SOC 2 (Service Organization Control 2)

SOC 2 (Service Organization Control 2) is a compliance framework developed by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) for managing customer data based on five trust service criteria: security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy. SOC 2 certification demonstrates that an organization has implemented effective controls to protect the data it processes on behalf of its customers.

SOC 2 audits are conducted by independent third-party auditors who evaluate an organization's systems, policies, and procedures against the trust service criteria. A SOC 2 Type I report evaluates the design of controls at a specific point in time, while a SOC 2 Type II report evaluates the operating effectiveness of those controls over a period of time, typically 6-12 months.

For healthcare technology companies, SOC 2 compliance complements HIPAA requirements by providing a broader framework for data security and privacy. Organizations evaluating contactless vitals technology should verify SOC 2 compliance as part of their vendor assessment process, ensuring that vital signs data and any associated personal information are protected throughout the data lifecycle.