What is SOC 2 & Why is it important?

‍

SOC 2 or Service Organization Controls 2 is a framework that is governed by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). With a SOC 2 audit, an independent service auditor will review an organization’s policies, procedures, and evidence to determine if their controls are designed and operating effectively. A SOC 2 report communicates a company’s commitment to data security and protection of customer information.  

‍

Improving your security posture 

SOC 2 compliance exemplifies an organization’s commitment to their customer’s trust and is a major milestone towards improving their overall security posture. With increasing cybersecurity threats and data breaches, it is paramount that organizations prioritize information security and the protection of their systems and data. By undergoing a SOC 2 audit, our controls and processes were validated by a third-party who attests to the functioning of the controls relevant to our application. 

‍

Why we pursued SOC 2 now

‍

SOC 2 compliance is an integral step in proving to customers, stakeholders, and interested parties that our organization values their trust and has effectively implemented security controls. At our company’s stage, we realized that it was an ideal time to pursue this as it is important to protect data and mitigate potential security risks early and on an ongoing basis. 

‍

As a seed-stage company prioritizing customer trust from the start, pursuing SOC 2 compliance was a natural step for us. We received our SOC 2 Type 2 report on March 11, 2024, reinforcing our commitment to data security and regulatory adherence. This achievement aligns with our goal to continuously enhance our security posture, ensuring the confidentiality and integrity of customer data. Our systems undergo annual independent audits, demonstrating our ongoing dedication to the highest security standards and our promise to maintain this level of trust and security in the years to come.

‍

Respell’s journey to SOC 2 compliance

‍

Compliance Partners  

‍

• Vanta 

We partnered with Vanta, the leader in the Trust Management space, to help us automate the collection of our audit evidence. Vanta provides us with the strongest security foundation to protect our customer data.

• Advantage Partners 

Our audit firm, Advantage Partners, was extremely helpful in creating a seamless audit experience. With their guidance and support, we were able to achieve SOC 2 compliance in a swift, efficient manner. 

‍

Process 

While SOC 2 can be a big undertaking, our compliance partners streamlined the process. We leveraged Vanta to integrate our key systems and guide us in implementing policies and procedures to quickly become audit ready. Vanta gave us the direction we needed to pursue our compliance journey. 

‍

Advantage Partners then confirmed our audit readiness and we kicked off our Type II audit. For the audit, Advantage evaluated the controls we have in place and opined on their state. Shortly after our audit window ended, Advantage Partners drafted and issued our report. 

‍

Timeline 

One key takeaway is understanding that improving our security posture and achieving compliance is a monumental task. The readiness period can take the most time but we were able to make compliance a priority to get audit ready in a matter of weeks versus months. 

‍

We also found it important to review the audit timeline with Advantage Partners, set an ideal audit date, and then work backwards to be ready in time. However, now that controls are implemented and security is a priority for our team, subsequent SOC 2 audits will be even more seamless. 

‍

Lessons we learned 

‍

1. Security posture will be a defining characteristic for AI Automation

Since launching late last year, Respell has worked with thousands of users, affirming our commitment to safeguarding user data from Large Language Models (LLMs). This commitment necessitates compliance with standards like SOC 2 and HIPAA and providing customers with tools for roles and permissions on certain models, prompt prevention protection, and more. Ultimately, AI automation tools like Respell must serve as secure intermediaries that overlay LLMs for internal automation and productivity without risking the exposure of core company IP to training data for future models.

‍

2. Start the process early 

Starting our security journey early has been a key lesson for us, emphasizing that policies and secure procedures are more effectively implemented from the beginning. This approach not only simplifies integration but is also crucial for establishing a robust security program. Early adoption allows for the foundational building of secure infrastructure, ensuring that security measures grow organically with the company, rather than being retrofitted under pressure or as an afterthought.

‍

3. Improving security and achieving compliance can help scale your business 

Achieving SOC 2 compliance is not just about enhancing security; it's a strategic move that can scale your business. We've observed that vendor security reviews are increasingly becoming a staple in sales cycles, and having SOC 2 certification can significantly unblock business opportunities. Furthermore, by mitigating risks early, we not only protect our business but also earn the trust of our prospects and customers. This proactive approach to security and compliance has proven to be a cornerstone in building a robust and scalable business model.

‍

Your innovative journey with AI deserves a partner like Respell, committed to safeguarding your data and protecting you from risks. With Respell, you unlock the magic of AI in your work life, effortlessly. Contact us to get a Demo of Respell by filling out this form.

‍

To read our full SOC 2 report you can check it out here.

‍