Do I Need a Compliance Automation Tool to Be Compliant with SOC 2?
In today’s digital-first world, SOC 2 compliance is more than a checkbox—it’s a vital trust signal for businesses managing customer data. If you're beginning your SOC 2 journey, you've likely come across the growing market of compliance automation tools that promise to simplify the process.
But here’s the question: Do you need a compliance automation tool to be SOC 2 compliant?
The short answer: No, it’s not required—but it can be extremely helpful.
This blog breaks down what SOC 2 compliance requires, how automation tools fit in, and whether they’re right for your organization.
What Is SOC 2 Compliance?
SOC 2 (Service Organization Control 2) is an auditing standard developed by the AICPA that evaluates how organizations manage customer data based on five Trust Service Criteria (TSC):
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Security
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Availability
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Processing Integrity
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Confidentiality
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Privacy
Your organization can choose to be audited on one or more of these criteria based on your business model and customer needs.
SOC 2 compliance is validated through independent audits—typically Type I (point-in-time) or Type II (observed over 6–12 months).
What Does It Take to Be SOC 2 Compliant?
To achieve SOC 2 compliance, organizations must implement and maintain effective internal controls such as:
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Access controls (who has access to what data)
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Security policies and procedures
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Risk assessments
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Incident response plans
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Employee training
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Monitoring and alerting systems
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Change management processes
This involves a lot of documentation, ongoing oversight, and consistent operational maturity.
Enter Compliance Automation Tools: What Are They?
Compliance automation tools are platforms designed to streamline, monitor, and manage the SOC 2 compliance process. Popular examples include:
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Vanta
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Drata
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Secureframe
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Tugboat Logic
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Scrut Automation
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AuditBoard
They offer features like:
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Real-time control monitoring
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Automated evidence collection
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Task management
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Policy templates
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Integration with tools like AWS, GCP, Okta, GitHub, etc.
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Readiness assessments
Do You Need a Compliance Automation Tool for SOC 2?
No, It’s Not Mandatory
SOC 2 does not require any specific tool or platform. You can achieve compliance manually by:
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Documenting policies using spreadsheets and docs
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Assigning compliance tasks internally
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Collecting evidence manually (screenshots, logs, etc.)
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Using checklists or project management tools
If you have a skilled IT/security team and your environment is small and manageable, manual compliance is absolutely possible.
But It Can Save You Time and Headaches
While not required, compliance automation tools are often worth the investment—especially for growing teams. Here’s why:
Benefits of Using a SOC 2 Compliance Automation Tool
1. Streamlined Evidence Collection
Collecting evidence manually (logs, screenshots, configs) can be tedious. Tools integrate with your systems to auto-collect and organize this data.
2. Real-Time Control Monitoring
Track compliance in real time. If something breaks (e.g., a misconfigured security setting), the tool can alert you instantly.
3. Audit Readiness
Prepare for audits more confidently. Many tools offer auditor access or audit-specific workflows to ensure you’re meeting AICPA requirements.
4. Centralized Documentation
Store your policies, controls, procedures, and compliance artifacts in one secure place.
5. Policy Templates & Guidance
Tools provide pre-written, auditor-approved templates for security policies and offer guidance tailored to SOC 2 standards.
6. Team Collaboration
Assign tasks, monitor deadlines, and track progress across stakeholders (IT, HR, legal, engineering).
When You Might NOT Need an Automation Tool
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You’re a very small business with limited infrastructure and a simple tech stack.
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You have internal audit and security expertise.
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You’re only pursuing SOC 2 Type I and want a low-cost entry point.
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Your compliance needs are limited, and you’re working with a trusted third-party consultant or auditor.
When a Compliance Tool Makes Sense
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You’re pursuing SOC 2 Type II and need continuous monitoring.
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Your environment includes multiple cloud tools, services, or vendors.
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You have limited internal resources and need to automate repetitive tasks.
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You want to scale compliance (e.g., prepare for ISO 27001, HIPAA, PCI, etc.).
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You want to impress clients with a polished, professional compliance posture.
Cost Consideration: Is It Worth the Money?
Most automation platforms charge $5,000 to $20,000+ annually, depending on company size and integrations.
While that may sound steep, consider:
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Time saved on manual evidence collection
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Reduced audit back-and-forth
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Faster path to compliance (especially for startups)
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Lower risk of missing a control or failing an audit
In many cases, the ROI justifies the spend—especially if SOC 2 is crucial to landing deals.
Final Verdict: Tool or No Tool?
No, a compliance automation tool is not required for SOC 2.
But it can significantly reduce the burden of achieving and maintaining compliance, especially for growing businesses.
If you’re unsure, start with manual processes to understand the scope. Then, assess whether a tool can help you scale, save time, and reduce compliance fatigue.
Conclusion
SOC 2 compliance is achievable without an automation tool—but the journey can be resource-intensive and complex. Automation platforms aren't mandatory, but they offer significant value in terms of time savings, accuracy, and scalability.
As a best practice:
✅ Understand the requirements
✅ Start with a readiness assessment
✅ Evaluate tools based on your environment and goals
Remember: Tools can support compliance, but they don’t guarantee it. You still need people, processes, and governance in place.
Ready to Simplify Your SOC 2 Journey?
Connect with our team for tailored guidance on whether a compliance tool is right for you.
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