You may view SOC 2 compliance audits as being as dry as dust, but they’re increasingly becoming a necessity. The world of regulatory compliance only continues to grow, so your Houston business needs to be as well positioned as possible – it could have a major impact on the future of your company. NDB is staffed with a team of experts who have extensive experience in SOC compliance reports – we’ve done hundreds of them. Get in touch with us to learn more.

What Makes NDB the Leader in SOC 2 Compliance?

Houston is a major hub for commerce in the U.S., and you’ve been reaping the benefits. But as your company grows and you win more and more RFPs, your data security compliance responsibilities are growing as well. We can provide you with competitively priced SOC 2 compliance audits on a fixed-fee basis. You’ll know exactly how much you’ll pay, and you won’t have to deal with any surprises. In addition to SOC 2 compliance services, we also offer services to make you compliant with SOC 1, HIPAA, PCI DSS and other mandates.

If you run any sort of technology-focused Houston business, you should seriously consider familiarizing yourself with SOC 2 (System & Organization Controls) audits and reports.

The regulatory compliance environment is becoming more and more demanding, making it mandatory that companies show the effectiveness of their data security policies and procedures. NDB, the Texas leader in regulatory compliance assessments as well as consulting services, can help.

NDB has a long track record of providing SOC 2 services with the highest levels of integrity. Not only do we deliver SOC 2 assessments, we also provide assessments covering SOC 1, HIPAA, PCI DSS, SSAE 18, HITRUST, and more. When you turn to us, you’ll have a comprehensive picture of any weaknesses that may exist in your data security controls. We’ll also provide you a detailed roadmap that will help you address those weaknesses.

A Brief Look at SOC 2 Audits

If you run a technology company, SOC 2 audits are designed specifically for you. That’s the case whether your business is a SaaS entity, a cloud computing operation, a data center, a managed services provider, or anything similar.

In order to meet all data security mandates, it will be imperative that Houston technology businesses undergo SOC 2 audits on a regular basis. These audits serve a critically important purpose – they show your customers, and their customers, that your internal controls are sound. When someone does business with you, they want to be able to do so with complete confidence. SOC 2 audits can help instill that confidence by showing all of the policies, procedures and processes that make up your control environment.

As businesses everywhere put more emphasis on data security, SOC 1, SOC 2 and SOC 3 reports and assessments, are becoming more and more common. The world economy is more reliable on technology than ever before. Data breaches can cause a domino effect that can be felt across the globe. As a result, thousands of businesses are turning to SOC reports and assessments in order to get a clear picture of the effectiveness of their internal controls. They want to know – and their customers want to know – any weaknesses that may be present so they can have a plan of action to address those weak spots.

The use of SOC reports – especially SOC 2 and SOC 3 reports – will only continue to increase in the coming years. This will especially be the case for technology-focused service organizations, such as cloud computing vendors, ISPs, data centers, managed service providers, and others.

Here are seven things you should know about SOC 1, SOC 2 and SOC 3 reports, courtesy of the experts in SOC compliance with NDB at texascompliance.org.

1. It’s time to accept – and embrace – SOC reports.

For years, the gold standard of data security reporting was SAS 70. However, it eventually became apparent that this standard simply wasn’t robust enough to take into account all the complexities of a global economy. SSAE 18 has overtaken SAS 70, leading to the development of SOC (System and Organization Controls) reporting options. Organizations can now choose from three reports, the aforementioned SOC 1, SOC 2 and SOC 3.

SOC 1 reports and assessments are the emerging “champion,” if you will, among companies that want to take a hard look at their data security and ICFR strategies. But if you’re part of a technology-centered organization, you’ll be more interested in SOC 2 and SOC 3. These reports are geared toward software development companies, SaaS, IaaS, PaaS companies, and more. But SOC 2 is applicable to any company, regardless of industry. You can learn more about these reports by sending us an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

For nearly 20 years, the SAS 70 auditing standard was the accepted method of assessing a service organization’s data security processes and policies. But now, AICPA SOC (Service Organization Control) reports are considered to be the preferred method. There are actually three different SOC reporting options – SOC 1, SOC 2 and SOC 3. This is a major change, so it’s important that you are aware of them and how they could impact your company. Here are five important points you need to consider when it comes to proving the effectiveness of your data security strategies.

