Remote Work & SOC Audits: What Businesses Need to Know

Many companies today allow their employees to work from home. In fact, some companies are completely remote with no brick-and-mortar locations.

However, simply because a company offers employees the option of working remotely or operating in a hybrid model doesn’t absolve it from SOC 2 compliance. The company may still need to undergo this process and wonder how to do so.

Remote Operations and SOC 2 Compliance

Business owners are pleased to know that certain aspects of being remote simplify SOC 2 compliance. There is no centralized office space for SOC auditors to visit, so physical security requirements are eliminated. The company won’t need to worry about physical security threats, making security control implementation easier.

Companies that have opted for full remote operations require workers to abide by all policies and document all actions. Robust documentation ensures employees know what is expected of them when working autonomously. SOC 2 auditors look for well-documented policies and procedures, and the fully remote company already has these in place.

However, fully remote companies also encounter some challenges regarding SOC 2 compliance, which relate to the trust services criteria. Vulnerabilities must be plugged, as home networks with IoT devices lack enterprise-grade security measures, and employees often use their personal devices to complete tasks. Cybercriminals recognize this and take advantage of these vulnerabilities whenever possible.

The company must also ensure that systems and data are available for operation and use, which can be challenging in a remote environment. An internet outage at a worker’s home can impact operations, as most people don’t have a backup power supply or secondary ISP. Furthermore, system availability is impacted if cloud services or data centers aren’t operational.

Systems and data must be protected against unauthorized changes, and all data processes must be complete, accurate, and authorized. Every company must prioritize ensuring remote workers can access assets as needed while preventing unauthorized access, regardless of where workers operate. Any change to a system or process must undergo testing and validation to confirm processing integrity.

Confidentiality must be maintained to ensure sensitive data isn’t compromised. Workers must use two-factor authentication, a virtual private network, or other remote access mechanisms to prevent unauthorized access. Data has to be encrypted in transit and at rest to ensure it doesn’t fall into the wrong hands. Finally, the company must secure all personal information of clients and employees using encryption and access controls. The company’s vendors must also comply with its privacy requirements and standards.

SOC 2 Compliance Best Practices

Remote organizations need to implement SOC 2 compliance best practices. They must plan for the audit before it starts and conduct a risk assessment to determine and analyze risks, so security measures can be implemented to mitigate them. Update police and procedures to ensure they address the unique aspects of remote work and continuously monitor security controls.

Employee training and awareness are critical in remote environments, and business owners must thoroughly vet third-party vendors before forming partnerships. Every team member must understand the role of SOC 2 compliance and be committed to ensuring this compliance for a successful audit.

Organizations undergo an SOC 2 audit for various reasons. Regardless of the reason, the company must establish and maintain a security environment for handling sensitive material and data. When it successfully does so in a remote environment, clients have confidence in the company and will continue to patronize it. Next up, you may want to explore a guide on cybersecurity tips for remote workers.