ISO 37001
International standard for anti-bribery management systems
SOC 2
AICPA framework for service organization security controls
Quick Verdict
ISO 37001 certifies anti-bribery systems for global organizations seeking ethical governance, while SOC 2 attests security controls for tech service providers. Companies adopt ISO 37001 for bribery risk mitigation and trust; SOC 2 accelerates enterprise sales via data assurance.
ISO 37001
ISO 37001:2025 Anti-bribery management systems
Key Features
- Certifiable anti-bribery management system standard
- Risk-based bribery assessment and controls
- Mandatory third-party due diligence requirements
- Leadership commitment and compliance function
- PDCA cycle for continual improvement
SOC 2
System and Organization Controls 2
Key Features
- Trust Services Criteria for security and privacy controls
- Type 2 audits prove operating effectiveness over time
- Mandatory Security with CC1-CC9 common criteria
- Flexible scoping for service organization needs
- AICPA CPA-attested reports build stakeholder trust
Detailed Analysis
A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.
ISO 37001 Details
What It Is
ISO 37001:2025 Anti-bribery management systems is an international certifiable standard for establishing, implementing, and improving an Anti-Bribery Management System (ABMS). It applies to all organizations, focusing on preventing, detecting, and responding to bribery risks through a risk-based, proportionate approach aligned with PDCA cycle and Harmonized Structure (HS).
Key Components
- Clauses 4-10 cover context, leadership, planning, support, operation, evaluation, improvement
- Core controls: policy, compliance function, risk assessment, due diligence, financial/non-financial controls, training, audits
- Built on ISO management system principles; third-party certification with surveillance audits
Why Organizations Use It
- Mitigates legal risks (e.g., FCPA, UK Bribery Act) via evidentiary "reasonable steps"
- Builds stakeholder trust, reduces compliance costs (up to 15%), enhances reputation
- Enables market access, ESG alignment, operational efficiencies
Implementation Overview
- Phased: gap analysis, risk assessment, controls design, training, audits
- Scalable for SMEs to multinationals; 6-12 months typical
- Optional certification via accredited bodies
SOC 2 Details
What It Is
SOC 2 (System and Organization Controls 2) is a voluntary audit framework developed by the AICPA to evaluate service organizations' controls for security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy. It uses Trust Services Criteria (TSC) in a risk-based, control-focused approach, with Type 1 assessing design at a point in time and Type 2 confirming operating effectiveness over 3-12 months.
Key Components
- **Five TSCSecurity (mandatory, CC1-CC9), Availability (A1), Processing Integrity (PI1), Confidentiality (C1), Privacy (P1-P11).
- 50-100 controls mapped to criteria, built on COSO principles.
- CPA-issued reports demonstrating compliance.
Why Organizations Use It
Adopted by SaaS, cloud, and tech firms to accelerate sales (80-90% questionnaire coverage), reduce risks, and build enterprise trust. Market-driven necessity shortens cycles, boosts ACV, and signals maturity without legal mandates.
Implementation Overview
Phased: scoping/gap analysis (4-12 weeks), control deployment/monitoring (3-6 months), CPA audit. Targets service organizations of all sizes, especially tech; annual Type 2 recertification.
Key Differences
| Aspect | ISO 37001 | SOC 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Anti-bribery management systems only | Trust Services Criteria: security, availability, etc. |
| Industry | All sectors, global applicability | Service organizations, primarily tech/SaaS |
| Nature | Voluntary ISO certification standard | Voluntary AICPA attestation report |
| Testing | Third-party certification audits, annual surveillance | CPA Type 1/2 audits, annual Type 2 preferred |
| Penalties | Loss of certification, no legal penalties | No legal penalties, loss of attestation |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about ISO 37001 and SOC 2
ISO 37001 FAQ
SOC 2 FAQ
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