In our continuous effort to ensure that our clients meet high standards in terms of security, last year we took the lead on the tech end to achieve SOC2 certification for one of our customers. This certification was not merely a checkbox for compliance but a rigorous set of tasks, procedures, policies and assessments that have been done during the course of months. In this article, we are going to summarize the key tasks involved in this process that took place during months but ended with a successful SOC2 certification.
The process in a nutshell
Achieving SOC2 certification required a series of meticulous tasks aimed at bolstering our security and operational protocols. Each task was designed to align our practices with the stringent requirements of SOC2, ensuring comprehensive protection and reliability for our systems and data. Below, we outline the critical steps we undertook, detailing their purpose and implementation to illustrate our commitment to security and excellence.
Configuring Workstations
To kickstart our SOC2 certification process, we focused on securing our workstations with stringent measures:
- Antivirus Installation: We implemented antivirus software across all workstations to protect against malware and cyber threats. This ensured our systems remained secure, and any malicious activity could be promptly detected and mitigated, thereby safeguarding our operations.
- Disk Encryption: Encrypting the disk of every workstation ensured that sensitive data remained protected even if a device was lost or stolen. This was a critical step in safeguarding customer information and maintaining data integrity, thus complying with SOC2 data protection standards.
- Screen Lock Activation: Enforcing a screen lock after 15 minutes of inactivity helped to prevent unauthorized access to unattended workstations. This enhanced our physical security measures and ensured that sensitive data was not exposed to unauthorized personnel.
- Password Manager Configuration: By mandating the use of password managers, we ensured that all team members utilized strong, unique passwords for different systems. This reduced the risk of credential theft and unauthorized access, strengthening our overall security posture.
Writing and Approving Guidelines
A comprehensive set of guidelines needed to be developed, reviewed, and approved to standardize our processes:
- Code Review: Establishing clear guidelines for code review ensured consistency and quality in our codebase. This process reduced the risk of vulnerabilities by ensuring that all code changes were scrutinized and met our security and quality standards.
- Security and Infrastructure: Documented security practices and infrastructure management processes helped maintain robust security controls and resilient infrastructure. These guidelines provided a framework for consistently applying security measures across all operations.
- Risk Assessment and Data Protection: Regular risk assessments and stringent data protection guidelines were put in place to identify potential risks and safeguard sensitive information. This proactive approach allowed us to mitigate risks before they could impact our operations.
- Disaster Recovery and Backup Plans: Developing a disaster recovery plan and implementing regular backups ensured business continuity and data availability in case of unexpected disruptions. This was essential for maintaining service reliability and meeting SOC2 requirements.
- Software Development Lifecycle: Standardizing our software development processes ensured that security and quality were embedded from the initial stages of development. This helped in building secure, reliable software and maintaining compliance with SOC2 standards.
Adjusting Infrastructure for Productive Applications
We made significant adjustments to our infrastructure to align with SOC2 requirements:
- Database Encryption: All databases and search engines were encrypted to protect data at rest. This measure ensured that sensitive information was safeguarded against unauthorized access, aligning with SOC2 data protection mandates.
- Securing S3 Buckets: Data stored in S3 buckets was secured using UUID hashes and secured temporary links. These methods prevented unauthorized access and ensured that only authorized users could access sensitive data.
- Security Groups and Firewalls: Adjustments to open security groups and the configuration of web application firewalls (WAF) helped to protect our applications from external threats. These measures reduced the attack surface and enhanced overall security.
- Monitoring and Backups: Implementing comprehensive monitoring metrics and daily backups for all databases ensured ongoing security and data integrity. Regular backups also provided a safety net in case of data loss, ensuring business continuity.
Implementing Version Control Rules
We established strict version control rules to maintain code integrity and security:
- Pull Request Approvals: Enforcing pull request approvals before merging ensured that all code changes were reviewed and approved. This reduced the risk of introducing vulnerabilities into the codebase, maintaining high standards of security and quality.
Trunk Branch Restrictions: Restrictions on merging and pushing directly to trunk branches helped maintain code stability and integrity. This prevented unauthorized or unreviewed changes from being integrated into the main codebase.
Enabling Two-Factor Authentication
Two-factor authentication (2FA) was enabled across all platforms, including GSuite, AWS IAM, BitBucket, and Slack. This added layer of security significantly reduced the risk of unauthorized access. By requiring an additional authentication step, 2FA ensured that even if credentials were compromised, unauthorized users could not access our systems.
Phishing and Cybersecurity Training
To bolster our defense against social engineering attacks, the entire team completed phishing and cybersecurity courses using the Curricula platform. This training increased awareness and provided practical skills to identify and respond to potential threats effectively. By educating our team, we created a human firewall that complemented our technical defenses.
Conclusion
Achieving SOC2 certification was a rigorous and comprehensive process that required a holistic approach to security and operational excellence. By configuring secure workstations, establishing robust guidelines, adjusting our infrastructure, implementing strict version control rules, enabling two-factor authentication, and educating our team, we not only met the SOC2 requirements but also strengthened our overall security posture. This journey has not only prepared us for certification but also instilled a culture of continuous improvement and vigilance, ensuring we remain a trusted partner for our customers.
