SOC 2 Compliance Without the Six-Figure Consulting Bill
Financial services firms face mounting regulatory pressure and client expectations around cybersecurity. Vigil automates the compliance work so you can focus on managing money, not managing auditors.
Assess Your Compliance — Free Security ScanThe Regulatory Landscape Is Getting Stricter
Whether you are a financial advisor, fintech startup, or accounting firm, cybersecurity requirements are no longer optional. Regulators, clients, and insurance carriers all expect documented security programs.
Financial Advisors & RIAs
The SEC has intensified cybersecurity examinations. Regulation S-P requires written policies for protecting client information. Proposed rules would mandate incident reporting and documented cybersecurity risk management programs.
Fintech Companies
Enterprise clients and financial institution partners increasingly require SOC 2 reports before signing contracts. Without SOC 2 compliance, deals stall and revenue is left on the table. It has become a cost of doing business.
Accounting Firms
CPA firms handle some of the most sensitive financial data that exists: tax returns, financial statements, and audit workpapers. The AICPA expects firms to maintain robust information security programs, and client expectations follow.
What SOC 2 Actually Requires
SOC 2 is built around Trust Service Criteria. Understanding them demystifies what can feel like an overwhelming process.
Security Required
Protection against unauthorized access. This covers firewalls, access controls, encryption, intrusion detection, and incident response. Security is the foundation that every SOC 2 report must include.
Availability
Systems are available for operation and use as committed. This covers uptime monitoring, disaster recovery, business continuity planning, and performance monitoring. Critical for client-facing financial platforms.
Confidentiality
Information designated as confidential is protected as committed. This covers data classification, encryption in transit and at rest, access restrictions, and secure disposal. Essential for firms handling client financial data.
SOC 2 also includes Processing Integrity and Privacy criteria. Most financial services firms start with Security, Availability, and Confidentiality, then add criteria as their program matures.
How Vigil Maps Controls and Tracks Evidence
Vigil translates SOC 2 requirements into concrete, trackable actions and maintains the evidence trail your auditors will need.
Automated Control Mapping
Vigil scans your infrastructure and maps findings directly to SOC 2 Trust Service Criteria. See which controls you meet, which have gaps, and what specific changes will close those gaps. No spreadsheet required.
Evidence Collection
Every scan result, policy document, and configuration check becomes audit evidence. Vigil timestamps and organizes everything so when your auditor asks for proof, you have it ready in one place.
Gap Analysis Dashboard
A clear dashboard shows your compliance status across all applicable Trust Service Criteria. Prioritized remediation steps tell you exactly what to fix next and why it matters for your SOC 2 readiness.
Continuous Monitoring
SOC 2 Type II requires demonstrating controls over time, not just at a point in time. Vigil continuously monitors your security posture and documents the ongoing evidence your auditor needs to see.
Support Your Cyber Insurance Application
Cyber insurance carriers are getting more selective. They want evidence that you actually have security controls in place, not just a promise on an application form.
What Carriers Look For
- ✓ Email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC)
- ✓ Multi-factor authentication
- ✓ Encryption in transit and at rest
- ✓ Incident response plan
- ✓ Regular security assessments
What Vigil Provides
- ✓ Documented scan reports with technical findings
- ✓ Compliance framework mapping evidence
- ✓ Historical security posture trends
- ✓ AI-generated security policies
- ✓ Risk register with remediation tracking
Recommended for Financial Services
Financial services firms typically start with the Compliance tier ($799/mo), which includes SOC 2 framework tracking, evidence collection, risk register management, policy generation, and continuous security monitoring.
Firms needing executive-level security strategy and full vCISO services can explore the vCISO tier ($2,500/mo) for AI-powered roadmaps, board-ready reports, and dedicated security guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my financial services firm need SOC 2 compliance?
If your firm handles client financial data, processes transactions, or provides SaaS to other financial institutions, SOC 2 compliance is increasingly expected. Even if not legally required, many enterprise clients and partners now require SOC 2 reports before doing business. For RIAs, the SEC has increased cybersecurity examination focus, making SOC 2 alignment a practical way to demonstrate due diligence.
What are the SOC 2 Trust Service Criteria?
SOC 2 is built on five Trust Service Criteria: Security (required for all SOC 2 reports), Availability (system uptime and recovery), Processing Integrity (accurate and complete processing), Confidentiality (protection of sensitive data), and Privacy (personal information handling). Most financial services firms focus on Security, Availability, and Confidentiality for their initial SOC 2 report.
How long does SOC 2 compliance take with Vigil?
SOC 2 readiness timelines vary based on your current security maturity. Vigil accelerates the process by automatically mapping your existing controls to SOC 2 criteria, identifying gaps, and providing specific remediation steps. Most firms using Vigil can reach SOC 2 readiness in 3 to 6 months, compared to 6 to 12 months with traditional consulting. Note that the SOC 2 audit itself must be performed by a licensed CPA firm.
Can Vigil scan reports help with cyber insurance applications?
Yes. Vigil security scan reports document your security posture with specific technical findings, remediation status, and compliance mapping. Many cyber insurance carriers look for evidence of email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), encryption, access controls, and security monitoring. Vigil reports provide this documentation in a format that supports insurance applications and renewals.
What regulations apply to financial advisors and RIAs?
Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs) fall under SEC Regulation S-P (privacy of consumer financial information), Regulation S-ID (identity theft red flags), and increasingly the SEC's proposed cybersecurity risk management rules. State regulators may impose additional requirements. SOC 2 compliance addresses many of these requirements through its Trust Service Criteria framework.
Assess Your Compliance Readiness
A free security scan shows you where your firm stands on the technical controls that regulators, auditors, and insurance carriers look for. Under 60 seconds, no credit card required.
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