SOC 2 Vulnerability Scanning Requirements: What You Need to Know

SOC 2 and Vulnerability Management

SOC 2 (System and Organization Controls 2) is a compliance framework that evaluates how organizations protect customer data. For most B2B SaaS companies, SOC 2 compliance is table stakes.

Vulnerability scanning plays a critical role in demonstrating SOC 2 compliance, particularly under the Common Criteria related to risk assessment and system monitoring.

Relevant SOC 2 Trust Service Criteria

CC3.1 - Risk Assessment

Organizations must identify and assess risks that could affect the achievement of objectives. Vulnerability scanning is a primary control for identifying technical risks to your systems.

CC7.1 - System Monitoring

Organizations must detect anomalies and vulnerabilities in a timely manner. Regular vulnerability scanning demonstrates you're actively monitoring for security issues.

CC6.1 - Security Event Detection

Organizations must implement detection mechanisms for security events. Vulnerability scans help identify potential security issues before they become incidents.

What Auditors Expect

When preparing for a SOC 2 audit, auditors will typically look for:

1. Evidence of regular scanning: Documented scan schedules (weekly, monthly, etc.) 2. Scan coverage: Proof that critical systems are being scanned 3. Remediation tracking: Evidence that identified vulnerabilities are being addressed 4. Trend reporting: Visibility into vulnerability counts over time 5. Policies and procedures: Documented vulnerability management processes

Best Practices for SOC 2 Compliance

Establish a Regular Scanning Cadence

• External scans: At least monthly, ideally weekly

• Internal scans: At least quarterly, ideally monthly

• Web application scans: At least quarterly for critical applications

Document Everything

• Scan configurations and schedules

• Remediation timelines and SLAs

• Exception handling processes

• Roles and responsibilities

Prioritize Remediation

• Critical/High vulnerabilities: 30 days or less

• Medium vulnerabilities: 60-90 days

• Low vulnerabilities: As part of regular maintenance

Maintain Historical Records

• Keep scan results for at least 12 months

• Track remediation over time

• Be prepared to show trending data

Common Audit Findings

Finding: Inconsistent scanning schedule Solution: Implement automated, scheduled scans with a managed service

Finding: No evidence of remediation Solution: Use ticketing integration and document closure of findings

Finding: Limited scan coverage Solution: Ensure all in-scope systems are included in scan targets

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