1. There’s a New Sheriff in Town

These days, it’s definitely a SOC world. The importance of the shift from SAS 70 to SOC really can’t be understated – it’s monumental. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) replaced SAS 70 with a new standard, known as SSAE (Statement on Standards for Attestation Engagements) 16, then SSAE 18. SSAE 18, the new de facto standard for compliance reporting, sits under the umbrella of the SOC framework. SOC 1, SOC 2 and SOC 3 reports lie within this framework.

The AICPA changed the standard in an effort to not only modernize data security reporting, but to also take a more global approach. There is an international equivalent of SSAE 18, known as ISAE3402.

SAS 70 was more of a one-size-fits-all auditing protocol. SSAE 18 is not only more robust, it also offers superior scalability and flexibility. It does a much better job of handling today’s complex business and IT controls. While trying to comprehend all of this may make your eyes glaze over, just keep in mind that this is a very positive development. Not only do you have a wide range of auditing options from which to choose, you also have a company – NDB – that will help you make the right decision. Not only do we offer the highest quality assessment services, we provide those services at fees that don’t fluctuate.

2. SOC 1 Reports Take the Lead

The demise of SAS 70 has cleared the way for a new leader in data security compliance, and SOC 1 is it. SOC 1 provides flexibility in reporting options that work in conjunction with SSAE 18. There are two types of SOC 1 reports. SOC 1 Type 1 reports look at an organization’s internal controls on a specific date – such as September 30, 2021. SOC 1 Type 2 reports, on the other hand, look at a broader timeframe – typically at least six months.

One of the reasons the SSAE 18 standard has gained such widespread acceptance goes back to the flexibility mentioned earlier. They provide a framework that addresses the nexus between service organizations and the third-party entities with which they share data.

There is still an argument over whether the SOC 1 or SOC 2 audit protocol (which we’ll address in further depth in the next section) is the best method for assessing data security effectiveness. There are many types of technical operations, such as managed services providers and data centers, that use SOC 1 audits. However, as you’ll learn later, the SOC 2 reporting option is gaining a great deal of traction.

If your organization is oriented toward technology services, such as IT services, then a SOC 2 audit could very well be the better choice when it comes to third-party assessments. An expert with NDB can let you know the best route to take. Just send an e-mail to us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to learn more.

3. The Emergence of SOC 2

Acceptance of SOC 2 is gradually increasing. Bottom line, it’s growing as a legitimate alternative for cloud computing entities, data centers, and other technology-based service organizations. SOC 2 reports fall under the AT (Attestation Standards) 101 professional standard, while SOC 1 reports fall under the SSAE 18 standard. We believe that the momentum of SOC 2 will continue to increase as companies get a better understanding of its value.

Why does SOC 2 acceptance continue to grow? One of the biggest reasons is that it incorporates Trust Service Principles (TSPs). These comprise the following:

• Security
• Processing Integrity
• Confidentiality
• Privacy
• Availability

A SOC 2 report is extremely transparent, and will give not only your customers, but also their auditors and investors, confidence that you have effective controls in place regarding the security of your data. It shows that your employees, your software and your infrastructure are doing an acceptable job of handling – and protecting – data.

4. Don’t Forget SOC 3

There is another option in regards to data security auditing, and that’s SOC 3. It shares a lot of characteristics of SOC 2. Both of them incorporate TSPs, both fall under the AT 101 umbrella, and both are increasing in acceptance. While SOC 3 doesn’t have the same technical depth of SOC 2, it does include the issuance of WebTrust and SysTrust seals. These can both be used to validate your compliance with data security mandates.

5. Data Security Policies and Procedures Should Be Among Your Top Priorities

Regardless of what type of report you choose, your company will have to have the policies and procedures in place for you to achieve SOC compliance. Your information security policies have to be strong, and your procedural documentation must be impeccable. These are not only vital to achieving compliance with all industry and government regulations, but also critical to securing the trust of your customers.

