Both prove you take security seriously, and both rely on continuous evidence — but SOC 2 and ISO 27001 differ in what they are, who asks for them, and how you achieve them. Here's how to choose.
The core difference
SOC 2 is an attestation report written by a CPA firm about how well your controls meet the AICPA Trust Services Criteria. ISO 27001 is a certification issued by an accredited body confirming you operate an Information Security Management System (ISMS) to an international standard.
| SOC 2 | ISO 27001 | |
|---|---|---|
| Form | Attestation report | Certification |
| Issued by | Licensed CPA firm | Accredited certification body |
| Recognition | Strong in North America | Global / international |
| Structure | Trust Services Criteria | ISMS + Annex A controls |
| Renewal | Annual report | Cert (3 yrs) + annual surveillance |
When to choose SOC 2
- Your customers are mostly in the US and are asking specifically for "your SOC 2."
- You're a SaaS company and want the fastest path to unblock security reviews.
- You want a report that describes your controls in detail for a prospect's security team.
When to choose ISO 27001
- You sell into Europe or globally, or into tenders that name ISO 27001.
- You want a formal, internationally recognized certificate.
- You value a documented, continually-improving management system, not just a report.
What they share
Both require continuous evidence, both need a third party to sign off, and both are far easier when evidence collects itself instead of being screenshotted once a year. The choice is about your buyers and geography — not about which is "more secure."
This is general guidance, not legal or audit advice. Certification and attestation are issued by accredited third parties, not by Vallorix.