Compliance is more than a legal necessity; it’s a way to create business value. Complying with frameworks like SOC 2 and ISO 27001 gives your organization the level of security it needs to operate effectively, establishes trust with your customers, and cultivates a culture of security within your business. Read on to learn why earning these certifications goes beyond checking a box to generate business value.
SOC 2 and ISO 27001 defined
Applicable to all industries, SOC 2 and ISO 27001 are two of the most effective cybersecurity frameworks. Pursuing a SOC 2 report or an ISO 27001 certification (or both) can help increase trust with customers, prospects, and partners.
A SOC 2 audit is performed to ensure an organization securely manages their data to protect the privacy of both the organization and its clients. This framework is used in many industries, but it’s particularly useful for software-as-a-service companies and managed service providers.
Our experts recommend proactively completing a SOC 2 audit before a customer asks to see a report. Scheduling an audit and having a report on-hand when a prospect asks for one will prevent you from delaying important deals.
ISO 27001 is used to demonstrate an organization’s commitment to a strong cybersecurity program. This international standard focuses on data confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Earning an ISO 27001 certification showcases your organization’s commitment to data protection. ISO 27001 is most often used by SaaS, cloud computing, and data processing companies.
By building a culture of information security and diligence, organizations can reduce security incidents through implemented controls that are specific to their unique risks. Customers and partners will also feel more at ease entering a deal where the organization they want to work with has proven their dedication to risk management.
The value of SOC 2 and ISO 27001
These frameworks demonstrate your organization’s commitment to security, particularly when combined. But how do they drive business value?
Build trust among customers and partners
Earning your SOC 2 or ISO 27001 certification builds trust among your customers and partners. These stakeholders want to understand the steps your organization takes to process and manage their data to ensure that it’s in good hands.
The best way to demonstrate your company’s dedication to safeguarding their valuable information is through an audit conducted by a third party. Successfully completing an audit with an outside vendor shows that your organization cares to protect its customers’ data and that your processes match this commitment.
Mitigate risk
Cybersecurity breaches are costly – averaging $4.9M in 2024, according to IBM. Plus, depending on the industry, your organization could be spending even more money to make up for a data breach.
SOC 2 and ISO 27001 help mitigate this risk by defining responsibilities and demonstrating that your organization has sophisticated, mature cybersecurity and privacy practices. Plus, a data breach doesn’t just cost money, it can cost you your reputation as a quality company. Prevent a potential cybersecurity incident by protecting your customers’ data now, before it’s too late.
Beyond SOC 2
Once seen as a strong competitive advantage, earning your SOC 2 certification is now seen as the cost of doing business. It’s a no-brainer to implement this framework that will just get you started on your compliance journey. In fact, 92% of organizations are now conducting at least two audits or assessments per year according to the 2025 Compliance Benchmark Report. This demonstrates that companies are going beyond SOC 2 in today’s regulatory landscape and pursuing additional frameworks like ISO 27001, SOC 1, HIPAA and more to show their commitment to security as an organization. ISO 27001 appears to be taking center stage for the next most important framework with ISO 27001 certifications increasing by more than 20% year over year across all companies surveyed in the 2025 Compliance Benchmark Report.
Having a SOC 2 report is the bare minimum in compliance. As organizations increasingly depend on third-party providers to handle sensitive information, having a SOC 2 report is a fundamental benchmark.
Erika Fry, Director of IT Security, Boomi
Why A-LIGN
If you’re ready to take the next step, contact A-LIGN today to begin your journey to SOC 2 or ISO 27001 compliance. A-LIGN’s commitment to a high-quality compliance strategy is demonstrated by:
- 17.5k+ SOC assessments completed
- 4K+ ISO assessments completed
- #1 SOC 2 issuer in the world
A-LIGN is the leading provider of high-quality, efficient cybersecurity compliance programs. Combining experienced auditors and audit management technology, A-LIGN provides the widest breadth and depth of services including SOC 2, ISO 27001, HITRUST, FedRAMP, and PCI. A-LIGN is the number one issuer of SOC 2 and a leading HITRUST and FedRAMP assessor.
