If a vendor can’t clearly explain how they protect your data, that’s a problem – and you shouldn’t be in business with them. Here’s why SOC 2 Type II certification is a must.
Key Takeaways:
- What is SOC 2 Type II, and why should you care?
- How does this certification set Attentus Technologies apart?
- What does an SOC 2 Type II certification mean for you as a client?
Do you know how your I.T. provider handles your data behind the scenes?
For SMBs today, trusting a third party with sensitive business data is a risk.
It’s scary to think that most companies outsource their critical infrastructure without any transparency into the provider’s security. Many businesses simply trust that their MSP has it covered—until they get burned.
Consider these statistics: The global average cost of a breach is $4.88 million – a record high – according to IBM’s 2024 Cost of a Data Breach report. And nearly 30% of breaches involve third-party attacks, according to Security Magazine.
If your MSP or vendor gets hacked, you could be next—and it could be pretty expensive.
It’s time to fortify your defenses. You can start by requiring that your vendors complete an audit using a cybersecurity compliance framework like System and Organization Controls 2 (SOC 2).
Here’s what you should know about that process.
What Is SOC 2 Type II (And Why Should You Care?)
Think of SOC 2 Type II as a deep dive audit of your provider’s security over time. In a nutshell, it’s a months-long examination of how rigorously a company follows the five trust-service principles:
- Security
- Availability
- Processing integrity
- Confidentiality
- Privacy
Auditors test everything from access controls and monitoring to incident response. Unlike a SOC 2 Type I report, which is a snapshot of controls at a specific point in time, a Type II report verifies that those controls actually worked for six months or more.
It’s more than a marketing sticker. It’s proof that security is baked into every process.
You wouldn’t hand your house keys to someone without knowing you can trust them. Why trust your data to a provider without a background check or seeing a track record? SOC 2 Type II is exactly that background check. It requires a provider to show months of evidence that they actually follow the rules, not just say they do.
Why This Certification Sets Providers Apart
Despite its importance, SOC 2 Type II is shockingly rare among I.T. providers. GlobeNewswire puts the figure at less than 10% of MSPs worldwide, meaning very few have the discipline and security controls to complete and pass the rigorous, months-long process.
SOC 2 Type II is hard to earn and maintain, so you can be confident that this certification highlights real operational maturity.
For businesses in highly regulated fields like healthcare, law, or finance, having an audited SOC 2 Type II provider means I.T. compliance doesn’t have to be a headache for your organization. You have a trusted partner whose processes already meet high standards.
What This Means for You as a Client
We live and breathe “customer-first” values at Attentus Technologies.
We pursued the SOC 2 Type II certification because our “no excuses” culture demands accountability. We don’t give vague answers if a client asks, “How do we know you’ll keep our data safe?” We provide a copy of our SOC 2 Type II report as a formal stamp on our promise to adhere to the five trust principles.
For you, the real win is peace of mind:
- SOC 2 Type II validates that your MSP’s security program is legitimate, reducing your risk of a surprise breach.
- It confirms there are audited processes in place for things like user access controls, continuous monitoring, and incident response.
- In other words, your provider isn’t just selling security; they’re living it every day.
In practice, that translates to real benefits for your business:
- Your data is protected by audited security practices. You don’t have to trust blindly. An external audit has confirmed the details.
- Your provider can help support your own compliance needs. A strong SOC 2 partner has proven controls that align with regulations (HIPAA, PCI, etc.), which can simplify your I.T. compliance.
- You reduce legal risk and exposure from third-party vendors. Every SOC 2 Type II certified vendor in your supply chain means fewer less weak links.
- You gain confidence that your partner is built for long-term trust. It’s a signal that security is part of the company’s DNA, not just window dressing.
It’s easy to think of SOC 2 Type II as just a checkbox. But in reality, it’s about protecting your business day in and day out.
How We Embed Security Into Everything
At Attentus Technologies, security is top of mind now and always. We are relentlessly proactive, not reactive. This is possible through our stable, experienced team of professionals who secure our system from the inside out. They treat your systems like our own, monitoring and continuously improving them to navigate current and emerging threats confidently.
Our core value is “Make I.T. simple. Own the outcome.” That means we assume responsibility for every aspect of your I.T., including security.
That brings us to a simple test: Ask your current I.T. provider how they protect your data. If they can’t answer confidently (or can’t point to a recent SOC 2 Type II audit), consider what that means for your business.
You deserve a partner who has done the hard work and can prove it.
If that conversation doesn’t give you peace of mind, we’d love to talk. At Attentus Technologies, we’ve gone the extra mile so you don’t have to wonder. Protecting your data is our job – every hour of every day.
Start the conversation to learn more about the Attentus Advantage.
