A System and Organization Controls (SOC) 2 examination attests that your organization meets the criteria established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). The Common Criteria used in a SOC 2 examination cover a variety of system controls that ensure that your organization is operating with leading cybersecurity practices. One way to safeguard sensitive data is by implementing physical security controls within data centers, offices, IT equipment, and other entities that house sensitive data. This security spotlight describes how physical security impacts your company’s overall security strategy and SOC 2 journey.
What is Physical Security?
Data centers, company offices, and IT equipment house sensitive data, and it is critical that adequate physical security practices are in place to safeguard this data. Physical security is the protection of individuals, assets, and properties from cybercrime, theft, and other events that could harm an enterprise. Examples of assets that should be protected by physical security controls include hardware, such as servers and workstations. Physical security controls that can help prevent data compromise include the following:
- 24/7 video surveillance
- Access control, such as through assigned key cards or biometrics
- Door access logging
- Alarm systems and intrusion detection
- Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery
- Endpoint device monitoring and tracking
- Risk assessments
Ensuring your organization is also operating with current leading cybersecurity and physical security practices attests to your organization’s commitment to safeguarding sensitive data.
Physical Security and SOC 2
A SOC 2 report evaluates whether your organization has adequate controls in place to mitigate cybersecurity risks. Implementing adequate physical security controls is one of many ways your organization can demonstrate its commitment to cybersecurity. In combination with other controls, physical security ensures your organization is operating with best practices to protect sensitive data.
Helping You Get There…
No matter where you are on your SOC 2 journey, Boulay is dedicated to helping you get there. To learn more about our SOC 2 reporting services, connect with a member of Boulay’s Risk Advisory Team today.