# SOC 2 Type I vs. Type II: What Every Organization Needs to Know About These Critical Compliance Standards

**[Differences between SOC 2 Type I and Type II](https://www.auditpeak.com/)** levels of compliance with the Service Organization Control (SOC) 2 framework, which is used by service organizations to demonstrate their commitment to data security and privacy. While both Type I and Type II reports are valuable tools for assessing a service organization's controls, there are some key differences between the two.

## SOC 2 Type I:

A SOC 2 Type I report evaluates the design and implementation of a service organization's controls at a specific point in time. The report provides assurance that the controls are suitably designed to meet the specified criteria for security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, or privacy.

## Key features of a SOC 2 Type I report include:

**1. Evaluation of controls:** The report assesses the design and implementation of controls at a specific point in time, focusing on whether the controls are suitably designed to meet the specified criteria.
**2. Limited time frame:** The report covers a limited period, usually a single date or point in time.
**3. Lack of testing:** While the controls are evaluated for design adequacy, there is no requirement for testing of the controls' effectiveness over time.
**4. Compliance snapshot:** The report provides a snapshot of the service organization's compliance with the SOC 2 criteria at a specific point in time.
**5. Limited insight:** Due to the lack of testing, the report provides limited insight into the operating effectiveness of the controls.

## SOC 2 Type II:

A SOC 2 Type II report evaluates the design and operating effectiveness of a service organization's controls over a specified period, typically a minimum of six months. The report provides assurance that the controls are not only suitably designed but also operating effectively to meet the specified criteria.

## Key features of a SOC 2 Type II report include:

**1. Evaluation of controls:** The report assesses both the design and operating effectiveness of controls over a specified period, typically a minimum of six months.

**2. Extended time frame:** The report covers a longer period, allowing for an assessment of the controls' operating effectiveness over time.

**3. Testing of controls:** The report includes testing of the controls' operating effectiveness to ensure they are working as intended to meet the specified criteria.

## Scope of assessment:

**1. SOC 2 Type I:** This report evaluates the design of a service organization's controls at a specific point in time. It provides an assessment of whether the controls are suitably designed to meet the specified criteria.

**2. SOC 2 Type II:** This report evaluates the effectiveness of a service organization's controls over a period of time (typically a minimum of 6 months). It provides an assessment of both the design and operating effectiveness of the controls.

## Timeframe:

**1. SOC 2 Type I:** Reports on the design of controls at a specific point in time.
**2. SOC 2 Type II:** Reports on the effectiveness of controls over a period of time, typically at least 6 months.

## Value:

**• SOC 2 Type I:** Provides a snapshot of the service organization's controls at a specific point in time, making it useful for demonstrating control design to stakeholders.
**• SOC 2 Type II:** Provides a comprehensive assessment of the service organization's controls over time, demonstrating both design and operating effectiveness to stakeholders.

## Evaluation process:

**• SOC 2 Type I:** Involves a review of the design of controls and documentation to determine whether they meet the specified criteria.
**• SOC 2 Type II:** Involves a review of the design and operating effectiveness of controls over a period of time, including testing of the controls in operation.

Overall, the main difference between **[SOC 2 Type 1 vs Type 2](https://www.auditpeak.com/)** reports is the timeframe of evaluation and the depth of assessment. Type I reports provide a snapshot of control design at a specific point in time, while Type II reports provide a more comprehensive assessment of both design and operating effectiveness over a period of time.