s dream. Once a year, audit your network settings to:
- Remove any unused or unnecessary access points
- Validate firewall rules and access controls
- Ensure network segmentation follows security best practices
Vendor Risk Assessments (Annually)
Third-party vendors can introduce serious security risks. An annual vendor risk review should include:
- Assessing vendor security controls and policies
- Reviewing contracts for compliance with security requirements
- Addressing any high-risk vendors or service providers
Continuous Monitoring & Compliance Processes
Monitor Compliance Platform for Issues
If you use a compliance automation platform (e.g., Secureframe, Vanta, Drata), make sure you’re actively tracking:
- Compliance drift or failed controls
- Missing evidence before the next audit
- Misconfigurations that could impact SOC 2 readiness
Monitor Cloud Infrastructure Alerts
Cloud environments generate tons of alerts—ignoring them isn’t an option. Ongoing monitoring should focus on:
- Unauthorized access attempts
- Misconfigured cloud resources (e.g., exposed S3 buckets, risky IAM permissions)
- Any security issues that need immediate remediation
Endpoint Compliance Monitoring
Devices are often the weakest link in security. Keep an eye on:
- Whether endpoints (laptops, servers, mobile devices) stay encrypted and up to date
- If endpoint security tools (like EDR) are functioning properly
- Whether policy enforcement (e.g., disabling USB ports, blocking unauthorized apps) is working
Monitor and Advise on Security Tickets
Security issues don’t fix themselves. Continuously track security tickets to:
- Make sure critical vulnerabilities get patched on time
- Keep compliance-related issues from slipping through the cracks
- Ensure teams are resolving security concerns before they become bigger problems
Maintaining SOC 2 compliance isn’t about scrambling for an audit—it’s about building security into your day-to-day operations. By keeping up with these recurring processes, you won’t just stay compliant—you’ll strengthen your security, reduce risk, and build trust with customers and stakeholders.
The key is consistency. Stay proactive, track issues before they become problems, and when audit time rolls around, you’ll be ready.
.jpg)
