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SOC 2 CERTIFICATION
IN SAUDI ARABIA
For Faster, Transparent and Cost Effective
Certification Process
P.O. Box: 38503, Office No:01, First Floor,
Dabbab Street Riyadh, 11355,
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Call us
+91 7259945454
+91 8792302559
Email us
info@univateglobal.com
SOC 2 Certification in Saudi Arabia
A faster, transparent and cost effective route to a SOC 2 report. Univate Global guides organisations across the Kingdom from Trust Services Criteria scoping through readiness to the independent CPA examination.
Dabbab Street, Riyadh 11355,
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
SOC 2 Certification: What Is It?
SOC 2, meaning System and Organization Controls 2, is an independent attestation report on how a service organisation protects the customer data it stores or processes, typically in the cloud. It is built on the Trust Services Criteria defined by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), covering security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality and privacy. Security is the only mandatory criterion; the others are added based on the commitments you make to your clients.
As Saudi Arabia advances its Vision 2030 digital agenda and organisations handle personal data under the Personal Data Protection Law, enterprise and international clients increasingly ask their service providers for a SOC 2 report as independent proof of strong data governance.
Free ConsultationAttestation, Not a Certificate
That distinction has a practical consequence for Saudi organisations. A client receiving your report will read it, not just check that it exists. Which criteria you included, how long the review period ran, and whether the auditor noted exceptions all affect how the report lands during procurement. Scoping decisions made at the start therefore carry commercial weight later. Our overview of what SOC 2 covers explains the framework in more detail.
SOC 2 Type 1 and Type 2: Which Report Do You Need?
This is the first decision to make, and it shapes both timeline and cost more than any other choice.
| Type 1 | Type 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| What it assesses | Whether controls are suitably designed at a single point in time | Whether controls actually operated effectively across a defined review period |
| Typical use case | An interim proof point, or a first step when you are not yet ready for a full review period | The report most enterprise and international clients expect before signing |
| Timing | Can be completed once controls are in place | Requires a review period to run before the examination can begin |
| Relative cost | Lower, since controls are not tested over time | Higher, because controls are tested across the review period |
Many Saudi organisations use a Type 1 report as an interim milestone while working toward Type 2, since enterprise buyers generally treat Type 2 as the real benchmark. Our guide to SOC 2 Type 1 versus Type 2 sets out the differences in full.
Why SOC 2 Matters for Saudi Arabian Businesses
The Kingdom's shift toward cloud delivered services, combined with an enforceable privacy law and sector cybersecurity expectations, has moved SOC 2 from a niche request to a recurring one.
Vision 2030 and cloud adoption
As services move to the cloud across government, finance and industry, the organisations hosting and processing that data are asked to evidence how it is protected.
PDPL is fully enforceable
Organisations processing personal data now operate under an enforceable privacy law, and SOC 2 controls give documented evidence of the safeguards in place.
International client expectations
Saudi providers serving US and multinational clients are asked for SOC 2 specifically, because it is the assurance format those buyers know.
Sector cybersecurity frameworks
Organisations already working to NCA or financial sector expectations find SOC 2 controls reinforce the same disciplines rather than duplicating them.
Sales cycle friction
Every deal that stalls on a vendor security questionnaire takes longer to close. A current report answers most of those questions upfront.
Investor and partner confidence
For fintechs and technology startups in the Kingdom, an independent report is a credible signal of operational maturity.
Which Sectors in Saudi Arabia Typically Pursue SOC 2?
SOC 2 is most relevant to service organisations that store, process or manage data on behalf of their customers.
| Sector | Why SOC 2 Applies |
|---|---|
| SaaS and software companies | Enterprise buyers, particularly international ones, routinely require a current report before signing |
| Fintech and payment technology | Financial data sensitivity and sector cybersecurity expectations raise the assurance bar |
| Cloud, hosting and managed IT providers | Customers building on your platform need assurance about how their data is protected |
| Healthcare technology and health data platforms | Sensitive personal information demands demonstrable, independently tested controls |
| Outsourcing and shared services providers | Handling client data under contract often makes a report a stated requirement in the agreement |
| Data analytics and AI service providers | Processing client datasets creates direct accountability for how that data is handled |
| Technology startups and scale ups | Early readiness unblocks enterprise sales conversations and builds investor confidence |
If your organisation is regularly asked to complete a vendor security questionnaire, or a prospect has directly requested a SOC 2 report during procurement, that is usually the clearest signal it is time to start.
Requirements for SOC 2 Compliance in Saudi Arabia
SOC 2 does not prescribe a fixed control list. Instead, your organisation selects which Trust Services Criteria apply based on the nature of your services and the commitments you have made to clients.
