Both prove information security seriousness — but they are different instruments for different markets. US enterprise buyers ask for SOC 2. European and Indian enterprise buyers ask for ISO 27001.
SOC 2 = US market (CPA attestation report)ISO 27001 = international certificateIndian IT companies often need both
Info Security
SOC 2
An attestation report from a licensed US CPA firm on your controls across AICPA Trust Service Criteria. Type II covers 12-month operating effectiveness.
Info Security
ISO 27001
International Information Security Management System standard (2022). 93 Annex A controls. Certificate issued by NABCB-accredited CBs. Publicly verifiable.
Document type
Attestation report — shared under NDA
Certificate
NABCB-accredited CB — publicly verifiable
Primary market
US enterprise vs European / Indian enterprise
Dimension
SOC 2
ISO 27001
Issued by
Licensed US CPA firm (SSAE 18)
NABCB-accredited CB
Document type
Attestation report — detailed, shared under NDA
Certificate — publicly verifiable in IAF register
Coverage
Type I: point in time. Type II: 12 months
3-year cert + annual surveillance
Scope
Trust Service Criteria chosen
All 93 Annex A controls assessed in SoA
Public registry?
No — NDA required
Yes — IAF global register
Government contracts India
Not standard
Often required for IT contracts
Renewal
Annual (observation restarts)
3-year, annual surveillance
Primary buyer
US enterprise procurement
European, UK, Indian enterprise buyers
Which one do you actually need?
→ Choose SOC 2 if
Your primary market is US enterprise clients
US procurement has specifically asked for SOC 2
You are a SaaS company where SOC 2 is table stakes for US deals
→ Choose ISO 27001 if
Your clients are European, UK, or Indian enterprises
You are bidding on government IT contracts in India
You want a publicly verifiable certificate
You want international recognition beyond the US market
Can you have both?
Yes — and many Indian IT companies serving both markets need both. Building to ISO 27001 as the foundation and adding SOC 2 Type II is the most efficient path.
Clicarity's role-based access and timestamped activity records are concrete access control evidence for both SOC 2 and ISO 27001. Every action attributed to a named user. Project modules accessible only to assigned team members. See how it works →