SOC 2 vs ISO 27001: Which Should You Choose?
The definitive comparison guide for security certifications. Make the right choice for your business.
SOC 2
Best for: US SaaS companies selling to enterprises
- Required by most US enterprise customers
- Faster to achieve (3-6 months for Type I)
- Flexible - choose which criteria apply
- Cloud-native friendly
ISO 27001
Best for: Global companies, EU/UK markets, regulated industries
- Globally recognized standard
- Required for EU/UK government contracts
- Comprehensive security framework
- 3-year certification validity
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | SOC 2 | ISO 27001 |
|---|---|---|
| Geographic Focus | Primarily US market | Global, especially EU/UK |
| Time to Achieve | 3-6 months (Type I) | 6-12 months |
| Typical Cost | $40K-$150K first year | $50K-$200K first year |
| Audit Frequency | Annual (Type II requires 6-12 month period) | 3-year certification with annual surveillance audits |
| Number of Controls | ~60-80 (varies by criteria selected) | 93 controls (Annex A) |
| Flexibility | Choose applicable criteria | All 93 controls must be addressed |
| Report Sharing | Confidential - shared with customers under NDA | Public certificate, can be displayed |
| Best For | SaaS, cloud services, US enterprise sales | Global operations, EU market, regulated industries |
| Control Overlap | 60-70% overlap - having one makes the other easier | |
When to Choose Each
Choose SOC 2 if you:
- Sell primarily to US enterprise customers
- Are a SaaS or cloud service provider
- Need certification quickly (3-6 months)
- Want flexibility in which criteria to include
- Customers explicitly request SOC 2
Choose ISO 27001 if you:
- Operate globally or target EU/UK markets
- Need government contract eligibility
- Want a comprehensive security framework
- Prefer 3-year certification validity
- Are in a regulated industry (finance, healthcare)
💡 Pro Tip: Get Both
Many companies pursue both certifications because:
- 60-70% control overlap - achieving one makes the other much easier
- Different markets - SOC 2 for US, ISO 27001 for EU/global
- Competitive advantage - dual certification shows serious commitment to security
Recommended approach: Start with SOC 2 Type I (faster), then pursue ISO 27001, then upgrade to SOC 2 Type II.
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