SOC 2 (System and Organization Control) is a compliance and privacy standard. It governs how businesses manage consumer data and accessibility systems. The goal is to ensure confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The standard targets service firms like cloud providers and SaaS suppliers. It's designed for companies offering web-based services.
SOC 2 is based on the Trust Service Criteria. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants created these principles and procedures. Organizations must complete an independent audit. They need to prove they've taken adequate measures to protect their system and data. Organizations can effectively achieve SOC compliance.
For example:
Your website just got hit with an accessibility lawsuit. Because the vendor you hired to ensure ADA compliance wasn’t SOC 2 Type 2 certified and had proper security measures in place. Now, the user data is also at risk. This is why choosing a SOC 2 Type 2 certified vendor for digital accessibility services isn’t just a smart thing to do; it’s essential.
What is SOC 2 Compliance?
SOC 2 is an auditing methodology designed to evaluate an organization’s controls for
- Security,
- Availability,
- Processing integrity,
- Confidentiality, and
- Privacy.
These five domains are known as the Trust Service Criteria, which comprise the core principle of SOC 2. SOC 2 applies to service vendors who store, handle, or transport sensitive data on behalf of their customers or user entities.
These services include:
- Cloud computing,
- Data storage,
- SaaS,
- IaaS,
- Managed IT services,
- Privacy,
- System stability, and
- Other industry services that value data protection.
In 2024, there were 3,188 ADA website lawsuits filed across the United States, indicating a decrease of 674 cases from 2023. While this represents a decline, it’s far from the end of accessibility concerns.
You may also read: What is ADA Compliance and WCAG?
Meanwhile, the cybersecurity landscape is getting more dangerous by the day. In 2025 alone, the estimated cost of cyberattacks is $13.8 trillion. In such a situation, two different landscapes are to be dealt with simultaneously. Businesses require vendors who handle both accessibility and data security effectively.
Understanding SOC 2 Type 2
It’s a certification that is gained after a rigorous evaluation, which determines that the company providing these services can protect your data. SOC 2 Type 2 audits evaluate the following five key areas as mentioned above.
What makes Type 2 different from Type 1 is the time factor. While Type 1 is a snapshot of controls at a specific moment, Type 2 examines these controls over time, typically 3 to 12 months. It’s like the difference between a staged photo and a documentary film.
Why does SOC 2 Type 2 matter for Digital Accessibility?
When you’re dealing with accessibility compliance, you often share sensitive information about your users. Here, the stakes are incredibly high. The SOC 2 Type 2 certification is crucial for accessibility vendors due to the following reasons:
Data Protection
Digital accessibility audits involve analyzing user behavior, screen reader interactions, and personal information about how people with disabilities use your website. In 2024, 64.4% of SOC 2 reports included confidentiality as an in-scope category, up from 34% in 2023.
Reliability
Accessibility compliance isn’t just a task to set up once and then forget about it. You need vendors who are available when issues arise. The nature of the SOC 2 Type 2 audit is an ongoing process, due to which service vendors have to prove their reliability and consistency over time.
Process Integrity
When the accessibility vendor processes website data to identify compliance issues, you need assurance that their systems work accurately and completely. Inaccurate reporting could create barriers for users with disabilities and lead your business to hefty lawsuits.
Questions that separate the pros from the pretenders
Don't just ask if your vendor has SOC 2 certification. Dig deeper.
- What is actually covered in their audit scope?
Not all certifications are equal. Make sure it includes your services. - How fresh is their certification?
SOC 2 reports expire. If they're showing you something from 2021, run. - Can you see their actual report?
Real vendors share SOC 2 reports under NDAs. Fake ones make excuses. - What happens when things go wrong?
They should have documented incident response plans. - Who did their audit?
The vendor's SOC 2 Type 2 audit should have been conducted by a licensed CPA or an AICPA-accredited CPA firm.
Before making any decisions, use a free accessibility checker to understand your current compliance status. This baseline helps you evaluate what vendors need to fix.
The Ripple Effect
Your vendor choice impacts everyone: your IT team, legal department, customers with disabilities, etc.
Choose wrong, and problems cascade, like security incidents, legal troubles, reputation damage, and customer loss.
Choose right, and benefits multiply, like solid security, legal protection, customer trust, and peace of mind.
Therefore, choose a provider with relevant certificates and practical expertise. This will assist you in reducing risk and enhancing digital accessibility.
Red Flags to Watch For
Some vendors wave around "SOC 2 compliant" like a magic wand. But compliance isn't certification. Here are the warning signs:
- They can't produce an actual SOC 2 report
- Their certification is old
- They only mention Type 1, never Type 2
- They dodge questions about audit scope
- They promise compliance but can't explain their controls
What does this mean for your business?
Every business owner faces this choice. Go cheap and hope for the best. Or invest in proper protection and sleep better at night.
Math is simple. The risks are real. The choice is yours.
Wrapping Up
At the end, it’s not only about business; it’s about people as well. People with disabilities need your website to work. Employees depend on you to make smart choices. Customers trust you with their data.
Don’t wait to learn a lesson the hard way. Choosing a SOC 2 Type 2 vendor is about partnering with a company that understands the importance of protecting data and ensuring accessibility.
Skynet Technologies is one such company that you can trust. As it is trusted by leading companies and government entities worldwide. It offers advanced services and solutions like
- All in One Accessibility widget
- Web Accessibility Audit
- VPAT Report and ACR
- Accessibility Scanning and Monitoring
- App Accessibility Remediation
Make a smart choice today. Because when it comes to accessibility and security, you can't afford to cut costs. Contact us today or email us directly at [email protected].