This is a daunting process, as you can well imagine. It’s not just mundane, it also takes a great deal of time. You have to factor in IT domains that need documentation, as well as access rights, data backup, change control, incident response, and many, many others.

NDB offers complimentary SOC 1 and SOC 2 Policy Packets to our clients to help them navigate this taxing, complex process. These packets can help save you a great deal of time, and a great deal of money. These industry-leading packets have helped our clients save thousands of dollars.

If you would like more information on NDB’s SSAE 18 and SOC 2 reporting services and pricing, please get in touch with us. You can send an e-mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 512-522-4943 (Austin), 214-272-0967 (Dallas), or at 713-331-5492 (Houston).

As one of the most highly regarded compliance firms in Texas, NDB can provide SOC 2 Type 1 and SOC 2 Type 2 assessments that are not only of the highest quality, but also available with fixed-fee pricing. Companies face increasingly large regulatory compliance burdens year after year, making annual SOC 2 Type 1 and SOC 2 Type 2 assessments an annual necessity. For more than a decade, NDB has been the leader in advisory and audit services for Texas businesses. Email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to learn more.

NDB covers the entire spectrum of SOC 2 services. Not only do we perform SOC 2 Type 1 and SOC 2 Type 2 audits, we also offer SOC 2 remediation services and solutions, assessments for SOC 2 readiness, and more. We can also provide you with several supporting compliance services that include PCI DSS, HITRUST, HIPAA and more.

Our Services for Dallas, Texas Businesses

As important as SOC 2 compliance is, it can be incredibly complex and time consuming to achieve it. One of the most cumbersome mandates involves showing auditors all the procedures and policies that show your internal data security controls. Companies face two major challenges in these areas. First, they simply don’t have the internal resources necessary to develop comprehensive policies and procedures. They also don’t have the needed documentation.

NDB is staffed with a team of professionals who are experienced in both areas. That’s why so many businesses have turned to us for the help they need in order to achieve regulatory compliance. Here’s a look at just some of the SOC 2 services we provide to Texas businesses.

Scoping and Readiness Assessments

In order to even begin a SOC 2 audit, a company has to perform an exhaustive evaluation of their internal data security controls. They need to have a good idea of the scope of their business processes, and they also need to know any deficiencies that exist in their controls. More importantly, they need to know how to successfully address those deficiencies.

When you need to wade through the turbulent waters of data security compliance for your Houston company, you need the help of an advisory and audit firm that is well respected and highly qualified. NDB is just such a firm. We can deliver the expert SOC 2 Type 1 and SOC 2 Type 2 reports you need, and at a price that won’t fluctuate. You’ll know exactly what you’ll pay, so you won’t ever have to worry about any unpleasant surprises.

A Brief Look at SOC 2 Type 1 and SOC Type 2 Reports

SOC 2 Type 1 and SOC Type 2 reports are assessments that companies – specifically those in the information technology sector – across the nation use to determine the strengths and weaknesses of their internal data security controls. These are just a few of the types of Houston businesses that can benefit from these assessments:

• Internet service providers
• SaaS reporting organizations
• Data centers
• Managed services providers
• And many more

Many companies in this space typically turn to SSAE 18 SOC 1 reporting. However, if your business is oriented toward technology, you should really be utilizing SOC 2 Type 1 and SOC 2 Type 2 reports instead. NDB can let you know exactly what type of assessment will best fit your exact needs. You can get in touch with us by sending an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.

What are the Components of a Successful SOC 2 Audit for Houston IT Businesses?

In order to get the best picture possible of why SOC 2 audits are so important, it’s first important to get a feel for the components an effective audit. There are three main areas that are critical to any successful audit – scope, choosing the most applicable Trust Services Principles, and policies and procedures regarding your information security strategy. Here’s a closer look at each of these areas.

Scope

Houston service organizations must first take a close look at their business functions and then decide which ones should be included in their SOC 2 Type 1 or SOC 2 Type 2 report. Do you want the report to cover your entire business, or specific sectors? There are a lot of reasons it’s extremely important to answer these questions. One, of course, is the price of the report. The more comprehensive the report, the more it will cost. In addition, you’ll also need to make certain operational commitments regarding completion of the audit.

