Standards Comparison

    SOC 2

    Voluntary
    2010

    AICPA framework for Trust Services Criteria compliance

    VS

    EN 1090

    Mandatory
    2009

    EU standard for steel and aluminium structural execution

    Quick Verdict

    SOC 2 provides voluntary trust assurance for tech service data security globally, while EN 1090 mandates CE marking for structural steel/aluminium components in EU construction. Tech firms adopt SOC 2 for enterprise sales; fabricators need EN 1090 for legal market access.

    Cybersecurity / Trust

    SOC 2

    System and Organization Controls 2

    Cost
    €€€€
    Complexity
    High
    Implementation Time
    6-12 months
    Structural Metalwork

    EN 1090

    EN 1090 Execution of steel and aluminium structures

    Cost
    €€€€
    Complexity
    High
    Implementation Time
    6-12 months

    Key Features

    • Risk-based Execution Classes EXC1-EXC4
    • Factory Production Control FPC certification
    • CE marking and DoP requirements
    • Welding quality via ISO 3834
    • Material traceability and NDT inspection

    Detailed Analysis

    A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.

    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 over customer data. It uses Trust Services Criteria (TSC)—a principles-based, risk-focused approach assessing security and operations.

    Key Components

    • Five TSC: Security (mandatory, CC1-CC9), Availability, Processing Integrity, Confidentiality, Privacy (optional).
    • 50-100 controls mapped to criteria, with redundancy (2-3 per point).
    • Built on COSO principles; Type 1 (design) and Type 2 (operating effectiveness) reports by CPA auditors.

    Why Organizations Use It

    • Accelerates enterprise sales, unlocks markets like SaaS/cloud.
    • Builds stakeholder trust, reduces breach risks/liability.
    • Competitive moat via 15-30% faster close rates, ROI in 3-6 months.
    • Overlaps with ISO 27001 (80%), HIPAA, GDPR for efficiency.

    Implementation Overview

    • Phased: gap analysis (2-4 weeks), deployment (4-8 weeks), monitoring (3-12 months), audit (1-2 months).
    • Targets SaaS/fintech (10-500+ employees); automation (Vanta) cuts effort 70%.
    • Annual Type 2 recertification with bridge letters. (178 words)

    EN 1090 Details

    What It Is

    EN 1090 is a harmonized European standard family (EN 1090-1, -2, -3) for the execution and conformity assessment of structural steel and aluminium components under the Construction Products Regulation (CPR). Its primary purpose is ensuring safe fabrication, assembly, and market placement via CE marking. It employs a risk-based approach through Execution Classes (EXC1–EXC4).

    Key Components

    • **EN 1090-1Conformity assessment, Factory Production Control (FPC), Declaration of Performance (DoP).
    • **EN 1090-2/-3Technical rules for steel/aluminium (welding, tolerances, corrosion protection, inspection).
    • Core principles: traceability, welding quality (ISO 3834), NDT scaled by EXC.
    • Certification model: Notified Body audits FPC with ongoing surveillance.

    Why Organizations Use It

    • Mandatory for EU market access with CE marking.
    • Reduces liability, rework; enables high-risk projects.
    • Builds trust via certified quality and traceability.

    Implementation Overview

    Phased: gap analysis, FPC build, personnel training, NB certification. Applies to fabricators in construction; 6-12 months typical for medium firms.

    Key Differences

    Scope

    SOC 2
    Data security, availability, privacy for service orgs
    EN 1090
    Structural steel/aluminium fabrication and conformity

    Industry

    SOC 2
    SaaS, cloud, tech services globally
    EN 1090
    Construction, manufacturing in EU/EEA

    Nature

    SOC 2
    Voluntary AICPA audit framework
    EN 1090
    Mandatory harmonized standard under CPR

    Testing

    SOC 2
    Type 2 audits over 3-12 months by CPA
    EN 1090
    FPC certification, surveillance by Notified Body

    Penalties

    SOC 2
    Lost business, no legal fines
    EN 1090
    Market exclusion, fines, legal liability

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions about SOC 2 and EN 1090

    SOC 2 FAQ

    EN 1090 FAQ

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