Readiness Checklists | Expert Insights

SOC 2 Readiness Checklist

Focuses on Security, Availability, and confidentiality common criteria.

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is enforced for all production, source code, and cloud environment access.
Strong password policies are defined and enforced (minimum length, complexity, lockouts).
Periodic access reviews (at least quarterly) are conducted to audit and remove stale or unauthorized accounts.
Unique user accounts are assigned to all personnel; shared accounts are prohibited in production.

All code changes require peer review and approval before merging to the main branch.
Automated testing and vulnerability scanning are integrated into the deployment pipeline.
Change approval and deployment logs are preserved for all production updates.
Access to write to production branches is restricted to authorized build accounts.

System health, performance metrics, and application logs are continuously monitored.
Centralized logging is enabled, and log deletion/modification permissions are restricted.
Automated vulnerability scans are scheduled and run monthly for all external-facing infrastructure.
Daily backups of critical data are automated, encrypted, and stored in offsite/isolated environments.
Database backup recovery tests are performed and documented at least annually.

Background checks are conducted and documented for all new hires and contractors.
Confidentiality, non-disclosure, and acceptable use agreements are signed by all personnel.
Security awareness training is completed by all employees upon hire and annually thereafter.
Information Security Policy suite is reviewed and approved by management annually.

Formal organizational risk assessment is performed and documented annually.
Incident Response Plan is documented and tested annually (e.g., via tabletop exercises).
Production incident tracking log is established to record, investigate, and close all security events.
Vendor risk management assessments are performed for all critical sub-service providers.

Focuses on internal controls over financial reporting (ICFR).

Structured controls are in place to verify the completeness and accuracy of input transactions.
Batch processing runs are reconciled daily, and error logs are reviewed and resolved.
Transaction processing logs and audit trails are preserved and restricted from modification.
Exception reports are generated and reviewed regularly by authorized managers.

Billing system inputs are reconciled weekly against signed customer contracts and order forms.
Pricing models and custom discounts require written manager approval before implementation.
Credit memos, adjustments, and refunds require dual authorization from accounting.
General ledger entries are reconciled monthly with bank statements and subsidiary ledgers.

Personnel responsible for initiating transactions are restricted from approving those transactions.
Access to modify bank routing details, vendor accounts, and payroll files is restricted to authorized accounting leads.
Programmers are restricted from accessing financial production data and initiating billing entries.
Periodic segregation of duties reviews are conducted to verify access boundaries.

Access to the general ledger and billing systems is restricted to authorized financial personnel.
Database backups of financial data are executed daily, encrypted, and stored offsite.
Database recovery testing for financial records is completed and documented annually.
Access logs for financial servers and databases are monitored for unauthorized administrative logins.