If you’re scaling a tech-driven company and starting to hear questions like “Are you ISO certified?” or “Do you have a SOC 2 report?”—you’re not alone.
With cybersecurity and data privacy at the top of every buyer’s checklist, achieving a recognized compliance certification has become a strategic necessity, not just a nice-to-have. But which framework is right for you?
This article breaks down the differences between ISO 27001 and SOC 2, when to choose one over the other, and why some companies go for both.
When to Choose: ISO 27001
Choose ISO 27001 if:
- You’re operating (or planning to operate) internationally, especially in Europe, APAC, or MENA.
- Your clients are large enterprises that value formal certifications.
- You want a structured, long-term Information Security Management System (ISMS).
- You need to show organizational security maturity, not just IT controls.
🔑 ISO 27001 sends a strong message of global readiness and internal discipline.
When to Choose: SOC 2
Choose SOC 2 if:
- You’re a B2B SaaS company targeting U.S.-based clients.
- Your sales team needs to answer security questionnaires quickly.
- You want a narrative-style audit report that explains your control environment.
- You need flexibility to include controls over availability, confidentiality, and privacy.
🔑 SOC 2 is often the “entry ticket” to mid-market and enterprise deals in North America.
When to Choose: Both
Some companies pursue both certifications to meet different regional or client expectations—especially if they:
- Sell globally and need to meet both U.S. and international trust standards.
- Want ISO 27001 for long-term governance and SOC 2 for client-facing sales enablement.
- Are moving upmarket and need to stand out in procurement processes.
At ComplianceRT, we see an increasing number of scaleups using SOC 2 for speed, then layering ISO 27001 for structure.
How to Streamline the Journey
Achieving either (or both) frameworks doesn’t have to be overwhelming. You can reduce the cost, time, and complexity by:
- Automating control testing and documentation
- Centralizing policies, evidence, and risk registers
- Using a shared control set (many controls overlap between SOC 2 and ISO 27001)
- Partnering with legal and audit advisors early in the process
Our platform and services at ComplianceRT help companies map both frameworks, close compliance gaps faster, and get audit-ready with confidence.
- We can help you become FADP compliant!
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