SOC 2 vs ISO 27001
Two security frameworks, different origins, different buyers, significant overlap. Here is how to choose and whether you need both.
Side-by-side comparison
| Dimension | SOC 2 | ISO 27001 |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | United States (AICPA) | International (ISO/IEC) |
| Output | Audit report (Type I or II) | Certificate (3-year with surveillances) |
| Primary buyers | US enterprise buyers | European and global enterprise buyers |
| Structure | Trust Services Criteria (TSC) | ISMS clauses + Annex A controls |
| Audit issuer | AICPA-licensed CPA firm | Accredited certification body (BSI, SGS, etc.) |
| Timeline | Type I: 3 to 5 months. Type II: 8 to 14 months | 6 to 12 months to certification |
| Renewal | Annual audit | Annual surveillance + 3-year recertification |
| Scope | Defined system scope | Full ISMS scope |
| Risk assessment | Implicit in TSC criteria | Explicit, mandatory, documented |
Where they overlap
Access control
SOC 2 CC6 and ISO 27001 Annex A Technological controls both require restricted access, MFA, and periodic access reviews.
Incident response
CC7 (SOC 2) and ISO 27001 Clause 8 both require an incident detection and response process with documented procedures.
Change management
CC8 and ISO 27001 Technological controls cover code review, deployment authorization, and change records.
Vendor risk
CC9 and ISO 27001 Organizational controls both require a vendor assessment and ongoing monitoring program.
Encryption
Both frameworks require encryption at rest and in transit for sensitive data.
Policy documentation
Both require written, acknowledged policies for security, acceptable use, incident response, and access management.
Which should you get first?
Get SOC 2 first if...
Your primary buyers are US companies. Enterprise procurement in the US asks for SOC 2 almost universally. It is the standard starting point for B2B SaaS.
Get ISO 27001 first if...
You sell primarily into Europe, APAC, or government markets. ISO 27001 is the standard those buyers recognize and require.
Get both if...
You sell globally or you want the strongest possible security signal. The control overlap means the second one is significantly cheaper than the first.
The practical order
Most startups: SOC 2 Type I, then Type II, then ISO 27001 as the third major initiative. The ISMS muscle you build for SOC 2 accelerates ISO 27001 substantially.
Frequently asked
What is the difference between SOC 2 and ISO 27001?
SOC 2 is a US audit report for SaaS data protection. ISO 27001 is an international ISMS certificate. Different outputs, different buyers, significant control overlap.
Should I get SOC 2 or ISO 27001 first?
US-focused companies: SOC 2 first. Global or Europe-focused companies: ISO 27001 first or simultaneously. The two share enough overlap that getting one makes the other faster.
Can I use the same controls for both?
Yes. Most controls overlap, so a well-run program maps each control to both frameworks and collects the evidence once for both audits.
How long does each take?
SOC 2 Type II: 8 to 14 months. ISO 27001 certification: 4 to 12 months for most startups, depending on size. Both require ongoing annual work for renewals.
Related: SOC 2 compliance automation, ISO 27001 automation, add CPCSC to the comparison
Get started with both frameworks