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 →