Co-founder
Robin is a co-founder of Bastion, bringing extensive experience in compliance automation and security strategy. Previously, he led compliance as a tech lead at Palantir. He helps startups navigate the complexities of SOC 2 and ISO 27001 certification.
Learn Articles by Robin Coste
What is SOC 2?
If you're growing a SaaS business and starting to pursue enterprise customers, you've likely encountered requests for a SOC 2 report. This guide walks through what SOC 2 actually is, when it makes sense for your organization, and how to approach the process thoughtfully.
SOC 2 Trust Services Criteria: A Complete Guide
The Trust Services Criteria (TSC) form the foundation of every SOC 2 audit. Developed by the AICPA, these criteria define the control objectives organizations work toward. Understanding each criterion can help you scope your audit appropriately and implement controls that genuinely support your security posture.
SOC 2 Type 1 vs Type 2: Understanding Your Options
When organizations ask about your SOC 2 compliance, they're typically interested in Type 2. Understanding the difference between the two report types can help you make the right choice for your situation.
SOC 2 Compliance Checklist: Your Complete Guide
This comprehensive checklist covers everything you need to prepare for a successful SOC 2 audit. Use it to track your progress from initial planning through audit completion.
How Long Does SOC 2 Take?
One of the most common questions from organizations considering SOC 2: "What's the timeline, and what does the process involve?"
SOC 2 Costs: Understanding Your Investment
Understanding what SOC 2 actually costs, and what drives the price, can help you plan appropriately and avoid surprises. The investment varies based on several factors, but knowing the components helps you evaluate options effectively.
Who Can Perform a SOC 2 Audit?
Understanding who can conduct your SOC 2 audit and how to choose the right auditor is crucial for a successful compliance journey.
SOC 2 for Startups: A Practical Guide
If you're running a startup and enterprise customers are starting to ask about your SOC 2 report, you're in good company. This guide covers what startups specifically need to know about pursuing SOC 2.
SOC 2 vs ISO 27001: Which One Do You Need?
This is the most common question we get: "Should we do SOC 2 or ISO 27001?"
SOC 1 vs SOC 2 vs SOC 3: Complete Comparison Guide
The "SOC" family of reports can be confusing. This guide explains the differences between SOC 1, SOC 2, and SOC 3, helping you understand which report your organization needs.
Essential SOC 2 Policies: What You Need and Why
Policies are the foundation of your SOC 2 compliance program. They document your organization's commitment to security and define how controls are implemented. This guide covers every policy you need for SOC 2 and how to create them effectively.
SOC 2 Evidence Collection: The Complete Guide
Evidence is the backbone of your SOC 2 audit. Without proper evidence, you can't demonstrate that your controls are designed and operating effectively. This guide covers what evidence you need, how to collect it, and best practices for evidence management.
Maintaining SOC 2 Compliance Year Over Year
Achieving SOC 2 is just the beginning. Maintaining compliance year after year requires ongoing effort, but it doesn't have to be painful. This guide covers how to sustain your SOC 2 program efficiently.
SOC 2 vs HIPAA: Which Does Your Healthcare SaaS Need?
If you're building software that handles health data, you've likely been asked about both SOC 2 and HIPAA. Understanding the difference is crucial. They serve different purposes and one doesn't replace the other.
How to Define Your SOC 2 Audit Scope
Defining the right scope for your SOC 2 audit is one of the most important decisions you'll make in the process. Getting it right helps ensure you demonstrate the security that matters to your customers while avoiding unnecessary complexity and cost.
Understanding Your SOC 2 Report
Once your SOC 2 audit is complete, you'll receive a formal report from your auditor. Understanding what's in this report, and how to interpret it, helps you use it effectively with customers and stakeholders.
SOC 2 Bridge Letters: What They Are and When You Need One
If your SOC 2 report is approaching its anniversary and you're waiting for your next audit to complete, a bridge letter can help maintain continuity with customers. This guide explains what bridge letters are, when to use them, and how to obtain one.
SOC 2 Readiness Assessment: Evaluating Your Starting Point
Before beginning your SOC 2 journey, understanding where you stand today helps set realistic expectations and identify the work ahead. A readiness assessment evaluates your current security posture against SOC 2 requirements.
Common SOC 2 Audit Exceptions and How to Address Them
Even well-prepared organizations sometimes receive exceptions in their SOC 2 reports. Understanding common exceptions, and how to prevent them, helps you approach your audit with confidence.
SOC 2 vs GDPR: Understanding the Overlap and Differences
If your organization operates in Europe or handles data of EU residents, you may need to think about both SOC 2 and GDPR. While they have different origins and purposes, there's meaningful overlap that can help you address both efficiently.
What is ISO 27001?
