As more businesses adopt cloud services and prioritize data security, SOC 2 compliance has become a rapidly growing baseline requirement for conducting business, particularly in industries such as technology, finance, and healthcare. Managed service providers (MSPs) are increasingly being asked to guide clients through this complex process. However, without the right tools or framework, helping customers achieve SOC 2 compliance can be a time-consuming and resource-intensive undertaking.
Fortunately, there’s a more efficient way. With the right approach—and the right platform—MSPs can streamline the SOC 2 journey for their clients, while also growing their service offerings and boosting revenue. This guide walks you through the SOC 2 process step-by-step, highlighting how compliance automation platforms can support MSPs at every stage.
Step 1: Understand what SOC 2 is and why it matters
SOC 2 (System and Organization Controls 2) is a compliance framework developed by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). It evaluates how organizations manage customer data across five Trust Services Criteria: security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy.
For MSPs, supporting SOC 2 is a strategic opportunity:
- Builds trust with clients and prospects.
- Opens doors to new verticals (SaaS, fintech, healthcare).
- Enhances your portfolio with recurring, high-value services.
Step 2: Educate clients on the SOC 2 journey
The SOC 2 process typically includes:
- Gap analysis: identifying where security or documentation falls short.
- Policy development: creating policies and procedures that align with SOC 2 requirements.
- Technical controls: Implementing appropriate IT safeguards (e.g., multi-factor authentication, logging, backup).
- Evidence collection: documenting controls and activities across teams.
- Audit readiness: preparing for third-party assessment.
This can be overwhelming for clients. As an MSP, your job is to demystify the process, break it into phases, and provide the hands-on guidance they need to stay on track.
Step 3: Leverage the right tools to scale impact
Supporting multiple customers through SOC 2 compliance manually can quickly overwhelm your team and limit the number of clients you can serve effectively. The key to scaling your compliance services is having a platform that automates and streamlines the process from end to end.
Look for solutions that offer:
- Audit-readiness workflows: customizable checklists, templates, and timelines to help you guide clients through each step of the SOC 2 process.
- Built-in policy library: pre-vetted policies you can adapt to each client’s needs without starting from scratch.
- Real-time evidence collection: automated integrations with cloud systems to collect proof of controls in action.
- Integrated auditors: access to an experienced audit team that is embedded in the platform when your clients are ready to go through certification.
- Continuous compliance monitoring: alerting and tracking features that help you maintain SOC 2 readiness between audits.
With the right platform, you can standardize your approach, expand your client base, and deliver more value—without needing to scale headcount at the same pace..
Step 4: Maintain SOC 2 as an ongoing service
Achieving SOC 2 is just the beginning. Clients must maintain compliance year-round, which opens the door for MSPs to deliver ongoing value through:
- Monthly check-ins and compliance monitoring.
- Security tooling and remediation.
- Reporting and readiness for re-audits.
Turn compliance into your MSP advantage
By positioning yourself as a compliance partner—not just a technology provider—you establish stronger relationships and become a trusted advisor for long-term security and compliance strategies.
SOC 2 doesn’t have to be a heavy lift. With a structured approach and the right partner, MSPs can confidently guide their clients toward compliance and set themselves apart in a crowded market.
Curious how to better support your customers on their path to SOC 2? Visit Thoropass to explore our Service Partner Program—built to help MSPs deliver scalable, efficient compliance solutions with confidence.
Photo: PRASUWAN / Shutterstock
This post originally appeared on Smarter MSP.