NDB is the undisputed leader in SOC 2 Type 1 and SOC 2 Type 2 audits for Houston, Texas businesses. Whether you need a comprehensive SOC 2 audit, or you just want a SOC 2 readiness assessment, we have the skills and experience to meet both your budget and your schedule.

If you would like more information on what we provide, please email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or give us a call at 713-331-5492 in Houston, 512-522-4943 in Austin, or 214-272-0967 in Dallas. We’ll be more than happy to give you a clear, concise picture of how we can help your company meet all SOC 2 data security mandates.

How Can We Help Your Business?
We have provided SOC 2 Type 1 and SOC 2 Type 2 audits for companies of all sizes, in Houston and throughout the rest of Texas – and the rest of the country – for more than 16 years. If you can use any of the following services, get in touch with us today.

SOC 2 Readiness Assessments and Scoping Services

Complying with data security mandates can lead to the dreaded “scope creep” – continuous changes in the scope of this type of project that can lead to incredibly expensive cost overruns. The best way to avoid this problem is to choose NDB to perform an assessment of your SOC 2 Type 1 and SOC Type 2 audit readiness.

But in order for you to get the most out of this kind of assessment, you need to turn to a reputable company that not only brings value, but also true insight into the quality of your internal controls. NDB checks both boxes. Our readiness assessments will give you the clearest possible picture of the effectiveness of not only your internal controls, but also all other procedures and policies that affect your data security strategy.

If you want to meet the increasingly difficult and complex demands of regulatory compliance, the professionals at NDB are ready to help. We not only provide top-to-bottom SOC 2 Type 1 and SOC Type 2 audit reports, we also offer policy writing, readiness assessments and much more. We will make sure you have a comprehensive picture of your data security strategy so you have a clear idea of any weaknesses that may exist.

Dallas is a technological hotspot, filled with businesses that rely on data for their everyday operations. But whether you’re running a start-up or you already have an established company, maintaining effective data security procedures has never been more important. This is especially the case if your company provides services to major corporations or the federal government.

Laws and regulations concerning data security are pouring out of Washington at an unprecedented rate. SOC 2 Type 1 and SOC Type 2 compliance might not have top-of-mind priority, but it should. NDB, the leading provider of SOC 2 compliance services in the nation, can help. No matter where you are in the Dallas area, or what kind of business you’re in, we’ll provide you an action plan to make you SOC 2 compliant, and help you ensure your security processes are as efficient as possible.

Our SOC 2 Type 1 and SOC 2 Type 2 Services

Here’s a brief look at the services we offer that can help you comply with all SOC 2 mandates.

Assessments of SOC 2 Readiness – If you want to get a detailed understanding of any issues or gaps that exist within your control environment before your SOC 2 audit, then a readiness assessment will be a perfect solution. This is a proactive method for correcting any deficiencies or gaps in your internal control structure prior to the start of the audit. This isn’t just another way for us to charge you for our services. An assessment is actually a sound investment that can pay off for years to come by saving you a significant number of man-hours.

At NDB, we’re experts in providing SOC 2 Type 1 and SOC 2 Type 2 audits to Houston businesses. We’ve built an unsurpassed reputation for client service, and our prices are affordable. You can count on us for SOC 2 assessments that will paint a detailed picture of your data security, giving you a roadmap to address any weaknesses that may exist in your strategy.

Compliance mandates are a way of life for all Houston companies – whether they come from Congress, or they come from within your own industry. As technology continues to advance, these mandates will only become more aggressive in scope. Organizations throughout the Houston area will continue to need the sophisticated SOC 2 assessments that NDB provides.

Silicon Valley might still be thought of as the leading area for technology, but Houston isn’t far behind. Because of this, service organizations in Houston have to focus even harder on SOC 2 reporting compliance. If you run a cloud computing environment, data center, or a similar operation, contact NDB as soon as possible for the best SOC 2 Type 1 and SOC 2 Type 2 audit fees. You can get in touch with us by calling 713-331-5492 (Houston), 512-522-4943 (Austin), or 214-272-0967 (Dallas), or you can reach us via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

NDB Services

These are the SOC 2 services we offer to Houston businesses.