ISO 27001 is an internationally recognized certification for information security management. Unlike SOC 2 (which produces an audit report), ISO 27001 results in a certificate that demonstrates your organization has implemented a robust Information Security Management System (ISMS).
Who Needs ISO 27001 Certification?
Not every organization needs ISO 27001, but for many, it's becoming essential. This guide helps you determine whether ISO 27001 is right for your business.
5 Key Benefits of ISO 27001 Certification
ISO 27001 certification requires significant investment, but for the right organizations, the returns far exceed the costs. This guide explores the concrete benefits of ISO 27001 and helps you understand the business case.
What is an Information Security Management System (ISMS)?
An Information Security Management System (ISMS) is at the heart of ISO 27001 certification. Understanding what an ISMS is and how to build one is essential for successful certification. This guide explains everything you need to know.
ISO 27001 Requirements: Complete Guide to Clauses 4-10
ISO 27001 is built around mandatory requirements defined in Clauses 4-10. Understanding these requirements is essential for building a compliant ISMS. This guide breaks down each clause and what you need to do.
ISO 27001 Annex A Controls: Complete Guide
ISO 27001:2022 includes 93 security controls in Annex A. Understanding these controls is essential for building your Statement of Applicability and implementing your ISMS. This guide provides a comprehensive overview.
ISO 27001 Compliance Checklist: Your Complete Implementation Guide
Implementing ISO 27001 can seem overwhelming with its comprehensive requirements. This checklist breaks down everything you need to do, organized by implementation phase.
How Much Does ISO 27001 Certification Cost?
Understanding the investment required for ISO 27001 certification helps you plan effectively and set appropriate expectations with stakeholders. This guide breaks down the factors that influence cost and helps you budget for your certification journey.
ISO 27001 Certification Process: Your Complete Roadmap
The ISO 27001 certification process can seem daunting, but with the right approach, it's manageable. This guide provides a complete roadmap from initial planning to certification.
How Long Does ISO 27001 Take?
One advantage of ISO 27001 compared to some other frameworks is that there's no mandatory observation period. Once you've implemented your Information Security Management System, you can proceed to certification.
ISO 27001 Risk Assessment: Complete Process Guide
Risk assessment is at the heart of ISO 27001. It drives your control selection and shapes your entire ISMS. This guide walks you through the complete risk assessment process.
ISO 27001 Statement of Applicability (SoA): Complete Guide
The Statement of Applicability (SoA) is one of the most important documents in your ISMS. It's a key audit artifact and defines which controls you've selected. This guide explains how to create an effective SoA.
ISO 27001 Internal Audits: Requirements and Best Practices
Internal audits are a mandatory requirement for ISO 27001 and essential for maintaining an effective ISMS. This guide explains how to plan, conduct, and get value from your internal audits.
ISO 27001 for Startups: A Practical Guide
ISO 27001 might seem like an enterprise framework, but startups are increasingly pursuing certification. This guide shows how to approach ISO 27001 efficiently as a startup without overbuilding.
Maintaining ISO 27001 Compliance: Year-Over-Year Guide
Getting ISO 27001 certified is just the beginning. Maintaining certification requires ongoing effort, but with the right approach, it becomes part of your normal operations. This guide covers how to sustain your ISMS effectively.
ISO 27001 vs Cyber Essentials: Which UK Certification Do You Need?
Both ISO 27001 and Cyber Essentials are recognized security certifications in the UK, but they serve different purposes. This guide helps you decide which certification (or both) fits your business needs.
ISO 27001 vs SOC 2: Choosing the Right Framework
Both ISO 27001 and SOC 2 demonstrate your organization's commitment to information security, but they serve different purposes and have different strengths. This guide helps you understand which framework (or both) makes sense for your situation.
ISO 27001 vs NIST CSF: Framework Comparison
Both ISO 27001 and the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) provide comprehensive approaches to information security, but they serve different purposes. This guide helps you understand when each framework applies and how they can work together.
ISO 27017 and ISO 27018: Cloud Security Standards
ISO 27017 and ISO 27018 extend ISO 27001 with specific guidance for cloud computing environments. Understanding these standards helps cloud service providers and their customers address cloud-specific security and privacy requirements.
ISO 27701: Privacy Information Management System (PIMS)
ISO 27701 extends ISO 27001 to address privacy management. It provides a framework for implementing a Privacy Information Management System (PIMS), helping organizations demonstrate their commitment to protecting personal data.
ISO 27001 External Audits: What to Expect
External audits are the final step in achieving ISO 27001 certification. Understanding what auditors look for and how the process works helps you prepare effectively and approach audits with confidence.
ISO 27001 Documentation Requirements
Documentation is a fundamental aspect of ISO 27001. Understanding what documentation is required, and why, helps you build an effective ISMS without over-engineering or under-preparing.
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