You must protect systems and data against unauthorised access using controls such as access management, firewalls, encryption, logging and vulnerability management.
Where committed to clients, systems must remain available as agreed, supported by redundancy, backup, disaster recovery and monitoring of uptime commitments.
System processing should be complete, accurate, timely and authorised, evidenced through input validation, reconciliations and quality checks.
Information designated as confidential must be protected through encryption, access restrictions and contractual confidentiality obligations across its lifecycle.
Personal information must be collected, used, retained and disposed of in line with the organisation's privacy commitments, which for Saudi organisations aligns closely with PDPL principles.
Most technology companies start with security alone, or security plus availability, and widen scope as customer requirements evolve. Choosing the right criteria for your business, rather than defaulting to all five, is one of the first decisions we help you work through, because every additional criterion broadens the examination and the cost.
How to Achieve SOC 2 Compliance in Saudi Arabia
Reaching a SOC 2 report in Saudi Arabia follows a clear, repeatable path:
Scope and criteria selection. Decide which Trust Services Criteria apply to your service, with security always in scope and availability, processing integrity, confidentiality or privacy added as your client commitments require.
Gap analysis. Compare your current controls against the selected criteria to identify where policies, tooling or evidence are missing.
Implement controls. Put in place the access controls, encryption, monitoring, change management and vendor controls needed to meet the criteria.
Evidence collection setup. Establish how evidence of control operation will be captured and stored on an ongoing basis, with named owners for each control.
Continuous monitoring. Operate and evidence the controls consistently, since a Type 2 report tests how they perform over a review period.
Independent CPA examination. Engage a licensed CPA firm to examine your controls under AICPA attestation standards.
Report issuance. Receive your SOC 2 Type 1 or Type 2 report, which you can share with clients under a non-disclosure agreement.
Annual renewal. A report covers a defined period rather than offering multi year validity, so most organisations repeat the cycle each year to keep a current report available.
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Experience best in class support from Univate Global's SOC 2 consultants, from gap analysis through final assessment and reporting.
How Long Does It Take to Become SOC 2 Ready?
SOC 2 timelines work differently from other compliance frameworks because of the review period. Readiness, scoping and control implementation can move quickly for a well prepared organisation. But a Type 2 examination cannot begin until controls have operated for the chosen review period.
| Stage | What Happens | Typical Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Scoping and criteria selection | Decide report type and which Trust Services Criteria apply | 1 to 3 weeks |
| Gap analysis | Assess current controls against the selected criteria | 2 to 4 weeks |
| Control implementation | Close gaps across policy, process and technical controls | 1 to 4 months depending on maturity |
| Type 1 examination (optional) | Point in time assessment of control design by a CPA firm | Once controls are in place |
| Review period (Type 2) | Controls operate and evidence accumulates before testing | Commonly three to twelve months |
| Type 2 examination and reporting | Operating effectiveness testing and report issuance | Several weeks after the period closes |
In practical terms, plan for implementation time on one side and the review period on the other, rather than expecting a single fixed number of weeks. We build a realistic project plan with you once scope, criteria and current readiness are clear.
SOC 2 Certification Cost in Riyadh and Saudi Arabia
The cost of a SOC 2 report in Riyadh is not fixed. It depends on your organisation's size, the service in scope, how mature your existing controls are, and whether you pursue a Type 1 or a Type 2 report. The main cost drivers are:
Larger environments with more systems and locations require more control coverage and evidence, which increases effort.
Adding criteria beyond security, such as availability or privacy, broadens the examination and the associated cost.
Closing control gaps, such as improving access management, logging or encryption, forms part of the overall investment.
The independent CPA firm charges separately for the examination, and a Type 2 report costs more than a Type 1 because controls are tested over a review period.
A longer Type 2 review period means more evidence to collect and test, which affects both internal effort and examination scope.
Whether an automation platform is used for evidence collection changes both the upfront cost and the ongoing effort of annual renewals.
Consulting fees and CPA examination fees are quoted separately, so budget for both. The clearest way to understand realistic cost is a short discovery conversation covering scope and current maturity.
Key Benefits of SOC 2 Certification for Saudi Arabian Business
- Enhanced customer trust: an independent report shows clients you protect their data to a recognised, tested standard
- Competitive advantage: a SOC 2 report helps you win enterprise and international contracts that shortlist only assured vendors
- Regulatory alignment: the controls support your obligations under the Saudi Personal Data Protection Law, overseen by SDAIA, and sector rules such as the NCA Essential Cybersecurity Controls and SAMA frameworks
- Risk management: a control led approach reduces the likelihood and impact of data breaches and service disruption
- Operational discipline: documented, monitored controls improve consistency and accountability across your teams
- Shorter sales cycles: a current report answers most vendor security questions before they are asked
- Fewer repetitive questionnaires: freeing up sales, engineering and security time across the year
Customised SOC 2 Services for Saudi Arabian Businesses
We scope the Trust Services Criteria that fit your service and design a SOC 2 readiness plan around your operations, whether you work in fintech, cloud services, healthcare technology or outsourcing.
