Privacy

Privacy is another one of the five Trust Service Criteria (TSC) used in SOC2 audits to evaluate an organization's controls related to safeguarding the privacy of its data. The TSC require an organization to implement measures to protect the privacy of personal information in accordance with its privacy notice and other applicable regulations and laws.

The privacy principle includes the following criteria:

  • Control Environment: This criterion requires an organization to establish and maintain an environment that supports the achievement of its objectives related to privacy. This includes setting the tone at the top, establishing a code of conduct, and ensuring that policies and procedures are in place to manage privacy risks.
  • Risk Assessment: This criterion requires an organization to identify, assess, and manage risks related to the privacy of personal information. This includes identifying the personal information that requires protection, assessing the likelihood and impact of potential privacy breaches, and implementing appropriate controls to mitigate risks.
  • Privacy: This criterion requires an organization to implement controls to ensure that personal information is protected from unauthorized access, disclosure, and use. This includes implementing access controls, encryption, and monitoring of personal information access.
  • Consent: This criterion requires an organization to obtain and document the necessary consent for the collection, use, and disclosure of personal information. This includes providing clear and concise privacy notices and obtaining explicit consent for sensitive personal information.
  • Individual Rights: This criterion requires an organization to provide individuals with certain rights related to their personal information, such as the right to access and correct their personal information, and to request its deletion. This includes implementing appropriate procedures for handling individual requests related to their personal information.

    Overall, an organization must demonstrate that it has appropriate privacy controls in place to protect the privacy of personal information in accordance with its privacy notice and other applicable regulations and laws. The SOC2 audit report provides assurance to stakeholders that the organization has implemented these controls effectively.