SOC 2 vs ISO 27001 is one of the most common comparisons when evaluating a backup or cloud vendor’s security. If you’re also weighing providers on price and features, see our cloud backup comparison. Both badges often sit side by side on trust pages, but they verify different things.
Both badges on a pricing page. Different questions answered.
Soc 2 and ISO 27001 are different. While they overlap in some areas, they cover different aspects of security.
SOC 2 and ISO 27001 badges are ubiquitous on vendor trust and security framework pages. Routinely, these badges are side by side as if they are a dual trust framework. It is vital for those evaluating third-party vendor risk to understand the difference and the similarities. I am a Lead Auditor for ISO 27001, and I have participated in the evaluation of SOC 2 trust services frameworks, and I will elaborate on what each evaluates, and what the similarities are.
What SOC 2 Type II actually audits
SOC 2 Type II reports are not traditional audits and therefore, do not result in traditional audits. SOC 2 Type II reports verify the Operating Effectiveness of certain controls over a specified period of time (usually 1 year) and are divided into controls relating to security, availability and confidentiality. SOC 2 Type II reports are more detailed than Type I reports and therefore more valuable. Type I reports simply state whether the control is present. SOC 2 Type II reports are more comprehensive, but more time consuming and, therefore, cost more. Availability controls matter in practice too. A vendor’s real restore time and its habit of database restore testing are exactly the kind of operating controls a Type II report can evidence. The framework itself comes from the AICPA, which is why SOC 2 is most common in US-centric business contexts.
What ISO 27001 certification actually verifies
Achieving ISO 27001 attests that an organization has developed and implements an Information Security Management System (ISMS) integrated into its business processes. It includes the necessary controls to manage risks and address threats. Compared to SOC 2, which is predominantly U.S.-oriented, ISO 27001 is more globally-focused. ISO 27001 certifications are valid for a period of three years, and in accordance with the standard, require annual management system assessments.
SOC 2 vs ISO 27001: Where the Two Overlap and Diverge
They’re not competing standards
Many mature security organizations pursue both, since they serve overlapping but distinct purposes and different customer bases often expect different certifications. Holding one doesn’t mean the other was somehow rejected or failed — it’s more often a reflection of primary market and customer expectations.
SOC 2 vs ISO 27001: Which One Matters More for Your Industry?
When working with US companies, it is usually SOC 2 Type II reports that are requested and understood. If you have a more global business, then the ISO 27001 reports become more relevant. If your industry is more global and you need reports to assist in the vendor selection process, having both reports provides the most benefit. Organizations that hold sensitive records, such as the donor data and case files covered in our guide to backup for nonprofits, often ask for a SOC 2 report first, since funders and partners recognize it.
Questions to ask a vendor about either certification
A badge on a pricing page is a marketing claim. These four questions turn it into something you can actually verify.
- Which certification(s) do you currently hold, and since when? A vendor who has held a certification for years demonstrates sustained practice, not just a recent push to close a sales-blocking gap.
- Can I see the actual report or certificate, not just a marketing badge? A logo on a pricing page proves nothing on its own. A legitimate vendor should be able to share the actual SOC 2 report (typically under NDA) or ISO certificate on request.
- If you only hold one, why that one specifically? The reasoning often reveals more about a vendor’s actual security maturity and target market than the certification itself does.
- When was your most recent audit or surveillance review completed? Certifications lapse or go stale. A SOC 2 report from three years ago with nothing since is a meaningfully weaker signal than a currently active one.
The reasoning matters more than the badge
Once you’ve chosen a vendor, re-check these answers during your quarterly backup audit so certifications don’t quietly go stale. A vendor who can specifically explain why they hold one certification and not the other — tied to their actual customer base and risk profile — is demonstrating real security maturity. A vague or evasive answer to the same question is itself informative.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Is SOC 2 or ISO 27001 objectively better?
No — they measure different things and serve different purposes. SOC 2 Type II demonstrates sustained control effectiveness over time; ISO 27001 demonstrates a comprehensive security management system is in place. Some vendors pursue both because different customers and markets ask for different things.
Q: Should I refuse to work with a vendor who only has one certification?
Not automatically. Many legitimate, secure vendors hold only one, often based on their primary market (US-focused companies lean SOC 2; internationally-focused companies often prioritize ISO 27001). The more useful signal is asking why, and getting a specific, confident answer.
Q: Does Softyz hold either of these certifications?
Reach out to our team directly for our current certification status and to request documentation — this is exactly the kind of question we’d encourage any vendor evaluation to include.
Q: How often do these certifications need to be renewed?
SOC 2 Type II reports typically cover a 6-12 month period and are usually renewed annually to remain current. ISO 27001 certification is typically valid for three years, with annual surveillance audits required to maintain it in that window.
Conclusion
Understanding SOC 2 vs ISO 27001 doesn’t replace questioning a vendor directly, but it lets you judge vendor security claims with far more confidence. However, being able to interpret the meaning behind each of these certifications allows you to more skillfully analyze vendors based on information that is more directly relevant.
Dev Gupta
VP Security & Compliance at Softyz Inc. Dev is CISSP certified and an ISO 27001 Lead Auditor with 12 years in enterprise information security, and has worked directly with both SOC 2 and ISO 27001 frameworks across numerous vendor and audit relationships.