We assess your current controls against the selected criteria and your risk profile, then give you a clear, prioritised remediation roadmap.
We train your teams on their control responsibilities so that security, access and change practices are followed consistently during the audit period.
Because a Type 2 report evidences controls over time, we help you monitor and maintain your controls and keep audit evidence organised.
We run readiness reviews, coordinate with your licensed CPA auditor and help you resolve findings before the formal examination.
SOC 2 Consultants for Compliance, Reporting and Assessment
Across an engagement, our support covers each stage of the journey:
- Readiness assessment: we evaluate your current controls against the AICPA Trust Services Criteria and confirm which report type fits your goals
- Control implementation: we help design and document the policies, access controls and monitoring needed to meet each criterion in scope
- Evidence and reporting support: we help you gather and organise the evidence a CPA auditor will request, reducing back and forth during the examination
- Audit coordination: we coordinate with your licensed CPA firm through the Type 1 or Type 2 examination and help resolve findings
- Ongoing compliance: we support continuous monitoring so your controls stay effective for future annual reports
SOC 2, ISO 27001 and PDPL: How They Fit Together
Saudi organisations are often asked for more than one of these, usually by different parties. They overlap in control substance but differ in what they produce and who asks for them.
| SOC 2 | ISO 27001 | PDPL | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | An attestation report on controls, issued by a licensed CPA firm | A certifiable information security management system standard | Saudi privacy law supervised by SDAIA |
| Who asks for it | Enterprise and international clients, especially US based ones | Clients and tenders across the Gulf, Europe and Asia | A legal obligation, not a client request |
| Output | A report covering a defined period, refreshed annually | A certificate valid for three years with annual surveillance | Demonstrable compliance, not a certificate |
| Nature | Criteria based, with scope selected from the Trust Services Criteria | Risk based, with controls selected from Annex A | Principles based legal requirements |
Where more than one applies, the control work can be planned together so the same evidence serves multiple purposes. See our comparison of ISO 27001 and SOC 2, or read about ISO 27001 certification in Saudi Arabia.
Common Challenges in SOC 2 Implementation
Most delayed reports trace back to the same recurring problems, all of which are avoidable with the right groundwork.
Scope set too wide
Including all five Trust Services Criteria when clients only asked for security broadens the examination and the cost with no commercial benefit.
Evidence gathered at the end
A Type 2 report tests the whole review period. Evidence assembled retroactively rarely holds up under examination.
Controls without owners
When controls are not assigned to named people, they lapse quietly and the exception surfaces during testing.
Policies that do not match practice
Documented procedures nobody follows are a reliable source of findings, since auditors sample real activity.
Vendor management gaps
Cloud providers and subcontractors sit within scope. Undocumented third party arrangements are a frequent exception.
Treating it as a one off
Reports cover a defined period and need annual renewal. Organisations that plan for the cycle avoid repeating first year effort every year.
SOC 2 Consulting Across the Kingdom
Demand concentrates in the Kingdom's main commercial and technology centres, and readiness work can be delivered on site, remotely or as a hybrid.
Riyadh
Fintech, banking technology, SaaS and headquarters operations, where enterprise procurement requirements are most concentrated.
Jeddah
Trade, logistics, healthcare technology and a growing base of service providers serving regional clients.
Dammam, Khobar and Dhahran
Industrial technology and service providers supporting the energy sector, where data handling accountability is rising.
Giga projects and new economic zones
Vision 2030 developments bring new digital platforms and supplier ecosystems, with assurance expectations built in from the start.
To help us better address your SOC 2 requirements, tell us which criteria your clients are asking for and what you are hosting.
Get in TouchUnivate Global: Your Trusted SOC 2 Compliance Partner in Saudi Arabia
Univate Solutions is a dependable partner for SOC 2 readiness in Saudi Arabia. We understand what it takes to protect sensitive data and to satisfy the enterprise and regulatory expectations that Saudi organisations face.
Our team guides you through scoping, gap analysis, control implementation and audit coordination, then works alongside your licensed CPA firm through the examination.
Partnering with Univate Global means a practical, evidence based route to a SOC 2 report that your clients can rely on. Where ongoing security leadership is needed without a full time hire, CISO as a service is a practical option.
