How Long is a SOC 2 Report Valid and How to Maintain It?

Good news: SOC 2 reports are typically valid for 12 months from the audit date. 

Bad news: It doesn’t renew itself…

This begs the question, how do you stay compliant?

In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about SOC 2 report validity, including how to maintain it, the impact of business changes, and client requirements.

First, let’s do a quick refresher: What exactly is a SOC 2 report?

What is a SOC 2 report?

A SOC 2 report is an auditor-verified document that proves your organization can safely handle customer data according to the five Trust Services Criteria: security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy.

SOC 2 reports are (mainly) used by service providers that handle sensitive data on behalf of their clients, such as SaaS companies, cloud service providers, and data centers. 

These reports show that the organization has implemented effective methods to manage and safeguard sensitive data, which is important for building trust with customers and partners.

Did you know?: 75% of SMBs couldn’t continue operating if they were hit with ransomware. Non-compliance with the right security frameworks is not just dangerous, it's deadly.

What are the two types of SOC 2 reports?

SOC 2 reports come in two variations: Type 1 and Type 2.

SOC Type 1 Overview:

A Type 1 report focuses on the design and implementation of an organization’s controls at a specific point in time.

SOC Type 2 Overview:

A Type 2 report provides a more in-depth evaluation, which assesses both the design and effectiveness of controls over an extended period, typically six to 12 months.

Here's how the two stack up:

Note: If you want a more detailed breakdown of what costs are associated with getting SOC 2 compliant, check out our blog: How Much Does a SOC 2 Certification Cost in 2025?

Most companies start with Type 1 reports due to their speed, lower price points, and ease of manageability. 

Once a company has established its controls, it can upgrade to a Type 2 report, for a more thorough demonstration of their data protection practices.

How do you maintain validity in SOC 2 documentation?

To stay relevant and maintain validity, SOC 2 reports require continuous monitoring, updates, and renewals.

This is achieved through:

• Tracking your SOC 2 expiration
• Using bridge letters
• Planning your next audit

Here is how to implement them:

How to track your SOC 2 report expiration

The first step in tracking expiration is to establish a clear renewal schedule. 

Make sure to note the exact date when your current report expires, and set reminders well in advance to start preparing for the renewal process.

Here’s a guide to help you out:

‍

WARNING: Don't wait until the last minute. Late renewals expose your organization to compliance gaps that could jeopardize enterprise deals.

How to use bridge letters between audit periods

Bridge letters confirm the effectiveness of security controls and maintain the validity of SOC 2 reports between audit periods. It covers the gap between the expiration of your current SOC 2 report and the issuance of the new one.

To use a bridge letter effectively, you must request it from your auditor once your SOC 2 report expires but before your next audit is completed. 

The letter confirms that your organization's security, privacy, and operational controls are in place and effective during this period, which reassures clients and partners that your compliance is still intact.

Essential bridge letter components include:

• Last audit date and scope
• Statement of continued compliance
• Documentation of system changes
• Management attestation

These not only reinforce trust with clients but also fulfill contractual requirements until the new audit report is ready.

How to plan your next SOC 2 audit

Start by marking the expiration date of your current SOC 2 report and plan to begin the audit process at least 3 to 4 months before that date. 

It's also important to coordinate with your SOC 2 auditor early to set a clear timeline for the audit, taking availability, scope, and any changes in compliance requirements into account.

Recommended week-by-week preparation timeline:

• Weeks 1-4: Update security policies
• Weeks 5-8: Begin evidence collection
• Weeks 9-12: Complete internal assessment
• Weeks 13-16: Schedule auditor meetings

Stay vigilant. Document changes as they happen.

Sounds like a lot of work? You’re right, it is. This is what it takes to maintain compliance.

However, with EasyAudit, it’s nothing.

EasyAudit's AI monitors your compliance 24/7, automatically flagging any deviations from your security controls.

Schedule a demo to see how our platform cuts compliance monitoring time in half while doubling your security confidence.

What is the impact of business changes on SOC 2 validity?

Business changes can have a significant impact on the validity of your SOC 2 report, since they may affect the effectiveness of your security, privacy, and operational controls. 

Some examples of business changes that can have significant impact: 

• Implementing new software or systems 
• Changing your data storage methods, 
• Modifying your internal security protocols 

If these changes are not properly documented or addressed, your existing SOC 2 report may no longer reflect your current security framework, which could lead to gaps in compliance.

To maintain SOC 2 validity, it’s important to regularly evaluate how business changes might affect your security controls. This might include conducting internal assessments, updating documentation, and preparing for additional testing.

How do you know when system changes require a new audit?

Major system changes affecting security controls trigger the need for a new audit. Simple as that.

Minor updates like routine patches or small feature additions won't disrupt your compliance status. But substantial changes demand action.

Below are examples of system changes and required actions:

How do organizational changes affect report validity?

