SOC 3 vs. SOC 2
The examination is the same. The reports differ in detail and in who may read them.
A SOC 2 report is a restricted-use document. It includes every control, each test we performed, and any exceptions. Customer security teams and auditors need that detail to evaluate you as a vendor.
A SOC 3 report is a general-use document. It gives the opinion without the testing detail, so you can distribute it freely. Marketing and sales teams use it on websites, in proposals, and in early buyer conversations.
A SOC 3 covers operating effectiveness over a period, like a SOC 2 Type 2. A Type 1 can not produce a SOC 3.
Most organizations issue both from one examination. The SOC 3 answers the first question from a prospect. The SOC 2 answers the security questionnaire that follows.
Who Uses a SOC 3 Report
Service organizations that want to show security assurance publicly, including:
- SaaS and cloud software providers
- Data centers and hosting providers
- Managed IT and managed security service providers
- Payment and financial technology companies
- Any organization that fields frequent SOC 2 requests from small customers or early-stage prospects
A SOC 3 reduces the number of NDAs and one-off report requests your team handles. Enterprise buyers will still ask for the SOC 2.
SOC 3 Readiness Assessment
A SOC 3 is a public document, so a clean opinion matters even more. The readiness assessment determines whether you get one.
We map your existing controls to the criteria, identify gaps, and give you a remediation list with a timeline and effort estimate. You fix the gaps before the examination begins.
The assessment also sets scope, and scope drives cost more than company size does. If you already hold a current SOC 2 Type 2 with us, the readiness work is done.
Can a SOC 3 replace a SOC 2?
For some buyers, yes. Smaller customers often accept a SOC 3 as sufficient. Enterprise buyers and their auditors generally require the SOC 2 because they need the control and testing detail. However, you’ll need a SOC 2 to get a SOC 3 report anyway, so the question is really a matter of how much information you want to give to customers.
Can we get a SOC 3 without a SOC 2?
Technically yes, but the examination is the same either way, so it is highly unusual.
Can we post our SOC 3 on our website?
Yes. A SOC 3 is a general-use report, and public distribution is its purpose.
Does a SOC 3 show exceptions?
It does not list individual tests or exceptions. It does include our opinion, and a qualified opinion is visible to every reader. Readiness and remediation come first for that reason.
How often do we need a SOC 3 report?
Every year, on the same cycle as your SOC 2.
Can Larson perform both the readiness assessment and the examination?
Yes. We assess your controls and advise on your approach. Independence standards prohibit us from designing or implementing the controls we audit, and we define that boundary during scoping.
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