1. Assessments of SOC 2 Readiness – In order to have the clearest, most detailed idea possible of the effectiveness of their data security strategy, service organizations in Houston need a comprehensive SOC 2 readiness assessment. It will not only provide valuable insight into one’s control environment, it will also be a proactive method of determining any weak spots that may exist in your controls.

SOC 2 Type 1 & Type 2 Audit Reports

NDB is the leader in SOC 2 Type 1 and SOC 2 Type 2 regulatory compliance audits for Dallas businesses. We can help you with all of the IT security mandates that affect operations such as data centers, cloud computing providers, and many others As the Dallas economy continues to boom, creating incredible opportunities in the process, that also creates increased responsibilities regarding the security of your data. We make it easy for you to fulfill those responsibilities.

Our Services

These are just a few of the SOC 2 services we offer to Dallas businesses:

SOC 2 Readiness Assessments: You must have a way to clearly assess critical SOC 2 issues, and have a clear understanding of them as well. These issues affect areas such as documentation of your policies and procedures as they pertain to data security, cardholder data scope, and others.

It’s obvious your company is excellent at what it does – otherwise your business couldn’t survive. But in many cases, too many companies don’t have thorough documentation showing the effectiveness of their data security initiatives. A detailed assessment will provide a detailed picture of any weaknesses or gaps in your documentation.

SOC 2 Remediation: In order to make sure your SOC 2 assessment is as successful as possible, you’ll need to include a remediation strategy. Your company may already have a sophisticated control environment. However, many organizations are lacking the comprehensive processes, procedures and policies that are part of any good approach to remediation. We’ve found that most businesses lack detailed documentation that clearly spells out all of their policies and procedures regarding data security. That’s where our SOC 2 Policy Packet – the best in the industry – can help.

SOC2 Reports: Why They’re So Critical to Your IT Infrastructure Security

There’s nothing more important to a company’s well being – no matter what industry it’s in, or what types of product it sells – than trust. If your customers can’t trust you, then you might as well close your doors for good. Maintaining that trust in a complex technological age is not only more important than ever, it’s also more difficult.

System and Organization Controls, or SOC, audits – specifically, SOC 2 reports, are critical to helping you maintain the trust of your customers. They send the message you’re taking the appropriate steps to protect their privacy and security.

What exactly, are SOC 2 reports, and why are they so important?

SOC Reports – The Basics:  In a nutshell, a SOC 2 audit is an intensive examination of your organization’s internal controls, policies and procedures. It shows how good a job you’re doing of protecting the privacy, confidentiality and security of your sensitive data. All SOC 2 audits must comply with guidelines set by the AICPA (the American Institute of CPAs) as well as the Attestation Standards (AT) Section 101.

There are three main types of SOC reporting options. Here’s a quick look at each.

• SOC 1 Reports – A SOC 1 report examines the processes that impact a company’s internal controls regarding their financial reporting (ICFR).
• SOC 2 Reports – These reports cover non-financial reporting controls. They basically show the processes you have in place to keep sensitive data private.
• SOC 3 Reports – SOC 3 reports are somewhat similar to SOC 2 reports, but there is one major difference between the two. SOC 3 reports are generally tailored to general audiences, while SOC 2 reports are designed for a specific organization.

Who Needs SOC 2 Reports, and Why?

SOC 2 reports are the primary options for service organizations – such as data canters, SaaS (software as a service) companies, cloud computing organizations, software development companies, and many others – to report on their controls outside the scope of financial reporting.

More and more organizations are having to undergo SOC 2 compliance, so take note of the SOC 2 for startups guide, compliments of NDB, one of Texas’ – and the country’s – leading providers of SOC 2 reporting.

Step 1 – Begin with a SOC 2 Scoping & Readiness Assessment

One of the most important tasks in becoming SOC 2 compliant begins by performing a SOC 2 Scoping & Readiness Assessment.  Performed by experienced audit staff at NDB, a SOC 2 Scoping & Readiness Assessment yields the following significant benefits:

• The ability to quickly and clearly understand important audit issues regarding scope, control deficiencies (both operationally/technically and documentation gaps), personnel workload, third-party providers, and much more.
• The ability to develop an actionable roadmap for moving forward with all aspects of the audit, from immediate next steps to long-term plans for continuous monitoring of internal controls.
• The confidence of knowing that the audit is correctly scoped, planned accordingly, and ready to move forward with next steps.

