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Influence in cross-functional vendor selection through SOC 2 design authority

$199.00
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A tailored course, built for your situation

Influence in cross-functional vendor selection through SOC 2 design authority

Become the go-to practitioner for SOC 2 alignment in complex digital marketing ecosystems

$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

Digital marketing strategist in a global services firm who influences but doesn’t own compliance decisions

Who this is not for

Compliance auditors, junior coordinators, or practitioners focused solely on execution without cross-functional reach

What you walk away with

  • Own the SOC 2 readiness checklist used in pre-proposal platform evaluations
  • Be invited into technical vetting sessions for martech vendors
  • Present control mapping decisions directly to client security leads
  • Build repeatable templates that accelerate future bids
  • Anchor platform decisions in documented risk-reduction logic

The 12 modules (with all 144 chapters)

Module 1. Why SOC 2 is now a marketing procurement gate
Understand how SOC 2 has moved from a backend audit requirement to a front-line decision filter in martech vendor selection, especially in regulated client environments.
12 chapters in this module
  1. From compliance to competitive differentiator
  2. Client RFPs now include SOC 2 screening
  3. Marketing platforms under compliance scrutiny
  4. How the firm teams win on trust architecture
  5. Real cost of noncompliance in pitch cycles
  6. When procurement escalates to security
  7. Vendor questionnaires that trigger reviews
  8. How SOC 2 status influences shortlists
  9. Case: CDP platform rejected on control gaps
  10. Building credibility before the RFx starts
  11. Trust as a procurement accelerant
  12. Positioning early in the vendor funnel
Module 2. Mapping martech stacks to SOC 2 trust categories
Learn to classify marketing tools under SOC 2 common criteria based on data handling, access controls, and processing boundaries.
12 chapters in this module
  1. Identifying high-risk martech components
  2. Data flow through email platforms
  3. API access controls in automation tools
  4. SOC 2 relevance of A/B testing systems
  5. CRM integration and audit trails
  6. Consent management platform controls
  7. Cloud hosting models and shared responsibility
  8. Third-party subprocessor disclosures
  9. Logging requirements for ad platforms
  10. Encryption in transit for form handlers
  11. Access logs in personalization engines
  12. Control boundaries in serverless architectures
Module 3. Designing vendor evaluation checklists with SOC 2 in mind
Build repeatable checklists that procurement and security teams adopt for evaluating marketing technology vendors against SOC 2 expectations.
12 chapters in this module
  1. Common gaps in vendor SOC 2 reports
  2. Scoring vendor responses objectively
  3. Asking the right follow-ups on controls
  4. Template: Pre-vetting SOC 2 screening sheet
  5. How to handle 'not applicable' claims
  6. Time-to-remediate estimates for gaps
  7. Integrating checklists into bid workflows
  8. Aligning legal and security reviewers
  9. Flagging control omissions in Type 2 reports
  10. Using checklists as client-facing assets
  11. Versioning for different industries
  12. Reducing rework across engagements
Module 4. Building client-ready SOC 2 narratives for proposals
Craft compelling, technically accurate narratives that position your client’s marketing stack as inherently aligned with SOC 2 principles.
12 chapters in this module
  1. From technical detail to client value
  2. Avoiding overclaim in trust positioning
  3. Mapping controls to business outcomes
  4. Narrative: 'Why this stack passes audit'
  5. Visualizing control coverage clearly
  6. Tailoring depth for audience level
  7. Responses to security due diligence
  8. Using third-party attestations wisely
  9. Handling questions about gaps
  10. Maintaining truthfulness under pressure
  11. Differentiating through transparency
  12. Packaging narratives in client decks
Module 5. Creating reusable control artefacts for martech
Develop templates, diagrams, and documentation that can be reused across clients to demonstrate SOC 2-relevant controls in marketing systems.
12 chapters in this module
  1. Standard control mapping for email tools
  2. Template: Data processing agreement clause
  3. Visual control flow for personalization engines
  4. Repeating patterns across clients
  5. Maintaining version control
  6. Documenting access management design
  7. Logging and monitoring examples
  8. Encryption implementation sketches
  9. Incident response integration
  10. Change management for marketing tools
  11. Backup and retention policies
  12. Disaster recovery for campaign systems
Module 6. Leading cross-functional alignment on SOC 2 scope
Coordinate with security, infrastructure, and legal teams to define what’s in and out of SOC 2 scope for marketing platforms.
12 chapters in this module
  1. Facilitating control ownership discussions
  2. Clarifying shared responsibilities
  3. Mapping roles in joint systems
  4. Resolving boundary disputes early
  5. Documenting in-scope components
  6. Exclusions with justification
  7. Getting sign-off without delays
  8. Managing evolving platform boundaries
  9. When marketing owns the process
  10. When infrastructure controls apply
  11. Legal’s role in subprocessor oversight
  12. Building consensus on control design
