Unlocking Peace of Mind: Understanding SOC 2 & ISO Certifications and What it Means for You and Your Company

In an era defined by digital transformation and the ever-increasing importance of data security, achieving peace of mind is paramount. As AEC firms navigate the complex landscape of cybersecurity threats and regulatory compliance, certifications such as SOC 2 and ISO provide a beacon of assurance and help to fortify an organization's security posture.

This independent audit verifies the effectiveness of an organization’s security controls and processes, signifying that they take data security seriously and have the procedures in place to keep your company’s data and information safe. In the following sections, we'll delve deeper into the details of the SOC 2 certification and how it directly benefits you and your company.

Understanding SOC2 and its Importance

SOC2, short for Service Organization Control 2, is a set of standards developed by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) to assess the security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality and privacy of customer data. It focuses specifically on organizations that store customer data in the cloud or provide cloud-based services.

SOC2 certification is crucial as it assures customers that a company prioritizes data security and implements robust measures to protect their information.  In an era where cloud-based services are increasingly common, and data breaches a constant threat, this certification is a testament that the company has met stringent criteria required to keep your data safe.

The Certification Process

The road to SOC2 certification is not an expressway. This rigorous process involves an in-depth audit conducted by an independent, third-party assessor. Think of them as expert inspectors, meticulously evaluating systems, policies, and procedures against the standards set by the AICPA.

What does this entail? The audit typically involves a deep dive into answering the following questions:

- Security Controls: Are systems and data adequately protected against unauthorized access?

- Risk Management: Is there a comprehensive strategy to identify, assess, and mitigate potential security risks?

- Compliance: Do practices adhere to relevant data security regulations and industry best practices?

What these certifications mean for you and your company

Trust & Confidence: By achieving SOC2 certification, we have solidified our position as a trusted partner in data security. Our customers can rest assured knowing that their sensitive information is in safe hands, and that we will continue to prioritize their security above all else.

Increased Transparency: We are committed to maintaining transparency in our data security practices. We can provide our SOC2 report upon request for review. We have also setup a trust center at trust.joist.ai that details our practices and can be used to request access to our security reports.

Enhanced Security: Most importantly, SOC 2 compliance translates to robust security controls designed to protect your data. This includes,

Strict Access Controls: We implement strict measures to ensure that only authorized personnel can access your data. Multi-factor authentication, role-based access controls, and user activity monitoring are just some of the tools we employ.

Data Encryption: Your data is encrypted at rest and in transit, adding an extra layer of protection against unauthorized access.

Regular Security Testing: We take a proactive approach by regularly conducting vulnerability scans, penetration testing, and incident response drills. This continuous assessment and improvement process helps us identify and address potential weaknesses before they can be exploited.

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In conclusion, understanding SOC 2 and ISO certifications is not merely about compliance; it's about instilling confidence and peace of mind. These certifications serve as a testament to an organization's commitment to safeguarding data, and the reason we’re pleased to announce the award of both certifications and the launch our online Trust Center. These security milestones help validate Joist AI’s commitment to protecting the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of our client’s information. Your confidence in our ability to safeguard your data motivates us to continually raise the bar and strive for excellence in all aspects of our security practices.

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For more details about Joist AI’s recently awarded SOC 2 & ISO security certifications, please click here.

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