business Why SOC 2 Isn’t Just for Technology Companies: Which Businesses Can Benefit? September 29, 2026 SOC 2 is only for software and technology companies, right? No, other companies can benefit, too. Explore how organizations across industries can use SOC 2 examinations to demonstrate that they have effective controls for protecting sensitive information. Quick Takeaways SOC 2 isn’t just for software and technology companies.Organizations that handle sensitive information may benefit from a SOC 2 examination.Customers and business partners may request a SOC 2 report as part of their due diligence.A SOC 2 examination can help organizations identify control gaps and demonstrate their commitment to security. Why it Matters “When you hear “SOC 2,” you may immediately think of software companies, cloud platforms, or other technology businesses. But SOC 2 is not limited to the tech industry. Any organization that stores, processes, or has access to sensitive customer or business information may need to demonstrate that it has appropriate controls in place to protect that information.” - Dan Andrea For some businesses, a SOC 2 report can be an important way to build trust with customers, satisfy vendor requirements, and stand out from competitors.What is a SOC 2 examination?A SOC 2 examination evaluates an organization’s controls related to the Trust Services Criteria established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). These criteria include security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality and privacy.Not every organization needs to address all five criteria. The scope of a SOC 2 examination depends on the organization’s services, risks, and the needs of its customers and other stakeholders. The goal is to provide an independent assessment of whether an organization has controls designed and implemented to address relevant risks.Who can benefit from SOC 2?Technology and SaaS Companies- Technology companies are perhaps the most common organizations associated with SOC 2. SaaS providers, cloud service providers, data platforms, and other technology companies often handle significant amounts of customer data. A SOC 2 report can help these organizations demonstrate to current and prospective customers that appropriate controls are in place. But technology companies are far from the only organizations that can benefit.Professional services firms- Accounting firms, consulting firms, law firms, marketing agencies, and other professional services organizations may have access to confidential client information. For these organizations, demonstrating strong controls around security, confidentiality, and privacy can help strengthen client relationships and address security requirements during the vendor selection process.Financial services organizations- Banks, wealth management firms, investment firms, insurance companies, and other financial services organizations routinely handle highly sensitive financial and personal information. A SOC 2 examination can provide customers and business partners with additional insight into how an organization manages information security and related risks.Healthcare organizations and service providers- Healthcare organizations and companies that support the healthcare industry may handle very sensitive patient and business information. Depending on the organization and its services, a SOC 2 examination can help demonstrate controls related to security, confidentiality, privacy, and availability. SOC 2 does not replace other regulatory or compliance requirements, but it can be one component of a broader risk management program.Business process and outsourcing providers- Organizations that provide payroll, human resources, customer support, data processing, or other outsourced services often have access to sensitive information on behalf of their customers. Because their customers are relying on them to protect that information, demonstrating effective controls can become an important part of the business relationship.Why would a customer ask for a SOC 2 report?For many organizations, the decision to pursue SOC 2 isn't driven solely by internal security goals. It may come from a customer or prospective customer. As companies become more focused on third-party risk, they are paying closer attention to the vendors and service providers that have access to their data.A prospective customer may ask:How do you protect our data?Who has access to our information?How do you manage cybersecurity risks?What happens if there is a security incident?Do you regularly test your controls?Can an independent party validate your controls?A SOC 2 report can help answer these questions by providing information about an organization’s control environment and the results of an independent examination. In some cases, having a SOC 2 report may even be a prerequisite for doing business with a prospective customer.When should an organization consider SOC 2?There isn't one point at which every organization suddenly “needs” a SOC 2 examination.Instead, organizations should consider factors such as:Customer requirements: Are current or prospective customers asking for a SOC 2 report?Type of information handled: Does the organization store, process, or have access to sensitive customer or business information?Third-party risk: Do customers rely on the organization to protect information or perform important business processes?Growth plans: Could a SOC 2 report help the organization meet security requirements as it pursues larger customers or new markets?Existing controls: Does the organization already have security and governance processes that could be evaluated and strengthened through a SOC 2 examination?Is SOC 2 right for your organization?SOC 2 may not be necessary for every organization, but if your business handles sensitive information, provides services to other businesses, or increasingly encounters customer security requirements, it's worth considering whether a SOC 2 examination makes sense.The right approach starts with understanding your customers' expectations, the information your organization handles, and the risks associated with your services.