To learn more about NDB’s SOC 2 services, contact us today at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and receive a fixed-fee quote.

Step 2 – Remediate Documentation (That’s Policies and Procedures!)

Next up for bat for SOC 2 for startups is documentation remediation. It’s without question one of the more time-consuming and mundane tasks for achieving SOC 2 compliance, but it’s got to be done.   Most SOC 2 auditing firms will generally agree that the approximation of the number of different policies and procedures needed for compliance is around 30 or so. After all, you need policies for access control, change management, data backup, incident response, and many more.  It’s important to either (a). source high-quality templates online or (b). find a proven, trusted firm that can author information security policies and procedures – quickly and cost-effectively. NDB offers both A and B as solutions!

Step 3 – Roll up Those Sleeves and Remediate Security and Operational Areas

Writing policies and procedures – while very important – is just one aspect of remediation in terms of SOC 2 compliance. The other “half” focuses on what’s known as security and operational remediation. For example, organizations might find that their I.T. systems are poorly configured, thus requiring re-configuring servers, making passwords stronger, re-writing firewall rules, etc.  Other examples include; having employees perform security awareness training, testing the incident response and backup/contingency plans, and more.

HITRUST-CSF Austin & San Antonio Texas

NDB offers consultation and assessment validation services associated with the HITRUST CSF and HITRUST CSF Assurance Program for healthcare organizations located in Austin, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio, Texas.

We are one of Texas’ leading providers of HITRST CSF compliance, and we know the framework inside and out. Contact us today at 512-522-4943 (Austin), 214-272-0967 (Dallas), or at 713-331-5492 (Houston), or email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to learn more about NDB’s HITRUST services, and to receive a fixed-fee quote.

We’re often asked what’s the process for becoming HITRUST CSF certified – specifically – what’s the roadmap to follow. NDB offers the following phases for helping Austin, TX healthcare businesses achieve HITRUST CSF compliance.

Six Phases of HITRUST CSF Compliance & Certification

Phase I – Select an Authorized HITRUST External Assessor
Phase II – Perform a HITRUST CSF Readiness Assessment
Phase III – Undertake Documentation Remediation
Phase IV – Undertake Operational Remediation
Phase V – Completion of CSF Validated Assessment
Phase VI – Monitoring of Controls for Continued HITRUST CSF Compliance

Phase I – Select an Authorized HITRUST External Assessor

Finding an Authorized HITRUST External Assessor is the first step in becoming HITRUST CSF compliant – and for some very obvious reasons. HITRUST certification can take time – it can be a winding, complex road to compliance – all the more reason for finding a proven, trusted partner. There are a large number of well-qualified HITRUST assessors, so just remember to consider the following three key areas when making your selection:

Houston, TX HITRUST CSF Auditors & Consultants

NDB is a leading provider of HITRUST CSF compliance and certification services for Houston area businesses. The Houston metropolitan area is booming in terms of the healthcare industry. Sure, there’s the well-known Texas medical center, but there are literally thousands of other businesses that play a key role in Houston’s growing medical industry.

With massive security and compliance mandates taking effect for the healthcare industry throughout the country – especially when it comes to HITRUST compliance and certification – Houston area businesses are looking for a proven, trusted expert to guide them through the entire HITRUST process, and that’s NDB.

Contact us today at  at 713-331-5492, or email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to learn more about NDB’s HITRUST services, and to receive a fixed-fee quote.