Organizational changes can significantly affect the validity of your SOC 2 report because they may impact the security, privacy, and operational controls that your report was based on.

Here are some critical changes that demand attention:

• New mergers or acquisitions
• Leadership or staffing changes
• Changes in third-party relationships
• New business units or service offerings

When an organizational change occurs, it’s important to evaluate whether the change affects your SOC 2 controls and thus compliance status or not. 

If so, a new audit may be required to make sure your SOC 2 report remains accurate and valid.

However, minor adjustments like office relocations or routine staff changes rarely trigger the need for reassessment.

How should you address control failures during validity periods?

If a control failure occurs, it’s important to act quickly to assess the issue and implement corrective actions. Here’s how to address control failures effectively:

Step 1: 

Quickly investigate the control failure to determine its cause. This could involve reviewing logs, processes, or workflows to understand why the control failed.

Step 2:

Document the failure in detail. This includes outlining the nature of the failure, the potential impact on compliance, and any corrective actions taken.

Step 3:

Take immediate action to fix it. This may involve fixing technical issues, retraining staff, or updating policies and procedures.

Step 4:

It’s important to inform internal teams, clients, and partners about the control failure and the steps being taken to resolve it.

Step 5:

After addressing the control failure, conduct a risk assessment to evaluate the potential impact on the overall security framework.

Step 6:

If the failure exposes weaknesses in your existing controls, update them to strengthen the overall compliance framework.

OR

If the control failure is significant, or if it directly impacts the validity of your current SOC 2 report, you may need to undergo a re-assessment or an additional audit.

Remember, control failures don't automatically invalidate your report. But your response determines whether they will.

What are the client requirements for SOC 2 reports?

To start, clients typically prefer SOC 2 Type 2 reports because they demonstrate the effectiveness of security controls over a 12-month period.

Clients may also require:

• Coverage of specific Trust Service Criteria (TSC)
• Regular updates and timely reports
• Transparency and documentation
• Bridge letters
• Third-party risk management
• Compliance with legal or regulatory standards

Why do clients need current SOC 2 documentation?

Clients need current SOC 2 documentation to assess and verify that the organizations they do business with are following strong security practices and meeting compliance requirements.

Additional reasons include:

• Liability mitigation
• Risk management
• Efficient vendor management to ensure that all vendors in a supply chain meet the same security standards.
• Trust and credibility, as clients are more likely to choose a vendor that can provide assurance of secure data handling.

How do you handle client requests for updated reports?

The cost of business disruption, productivity losses, revenue losses, and fines is 171% more expensive than the cost of compliance.

That’s why, when clients request updated SOC 2 reports, it’s important to respond quickly and efficiently to maintain trust and demonstrate your organization’s commitment to security, privacy, and compliance.

But sometimes, providing updated SOC 2 reports isn’t always a straightforward task, especially if the report is close to expiration or if your organization is undergoing a new audit.

In these cases, it's important to have a clear plan in place for how to handle such requests and manage the communication between your company and the client. 

Here are a couple options to consider: 

• Issue a bridge letter for the interim
• Provide a fully updated report

How to manage multiple client audit requirements

Managing multiple client audit requirements effectively involves clear communication, prioritization, and organization. 

Now, when we say “clear communication, prioritization, and organization,” what exactly do we mean by that?

Let’s break it down a bit further:

1. Clearly define each client’s audit requirements.
2. Establish deadlines for each client’s audit to ensure timely completion.
3. Rank audit requests based on urgency and complexity.
4. Implement a centralized system or project management tool to track progress and avoid missed deadlines.
5. Use bridge letters to provide interim assurance if the full report is not yet available.
6. Avoid overlapping timelines by consolidating audits or aligning schedules to maximize efficiency.
7. Regularly communicate with clients, providing updates and managing expectations to build trust and satisfaction.

Now, what is the best way to implement everything we have learned today?

Maintain SOC 2 Compliance Effortlessly with EasyAudit

Traditional compliance methods cost companies 1000’s of hours of manual work and $100,000’s in consulting fees. 

EasyAudit cuts that in half by learning about your business’s operations and generating custom security controls. 

Instead of vague templates stating "regular security assessments are performed," you get precise controls like "The Security Team runs weekly vulnerability scans using Nessus, documented in Jira every Monday at 9 AM EST."

Get started with EasyAudit today –– the quickest and most efficient path to compliance.

FAQs

How often should a company renew its SOC 2 report to maintain compliance?

Companies should renew their SOC 2 reports annually. 

This annual renewal is essential to ensure that the organization's controls remain effective and can adapt to changes in the cybersecurity landscape, business operations, or regulatory requirements.

Can a SOC 2 report technically "expire," or is there another consideration for its validity period?

SOC 2 reports are generally valid for 12 months from the date of issuance. While they do not technically "expire," they can become outdated or "stale" if not renewed annually. 

Clients and stakeholders typically expect a new report each year to ensure that the organization's security measures are current and effective.