Our Clients
Client Testimonials
I had the pleasure and opportunity of working with Univate Solutions on a couple of High Maturity (ML5) CMMI appraisals and found them to be one of the best.
Amulya P
Team Univate holds many professional approaches.
Ashish Sherlekar
Proud to work with the company during the gap analysis in RTA and the work that was done over two months. Thanks for the cooperation and the detailed, clear approach.
Doaa Sharaf
Common FAQs on SOC 2 Certification in Saudi Arabia
What is SOC 2 and who defines the criteria?
SOC 2, meaning System and Organization Controls 2, is an attestation report on the controls a service organisation uses to protect customer data. It is based on the Trust Services Criteria, covering security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality and privacy, defined by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). Security is the only mandatory criterion; the other four are included based on the commitments an organisation makes to its clients.
What is the difference between SOC 2 Type 1 and Type 2?
A Type 1 report assesses whether controls are suitably designed at a single point in time. A Type 2 report goes further and tests whether those controls actually operated effectively across a defined review period. Most enterprise and international buyers expect a Type 2 report before signing.
Is SOC 2 mandatory in Saudi Arabia?
No. SOC 2 is a voluntary attestation framework and is not required by Saudi law. It becomes practically necessary when enterprise or international clients make it a condition of vendor onboarding or contract renewal. Legal obligations for personal data sit with the Personal Data Protection Law, which is separate.
Who can issue a SOC 2 report?
Only an independent, licensed CPA firm can perform the examination and issue the report, under AICPA attestation standards. A consultancy cannot issue the report. Univate Global's role is readiness, scoping, control implementation and audit coordination ahead of and during that examination.
How long does it take to become SOC 2 ready in Saudi Arabia?
Scoping, gap analysis and control implementation typically run over a few months, depending on how mature your existing controls are. A Type 2 report then requires a review period, commonly three to twelve months, before the examination can test operating effectiveness. Plan for implementation time and the review period as two separate stages.
Which sectors in Saudi Arabia typically pursue SOC 2?
SaaS and software companies, fintech and payment technology firms, cloud and managed IT providers, healthcare technology platforms, outsourcing and shared services providers, data and AI service providers, and technology startups looking to unblock enterprise sales conversations.
Is SOC 2 a certificate?
Not technically. SOC 2 is an attestation report issued by a licensed CPA firm, not a certificate issued by an accredited certification body. There is no accreditation mark. Clients read the report itself, which is why scope, review period and any noted exceptions matter during procurement. The term SOC 2 certification is widely used in practice, including on this page.
How often does a SOC 2 report need to be renewed?
Most organisations repeat the process annually, since a report covers a defined review period rather than offering multi year validity. Clients typically want to see a report covering a recent period, so gaps between reports can raise questions during renewal discussions.
How much does a SOC 2 report cost in Riyadh?
There is no fixed price. Cost is driven by organisation size and complexity, how many Trust Services Criteria are in scope, the report type, the length of the review period, how much remediation is needed, and the CPA firm's examination fees, which are quoted separately from readiness consulting.
How does SOC 2 relate to PDPL and NCA requirements?
They are separate obligations that reinforce one another. PDPL is Saudi privacy law supervised by SDAIA, and the NCA Essential Cybersecurity Controls set baseline requirements for government entities and critical national infrastructure. SOC 2 controls such as access management, encryption, logging and incident response provide documented evidence that supports both.
Should we pursue SOC 2 or ISO 27001 first?
It depends on where your clients are. SOC 2 is the format North American buyers know, while ISO 27001 is more commonly requested across the Gulf, Europe and Asia. Organisations serving both markets often maintain both, in which case the control work can be planned together to avoid duplication.
Can SOC 2 readiness work be delivered remotely?
Yes. Scoping, gap analysis, documentation and evidence collection setup are delivered effectively through remote or hybrid engagement, with on site work where it adds value. The CPA firm sets its own approach to the examination itself.
If you have more questions regarding SOC 2 certification in Saudi Arabia, get in touch with our experts today or email info@univateglobal.com for more information.
Start Your SOC 2 Journey
If a client has asked for a SOC 2 report, or you want to get ahead of that request before it stalls a deal, a short conversation is the fastest way to get clarity on report type, criteria, timeline and cost.
Univate Global supports organisations across Saudi Arabia through every stage of SOC 2, from readiness assessment through the CPA examination and into annual renewal.
Get a Free Consultation Call +91 72599 45454
Riyadh office: P.O. Box 38503, Office No. 01, First Floor, Dabbab Street, Riyadh 11355, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Phone: +91 72599 45454 / +91 87923 02559
Email: info@univateglobal.com