6 Phases of HITRUST Compliance & Certification for Houston Healthcare Entities

Phase I – Find an Authorized HITRUST External Assessor
Phase II – Perform a HITRUST CSF Readiness Assessment
Phase III – Perform Documentation Remediation (Policies and Procedures)
Phase IV – Perform Operational Remediation
Phase V – Completion of CSF Validated Assessment
Phase VI – Monitoring of Controls for Continued HITRUST CSF Compliance

Phase I – Find an Authorized HITRUST External Assessor

Choose a HITRUST external assessor that has not only industry expertise, but true expertise in your specific healthcare field. The healthcare industry is huge – and only getting bigger – so it’s a good idea that the HITRUST external assessor you choose has a solid understanding of your specific sector. NDB has years of experience in almost every facet of the healthcare industry. Our personnel have over two decades of work history throughout dozens of healthcare areas.

NDB, Texas’ leading provider of SOC 2 audit and attest services, offers the following introduction and overview to the world of SOC 2 audits. If you’re located in Austin, Dallas, Houston – or anywhere in the Lone Star State – and are considering a SOC 2 audit – then here’s what you need to know NOW.

Understand What a SOC 2 Audit Actually is

So, what’s a SOC 2 audit? A process? A certificate? Something else? There’s quite a bit of confusion on this issue alone, so let’s clear the air. First and foremost, a SOC 2 audit is an assessment conducted by a Certified Public Accounting (CPA) firm against the AICPA Trust Service Principles criteria. It’s essentially an audit performed to examine a service organization’s policies, procedures, and processes – that is – one’s “internal controls.”

There are two (2) types of SOC 2 audits; SOC 2 Type 1 and SOC 2 Type 2, and yes, they are different in a few regards, so let’s talk about this. A SOC 2 Type 1 is an audit performed for a stated date in time, such as August 31, 20xx. However, a SOC 2 Type 2 assessment is an audit performed over an agreed upon test period time, such as January 1, 20xx to June 30, 20xx.  The main difference is that a Type 2 tests controls over a test period, whereas a Type 1 just assesses controls for a specific date.

Begin with a SOC 2 Scoping & Readiness Assessment

Getting off on the right track with SOC 2 compliance for Austin, Dallas, and Houston businesses starts by performing a much-needed SOC 2 Scoping & Readiness assessment by a well-qualified CPA firm, such as NDB. The benefits of this exercise are the following: The ability to properly identify audit scope in terms of business processes examined, personnel involved, physical locations in scope, and what relevant third-parties are involved.

Additionally, two other notable benefits are (1). Identifying gaps and control deficiencies requiring remediation and (2). Putting in place a plan-of-action for correcting control weaknesses. Diving head first into a SOC 2 audit without any real upfront scoping & readiness work is not recommended, so talk to the experts today at NDB.

NDB is one of Texas’ leading PCI DSS compliance audit firms, offering QSA assessments and other consulting services for companies all throughout Dallas.

As one of the country’s fastest growing metroplex regions, the DFW area is home to countless businesses requiring compliance with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS). If you store, process, and or transmit cardholder data, then becoming PCI DSS compliant is a must. Are you a merchant or service provider located in the Dalla area and need assistance with PCI compliance, then talk to the experts today at NDB, Texas’ leading PCI-QSAC firm.

Call NDB today at 512-522-4943 (Austin), 214-272-0967 (Dallas), or at 713-331-5492 (Houston) to learn more about NDB’s PCI services, or email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to discuss your PCI DSS compliance needs.

Comprehensive PCI DSS Services for Dallas Businesses

NDB offers the following PCI DSS compliance services and solutions to Dallas merchants and service providers.

PCI DSS Scoping & Readiness Assessments: The very best way to ensure PCI DSS compliance is obtained quickly and cost-effectively performing an upfront PCI DSS Scoping & Readiness. NDB has completed hundreds of readiness assessments for merchants and service providers all throughout Texas, and we can also help you. The benefits of such an assessment include the following:

Looking for a SOC 2 for Dummies guide (and we’re not saying you’re dumb!), rather, you need a guide that cuts through the complexities of what a SOC 2 audit is?

If so, then welcome to the SOC 2 for Dummies pages, courtesy of NDB, North America’s leading provider of SOC 2 Type 1 and SOC 2 Type 2 audit assessments.

With that said, if you’re new to the world of SOC 2 compliance, take note of the following points for gaining a greater understanding of what it really takes to get ready – and become – SOC 2 compliant.

