What Is A SOC 2 Bridge Letter?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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A bridge (also known as a gap letter) is

an important document made available by the service organization (your vendor)

to cover a period of time between the reporting period end date of the current SOC report and the release of a new SOC report.

What is a bridge letter SOC?

As the name implies, a bridge letter – also known as a gap letter – is a

letter that bridges the gap between the end date of the review period from your most recently completed SOC report and the date of the bridge letter

.

Do SOC 2 reports have Bridge letters?

While most of you may be aware of

SOC reports

and its application, but for those of you undergoing a SOC Attestation for the first time may be unfamiliar with the term Bridge letter. A Bridge letter which is also popularly known as a gap letter is an important part of the SOC1 and SOC2 examination process.

What is the bridge report?

The Bridge report is

the first of its kind published by any employer in the country

, and includes analysis of recruitment data relating to almost 140,000 candidates. It looks at why applicants from lower socio-economic backgrounds are less likely to apply to the Fast Stream, and less likely to succeed if they do apply.

What is the difference between SOC 1 Type 2 and SOC 2 Type 2?

There are many other similarities between SOC 2 Type I and SOC 2 Type II report, but the key difference is that a SOC 2 Type I report

is an attestation of controls at a service organization at a specific point in time

, whereas a SOC 2 Type II report is an attestation of controls at a service organization over a minimum …

What is a SOC 2 Type 2?

A SOC 2 Type 2 report is

an internal controls report capturing how a company safeguards customer data and how well those controls are operating

. … These reports are issued by independent third party auditors covering the principles of Security, Availability, Confidentiality, and Privacy.

What is a SOC 1 letter?

SOC 1 reports

cover the business process control objectives

and IT general controls that address the risks of your users related to the use of your service. SOC 1s are the correct report if your company provides a service that is relevant to or could impact the financials of your clients.

What is the purpose of a SOC bridge letter?

A bridge letter (also known as a gap letter) is an important document made available

by the service organization (your vendor) to cover a period of time between the reporting period end date of the current SOC report and the release of a new SOC report

.

What is a SOC 1 Type 2 report?

A SOC 1 report is

for service organizations that impact or may impact their clients' financial reporting

. A SOC 2 report is for service organizations that hold, store or process information of their clients, but is not significant to financial reporting (e.g., would not affect their income statement or balance sheet).

What is soc1 and SOC 2 audit?

A SOC 1 report is

designed to address internal controls over financial reporting

while a SOC 2 report addresses a service organization's controls that are relevant to their operations and compliance.

How long is a SOC report valid for?

Because SOC 2 certification is only valid for

12 months

, compliance and attestation really becomes an ongoing process for service organizations that are committed to upholding the Trust Services Criteria.

What is a SOC audit report?

In a nutshell, a SOC report is

issued after a third-party auditor conducts a thorough examination of an organization to verify that

they have an effective system of controls related to security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and/or privacy.

What does SOC II stand for?

Soc 2, pronounced “sock two” and more formally known as

Service Organization Control 2

, reports on various organizational controls related to security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality or privacy.

What is the purpose of SOC 2?

SOC 2 is an auditing procedure that

ensures your service providers securely manage your data to protect the interests of your organization and the privacy of its clients

. For security-conscious businesses, SOC 2 compliance is a minimal requirement when considering a SaaS provider.

Which is better soc1 or SOC 2?


Type 1 reports are

an ideal report for a service organization undergoing their first SOC audit. A Type 2 Report is a review of a service organization's internal controls over a period of time, typically 6 or 12 months and involves a more in-depth review of controls and testing of their operating effectiveness.

Who needs a SOC 2 Type 2 report?

Who Needs a SOC 2 Report?

Service organizations that do not materially impact

the ICFR of their user organizations, but do provide key services to user organizations may need a SOC 2 report.

Juan Martinez
Author
Juan Martinez
Juan Martinez is a journalism professor and experienced writer. With a passion for communication and education, Juan has taught students from all over the world. He is an expert in language and writing, and has written for various blogs and magazines.