A tailored course, built for your situation
Direct Sign Off Authority on SOC 2 Framework Decisions
Own the final call on scope boundaries controls evidence sourcing and auditor alignment
$199 one-time
24-hour access provisioning
30-day money-back guarantee
Hand-built implementation playbook
12 modules. 12 chapters per module. 144 chapters total.
12 modules, each with 12 chapters (144 chapters total), text-based, plus downloadable templates and a hand-built implementation playbook delivered alongside course access.
Who this is for
Senior compliance or assurance practitioner stepping into ownership of attestation frameworks
Who this is not for
Entry level staff consultants without decision rights or practitioners focused solely on audit execution not framework ownership
What you walk away with
- Final authority to set and adjust SOC 2 scope without escalation
- Control over evidence selection and sufficiency thresholds
- Ownership of control mapping updates between cycles
- Direct sign off on auditor findings and narrative responses
- Ability to finalize framework changes ahead of renewal
The 12 modules (with all 144 chapters)
Module 1. Defining Scope Boundaries
Learn how to independently assess system boundaries and trust service criteria inclusion based on client risk profile and service delivery model
12 chapters in this module
- Mapping system components to AICPA criteria
- Identifying in scope vs out of scope services
- Setting boundaries for multi tenant environments
- Documenting architectural cutoff points
- Assessing third party dependencies
- Evaluating subservice organization inclusion
- Setting data flow perimeter definitions
- Validating boundary completeness
- Handling edge case integrations
- Updating scope after environment changes
- Justifying scope to stakeholders
- Version controlling scope documentation
Module 2. Selecting Evidence Sources
Master the selection and validation of evidence types that satisfy auditor expectations without overburdening operations
12 chapters in this module
- Matching controls to evidence types
- Evaluating log completeness and retention
- Choosing monitoring over manual checks
- Validating automated evidence pipelines
- Sampling frequency benchmarks
- Assessing screenshot adequacy
- Using ticketing system exports
- Leveraging SIEM for continuous monitoring
- Accepting third party attestations
- Setting evidence sufficiency thresholds
- Handling evidence gaps preemptively
- Documenting evidence rationale
Module 3. Finalizing Control Mappings
Build confidence in your ability to independently update and defend control mappings across all five trust service criteria
12 chapters in this module
- Linking controls to security principles
- Mapping access controls to SOC 2 requirements
- Updating mappings for new systems
- Aligning change management to CC7 1
- Connecting incident response to CC4 2
- Verifying completeness across criteria
- Handling overlapping control coverage
- Using RACI to assign ownership
- Documenting control design rationale
- Updating mappings after auditor feedback
- Version tracking control changes
- Defending mappings under challenge
Module 4. Managing Auditor Relationships
Take full ownership of the auditor interaction lifecycle from planning to reporting
12 chapters in this module
- Setting audit timelines and milestones
- Selecting auditor engagement leads
- Defining fieldwork windows
- Prioritizing auditor requests
- Reviewing draft findings internally
- Negotiating finding severity levels
- Aligning responses to business impact
- Finalizing management letters
- Approving report distribution
- Scheduling follow up reviews
- Managing auditor performance
- Setting reengagement terms
Module 5. Setting Control Objectives
Define and adjust control objectives to reflect current risk posture and operational reality
12 chapters in this module
- Baseline control objective definition
- Updating for cloud migration
- Adjusting for new regulatory input
- Incorporating third party risk
- Aligning to business continuity plans
- Setting thresholds for availability
- Defining acceptable downtime windows
- Establishing encryption standards
- Setting access review frequency
- Adjusting for M A activity
- Validating control relevance
- Retiring obsolete controls
Module 6. Owning Risk Assessments
Lead the risk identification and evaluation process that informs control design and testing scope
12 chapters in this module
- Identifying threat vectors by system
- Assessing likelihood and impact
- Prioritizing high risk areas
- Mapping risks to trust criteria
- Updating assessments quarterly
- Incorporating incident data
- Using risk registers
- Setting risk tolerance levels
- Aligning with business units
- Escalating extreme risks
- Documenting assessment rationale
- Version controlling risk inputs
Module 7. Directing Remediation Plans
Take charge of post audit actions including timelines resourcing and success metrics
12 chapters in this module
- Classifying finding severity
- Setting remediation deadlines
