There are two types of SOC 2 reports, each serving a distinct purpose in the assessment of an organization's controls.
The SOC 2 Type 1 report focuses on the design of an organization's controls at a specific point in time. Its primary purpose is to evaluate whether the systems and controls are suitably designed to meet the relevant Trust Service Criteria. In this report, the auditor examines the organization's system and the suitability of the design of its controls. This type of report is often used by organizations as an initial step in SOC 2 compliance, providing assurance about the design of controls as of a certain date.
On the other hand, the SOC 2 Type 2 report goes a step further by assessing the operational effectiveness of those controls over a period of time, typically covering a minimum of six months. This report not only reviews the design of the controls but also tests their operational effectiveness throughout the review period. The SOC 2 Type 2 report is more comprehensive and provides users with a higher level of assurance about the organization's control environment. It demonstrates how the controls are managed and maintained over time, offering a more in-depth view of the organization's commitment to maintaining a robust control environment.