Module 7. Conducting SOC 2 gap assessments for martech
Run structured assessments of marketing technology vendors against SOC 2 criteria to identify critical gaps and remediation paths.
12 chapters in this module
  1. Scoping the assessment correctly
  2. Mapping controls to trust service criteria
  3. Evaluating vendor documentation quality
  4. Identifying control omissions
  5. Assessing design vs operational effectiveness
  6. Rating severity of gaps
  7. Prioritizing remediation timelines
  8. Engaging vendors for clarification
  9. Documenting risk acceptance decisions
  10. Tracking closure across engagements
  11. Reporting up to leadership
  12. Using findings to shape future bids
Module 8. Designing SOC 2-compliant data flows in marketing systems
Architect data pathways in digital marketing stacks that inherently support SOC 2 control requirements.
12 chapters in this module
  1. Data collection with consent design
  2. Anonymization within campaign tools
  3. Secure data transfer between systems
  4. Auditable change logs
  5. Retention and deletion workflows
  6. Access controls for campaign analysts
  7. Segregation of duties in martech
  8. Monitoring for anomalous access
  9. Data processing agreements in practice
  10. Third-party data sharing risks
  11. Subprocessor transparency requirements
  12. Building compliance into CI/CD pipelines
Module 9. Positioning SOC 2 in client conversations
Communicate SOC 2 relevance confidently to client stakeholders, turning compliance into a strategic advantage.
12 chapters in this module
  1. When to bring up SOC 2 in discussions
  2. Framing it as risk reduction
  3. Avoiding technical overwhelm
  4. Linking controls to customer trust
  5. Client objections and responses
  6. Using examples from past engagements
  7. Positioning early in sales cycle
  8. Building trust through transparency
  9. Differentiating from competitors
  10. Handling requests for documentation
  11. Sharing artefacts selectively
  12. Maintaining credibility under scrutiny
Module 10. Building internal credibility as a SOC 2 resource
Establish yourself as the go-to person within the firm for martech SOC 2 questions, increasing your influence on deals.
12 chapters in this module
  1. Sharing templates across practitioners
  2. Presenting findings in internal forums
  3. Mentoring peers on control basics
  4. Publishing internal guides
  5. Getting invited to pre-bid meetings
  6. Building a reputation for reliability
  7. Contributing to practice standards
  8. Documenting lessons across projects
  9. Reducing rework through reuse
  10. Being cited as source in proposals
  11. Earning referrals from colleagues
  12. Shaping future methodology updates
Module 11. Integrating SOC 2 into proposal workflows
Embed SOC 2 consideration into the bid process so it becomes a default part of digital marketing strategy deliverables.
12 chapters in this module
  1. Checklist integration into bid templates
  2. Automating SOC 2 screening steps
  3. Assigning roles in proposal teams
  4. Setting deadlines for control inputs
  5. Reviewing proposals for compliance depth
  6. Using past artefacts to accelerate
  7. Aligning with pricing teams
  8. Highlighting SOC 2 in executive summaries
  9. Reducing last-minute scrambles
  10. Building client-specific variations
  11. Feedback loops from won deals
  12. Continuous improvement of content
Module 12. Maintaining and evolving SOC 2 positioning over time
Keep your SOC 2 knowledge and materials current as standards, platforms, and client needs evolve.
12 chapters in this module
  1. Tracking updates to SOC 2 criteria
  2. Monitoring changes in martech platforms
  3. Updating templates annually
  4. Version control for artefacts
  5. Knowledge sharing across regions
  6. Adapting to new client industries
  7. Responding to audit findings
  8. Learning from peer feedback
  9. Staying ahead of compliance shifts
  10. Iterating on narratives
  11. Documenting changes transparently
  12. Future-proofing your influence

How this maps to your situation

  • Client procurement review for new CDP
  • RFP response requiring SOC 2 narrative
  • Vendor selection meeting with security lead
  • Post-award alignment session on control ownership

Before vs. after

Before
Reactive input on compliance reviews, dependent on specialists, limited influence on platform decisions
After
Proactive design authority in vendor selection, trusted cross-functionally for SOC 2 guidance, embedded in procurement workflows

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 60-75 minutes per module, designed to be completed alongside active engagements.

If nothing changes
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How this compares to the alternatives

Unlike generic SOC 2 overviews, this course focuses specifically on marketing technology stacks and vendor selection influence, with templates and narratives tailored to global services practitioners.

Frequently asked

Is this course technical or strategic?
It’s strategic with technically accurate depth , designed for practitioners who need to influence decisions without being compliance auditors.
How is the course structured?
12 modules, each containing 12 chapters (144 chapters total).
Will I get templates I can use immediately?
Yes , every module includes downloadable, client-ready templates and worked examples.
$199 one-time. Approximately 60-75 minutes per module, designed to be completed alongside active engagements..

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
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