- Assigning ownership to teams
- Tracking progress weekly
- Validating fix effectiveness
- Adjusting timelines for complexity
- Waiving controls with justification
- Documenting compensating controls
- Reporting up to leadership
- Integrating fixes into change control
- Closing findings with auditors
- Auditing remediation quality
Module 8. Leading Readiness Reviews
Orchestrate internal evaluations to ensure audit readiness without external prompting
12 chapters in this module
- Scheduling pre audit check ins
- Running control walkthroughs
- Testing evidence availability
- Simulating auditor Q A
- Identifying gap areas
- Prioritizing fixes pre fieldwork
- Running dry runs
- Validating documentation flow
- Checking retention policies
- Reviewing access logs
- Confirming change approvals
- Final readiness sign off
Module 9. Managing Framework Updates
Own the evolution of the SOC 2 framework in response to changes in technology business or compliance expectations
12 chapters in this module
- Tracking AICPA updates
- Assessing impact of new criteria
- Planning phased implementation
- Aligning updates to renewal cycle
- Communicating changes to teams
- Retraining process owners
- Updating documentation sets
- Testing revised controls
- Obtaining sign offs
- Archiving old versions
- Publishing change logs
- Auditing update completeness
Module 10. Setting Evidence Thresholds
Define what constitutes acceptable evidence across control types and systems
12 chapters in this module
- Setting sample size guidelines
- Defining log retention standards
- Approving automation scripts
- Accepting API outputs
- Validating screenshot context
- Setting screenshot frequency
- Using monitoring dashboards
- Leveraging ticketing history
- Accepting third party attestations
- Setting thresholds for completeness
- Handling partial evidence
- Documenting exceptions
Module 11. Finalizing Management Assertions
Take ownership of the formal assertions letter and supporting documentation
12 chapters in this module
- Drafting scope statements
- Confirming system descriptions
- Validating control operation
- Attesting to accuracy
- Reviewing by leadership
- Setting assertion version control
- Archiving supporting evidence
- Linking to control mappings
- Updating after changes
- Approving final wording
- Signing as responsible party
- Distributing to auditors
Module 12. Owning Renewal Strategy
Lead the planning and execution of SOC 2 renewals with confidence and independence
12 chapters in this module
- Setting renewal timeline
- Assessing scope changes
- Updating control mappings
- Running pre renewal checks
- Scheduling auditor fieldwork
- Managing evidence collection
- Reviewing draft reports
- Negotiating findings
- Finalizing assertions
- Distributing final report
- Communicating results
- Planning next cycle
How this maps to your situation
- Preparing for first SOC 2 audit
- Taking over from external consultant
- Scaling team to handle multiple clients
- Moving from advisory to ownership role
Before vs. after
Before
Relies on senior review for control decisions and auditor responses
After
Holds final sign off on framework scope mappings and findings
What's included with your purchase
- 12 modules with 12 chapters each (144 chapters)
- Downloadable templates and worked examples for every module
- Hand-built implementation playbook delivered alongside course access
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Delivery and format
- Course and learning environment access provisioned within 24 hours of purchase
- Hand-built implementation playbook delivered alongside course access
Format: Text-based modules and chapters in the Art of Service learning environment, plus downloadable templates and worked examples for every chapter, plus the hand-built implementation playbook delivered alongside course access.
Time investment: Approximately 3 hours per module, designed to be completed alongside active SOC 2 cycles
If nothing changes
Continuing to escalate key decisions slows attestation cycles and limits visibility into framework ownership
How this compares to the alternatives
Unlike generic compliance courses, this program focuses exclusively on the decision rights and artefacts that define SOC 2 ownership, giving you the specific authority builders others overlook
Frequently asked
Who is this course for?
Senior practitioners ready to own the SOC 2 framework without escalation, especially those transitioning from advisory to ownership roles.
How is the course structured?
12 modules, each containing 12 chapters (144 chapters total).
Does this cover ISO 27001 as well?
No, this course focuses exclusively on SOC 2 framework ownership and decision rights.
$199 one-time. Approximately 3 hours per module, designed to be completed alongside active SOC 2 cycles.
Within 24 hours your account in the learning environment is provisioned and the tailored implementation playbook is delivered alongside it.
30-day money-back guarantee·
144 chapters·
Hand-built playbook included·
Account access within 24 hours