SOC 2 vs ISO 27001
The differences, where they overlap, and which you actually need.
The short answer
SOC 2 is a US-centric attestation report proving your controls operate; ISO 27001 is a globally recognized certification of an information security management system (ISMS). They overlap heavily — roughly 80% of controls map across — so most teams do SOC 2 first for US buyers, then add ISO 27001 for international and enterprise deals. CATAAM automates both from one control set, so evidence collected for one counts toward the other.
SOC 2 vs ISO 27001, side by side
| SOC 2 | ISO 27001 | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | An attestation report (Type I/II) issued by a CPA firm under AICPA SSAE 18 | A certification issued by an accredited body against the ISO/IEC 27001 standard |
| Primary geography | United States (and US buyers globally) | International — Europe, UK, APAC, enterprise procurement worldwide |
| Output | A report you share under NDA | A certificate (valid 3 years) you can publish |
| Framework basis | 5 Trust Services Criteria (Security required; +Availability/Confidentiality/Processing Integrity/Privacy) | Annex A controls + a risk-based ISMS with mandatory clauses 4–10 |
| Audit cadence | Type II covers a 3–12 month window, renewed annually | Certification audit, then annual surveillance, full recert every 3 years |
| Typical timeline | 6–12 weeks to Type I; 3–12 months of evidence for Type II | 3–6 months to first certification |
| Best for | SaaS selling to US customers who ask "send me your SOC 2" | Companies selling internationally or into security-mature enterprises |
Choose SOC 2 when…
- ✓Most of your buyers are US-based
- ✓A prospect explicitly asked for a SOC 2 report
- ✓You want the fastest path to a recognized security proof
Choose ISO 27001 when…
- ✓You sell into Europe, the UK, or APAC
- ✓Enterprise procurement or tenders require ISO 27001
- ✓You want a publishable certificate, not an NDA-gated report
Do you need both?
Because the control sets overlap so heavily, doing them together is far cheaper than sequentially. CATAAM maps one piece of evidence (e.g. MFA enforced, backups tested, access reviews) to the relevant SOC 2 criteria AND ISO 27001 Annex A controls at once — so a second framework is mostly reuse, not rework.
SOC 2 vs ISO 27001 FAQ
- Is SOC 2 or ISO 27001 better?
- Neither is "better" — they serve different markets. SOC 2 is the default for US SaaS buyers; ISO 27001 is the international standard and is often required in European and enterprise procurement. Many companies end up needing both.
- Can I do SOC 2 and ISO 27001 at the same time?
- Yes, and it is usually the most cost-effective approach because the control sets overlap ~80%. CATAAM lets you collect evidence once and apply it to both frameworks simultaneously.
- Which should a startup get first?
- If your buyers are US-based, start with SOC 2 (often Type I first, then Type II). If you sell internationally or into large enterprises, ISO 27001 may open more doors.
- Does SOC 2 count toward ISO 27001?
- Not formally — they are separate audits — but the underlying controls and evidence overlap heavily, so work done for one dramatically reduces the effort for the other.
One platform for SOC 2 and ISO 27001
Map evidence once, satisfy both — plus built-in breach & attack simulation to prove your controls actually work. From $149/mo.