1. Know What the SOC 2 Framework is all About and What it Isn’t.
2. Find an Auditor who Truly Knows Your Industry.
3. Get Started with a Scoping & Readiness Assessment.
4. Determine which TSP’s are in Scope.
5. Understand that Remediation is Critical to becoming SOC 2 Compliant.
6. Remediate!
7. Be Aware that SOC 2 Compliance is NOT an Overnight Process.
8. It is an Annual Requirement (at least for most service organizations).

SOC 2 for Dummies – What you Need to Know

(1). Know What the SOC 2 Framework is all About and What it Isn’t.

So, what is SOC 2 Plainly speaking? SOC 2 is an assessment conducted on an organization’s internal control environment. So, what’s internal controls? It’s essentially an organization’s policies, procedures, and processes. SOC 2 has become one of the most widely accepted and well-known regulatory compliance assessments performed on service organizations.

So, what’s a service organization? It’s an organization that essentially offers services to another company. Think Software as a Service (SaaS) providers, e-commerce businesses, data centers – almost any organization that’s providing essential services to another business.

Looking for a SOC 2 for Dummies, well, if you’re new to the world of SOC 2 compliance, take note of the following points for gaining a greater understanding of what it really takes to get ready – and become – SOC 2 compliant.

Call NDB today at 512-522-4943 (Austin), 214-272-0967 (Dallas), or at 713-331-5492 (Houston) to learn more about NDB’s SOC 2 services, or email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to discuss your audit & compliance needs.

NDB offers comprehensive SOC 2 compliance audits & assessments for Houston service organizations seeking to become SOC 2 Type 1 and/or SOC 2 Type 2 compliant.

The regulatory compliance landscape has changed dramatically in recent years, with more and more companies requiring to undergo an annual SOC 2 audit.

When it comes to expertise, value, fixed-fees, and so much more, we are Texas’ leading provider of SOC 2 Type 1 and SOC 2 Type 2 services. Being just an auditor is not what our company is about – not at all – it’s about offering the very best SOC 2 services at the very best prices. We’ve helped hundreds of service organizations all throughout Houston – and Texas – in becoming, and staying, SOC 2 compliant, and we can help you also.

Texas’ Leading Provider of SOC 2 Audits - Austin, Dallas, Houston

SOC 2 Services offered for Houston, Texas businesses include the following:

SOC 2 Scoping & Readiness Assessments: Before Houston businesses can even begin to think about earning coveted SOC 2 compliance, it’s important to note that a SOC 2 Scoping & Readiness Assessment is essential on the front end. When performed correctly, a SOC 2 Scoping & Readiness assessment helps define scope, identify control gaps & weaknesses, and much more. It’s an essential part of any SOC 2 audit, and NDB offers such services at fixed fees.

NDB offers industry leading SOC 2 compliance audits & assessments for Houston businesses looking to earn SOC 2 Type 1 and SOC 2 Type 2 compliance from an accredited Certified Public Accounting (CPA) firm.

The regulatory compliance landscape has dramatically shifted in recent years, ultimately forcing businesses (i.e., service organizations) to undergo yearly SOC 2 audits.

NDB is Houston’s leading provider of SOC 2 Type 1 and SOC 2 Type 2 services, having assisted hundreds of service organizations all throughout Houston – and Texas – in becoming, and maintaining SOC 2 compliance.

NDB offers the following SOC 2 services for Houston Businesses

SOC 2 Scoping & Readiness Assessments: Beginning your audit the right way means performing a SOC 2 Scoping & Readiness assessment at the front end of the audit. The benefits of such an assessment are noticeable indeed; a clearer understanding of the overall audit process and scope, what gaps and deficiencies need to be corrected, what milestones and related deliverables need to be agreed on, and more. Without performing a SOC 2 Scoping & Readiness assessment, you’re jeopardizing the overall success of the audit, so please keep this in mind.

NDB has performed hundreds of SOC 2 Scoping & Readiness Assessments, so contact us today to learn more about our proven solutions for Houston service organizations. You can contact NDB today at 512-522-4943 (Austin), 214-272-0967 (Dallas), or at 713-331-5492 (Houston) or email Christopher Nickell, CPA, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to receive a fixed-fee quote.