Organizations often encounter inquiries from (potential) clients about security standards, with questions regarding the distinctions between ISAE 3402 | SOC 1, ISAE 3000 | SOC 2, and ISO 27001 audits. They seek to determine which standard is more suitable for their company and weigh the advantages and disadvantages of ISAE versus ISO 27001. ISAE 3402 | SOC 1 and ISO 27001, in reality, are significantly different standards, with divergent applications. The primary disparities are in the reporting format and the nature of the audit itself.

Notable Benefits:

• Proficiency in risk management
• Enhanced market trust
• Streamlined audit processes
• Improved control measures

ISAE and Security: ISAE 3402 is an attestation performed by an independent certified accountant or firm that assesses System and Organization Controls (SOC) information against defined audit objectives or criteria. In an ISAE 3402 | SOC 1 report, IT general controls (ITGCs) and, consequently, security aspects are included, but the primary focus revolves around financial procedures and controls. On the other hand, an ISAE 3000 | SOC 2 report concentrates on the Trust Service Principles, encompassing security, availability, and privacy. It shares more common ground with ISO 27001. An essential distinction is that ISAE 3402 | SOC 1 and ISAE 3000 | SOC 2 reports are forms of attestation, whereas ISO 27001 is a certification.

ISO 27001: ISO 27001, in contrast, is a risk-based standard designed to establish, implement, and enhance an organization’s security framework or Information Security Management System (ISMS). This security framework adheres to the ISO and IEC standards and is validated by independent certification bodies.

The organization must have the procedures and controls outlined in Annex A of the ISO 27001 framework in place. These procedures and controls effectively mitigate risks, thereby bolstering information security. ISO 27001 provides a comprehensive system for ensuring information security, and all organizations that adopt ISO 27001 should have an information security management system in operation.

Choosing Between ISO 27001 and ISAE 3402 | SOC 1: The landscape has evolved. ISO 27001 has traditionally served as the gold standard for information security. However, given the ever-evolving information security risks, many organizations now seek a higher level of assurance concerning information security. ISO 27001 prescribes a fixed set of controls, while ISAE 3402 and ISAE 3000 standards are principle-based. This means that the controls cannot be rigidly stipulated but must function effectively. An auditor will qualify the ISAE 3402 | SOC 1 assurance opinion if this is not the case. An ISAE 3402/3000 audit entails a comprehensive examination that centers on the effectiveness of the risk framework in managing risks. If risks are not adequately managed, the ISAE 3402 report will reveal this deficiency. This level of transparency is essential in the evolving global economy and the ever-changing threat landscape.