For cloud-native organizations using AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud (GCP), achieving SOC 2 and ISO 27001 compliance is essential for maintaining trust, security, and global credibility. SOC 2 helps build confidence with clients, especially across North America, while ISO 27001 establishes a comprehensive, internationally recognized Information Security Management System (ISMS).
To succeed efficiently, cloud teams need a unified compliance strategy that addresses the biggest challenge: the Shared Responsibility Model in cloud environments. RSI Assurance, together with its FedRAMP-authorized partner Continuum www.continuumgrc.com delivers an integrated solution that simplifies, automates, and strengthens compliance across both frameworks.
The Strategy: Build Once, Map Twice
The most efficient and cost-effective way for cloud-native organizations to achieve SOC 2 and ISO 27001 compliance is to avoid managing two separate projects. Instead, build a single, unified control environment that meets the requirements of both frameworks simultaneously.
- ISO 27001: The System:
ISO 27001 provides the overarching governance and risk-based framework that defines your organization’s Information Security Management System (ISMS). It establishes the policies, processes, and continuous improvement structure that guide your entire security program. - SOC 2 : The Controls:
SOC 2 focuses on verifying the operational effectiveness of your technical and procedural controls within that ISMS. These are evaluated against the Trust Services Criteria (TSC) , with Security being the only mandatory principle. - Unified Mapping:
Develop a single control library and map the SOC 2 Trust Services Criteria directly to ISO 27001 Annex A controls. Always align with the stricter requirement when standards differ, for instance, perform quarterly reviews if ISO 27001 requires them, even when SOC 2 only mandates annual assessments.
This “build once, map twice” approach ensures alignment, reduces audit fatigue, and creates a sustainable path to maintaining ongoing compliance.
The Cloud Challenge: Understanding Shared Responsibility
For cloud-native organizations pursuing SOC 2 and ISO 27001 compliance, it’s critical to understand the Shared Responsibility Model, the division of security duties between the cloud provider and the customer.
- Cloud Provider Responsibility:
Cloud providers such as AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud are responsible for security of the cloud, including the physical data centers, infrastructure, and hypervisor. These providers demonstrate compliance through their own SOC 2 and ISO 27001 certifications, which customers can access via tools like AWS Artifact. - Customer Responsibility:
The customer, typically a SaaS company, manages security in the cloud, covering all applications, data, and configurations deployed on the platform. Key responsibilities include:- Identity and Access Management (IAM): Enforcing least-privilege access and multi-factor authentication (MFA).
- Data Encryption: Protecting sensitive data in transit and at rest.
- Configuration Management: Maintaining compliant configurations for resources like S3 buckets, databases, and network security groups.
Auditors leverage the provider’s reports to confirm control inheritance but still perform independent testing of the customer’s implementation controls. Clear separation of these responsibilities ensures both parties maintain compliance and reduce risk exposure.
The Solution: Automation and Expert Guidance
Achieving and maintaining SOC 2 and ISO 27001 compliance at scale requires both expert advisory services and a powerful automation platform. Together, RSI Assurance and Continuum GRC deliver a seamless, end-to-end compliance solution tailored for cloud-native organizations.
| Service Provider | Role in Compliance | How They Meet Requirements |
| Continuum GRC (The Platform) | Automation, Data, and Centralization | Continuum GRC automates audit workflows, evidence collection, and documentation. It enables real-time monitoring and centralized management across more than 100 frameworks, including SOC 2, ISO 27001, and NIST, acting as a single, authoritative source of truth. |
| RSI Assurance (The Expertise) | Strategy, Policy, and Verification | RSI Assurance provides expert GRC advisory services that strengthen governance structures and internal policies. Its consultants perform comprehensive risk and control mapping, helping organizations focus on real business risks instead of check-the-box compliance. |
This combined approach empowers organizations to manage and monitor their compliance through Continuum GRC’s automation, while ensuring their security program remains strategically sound, auditor-ready, and continuously improving with RSI Assurance’s expert guidance.
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