A tailored course, built for your situation
Mastering SOC 2 for Associate Practitioners in Assurance and Automation
Build repeatable, audit-ready artefacts with confidence using a structured approach to SOC 2 compliance.
$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.
Struggling to translate automation scripts into auditor-accepted evidence? Most associates still rely on manual follow-ups and version-chasing.
The situation this course is for
Even with strong tooling like Tosca and Mabl, compliance handoffs fail when evidence isn't structured for audit scrutiny. Teams lose credibility when control narratives don't align across platforms, and associates get stuck in feedback loops instead of owning outcomes.
Who this is for
Associate-level practitioners in Big 4 assurance or internal audit teams who use automation tools but lack formal SOC 2 implementation frameworks.
Who this is not for
Executives looking for high-level compliance overviews, or engineers focused solely on product security without audit deliverables.
What you walk away with
- Deliver auditor-ready SOC 2 evidence packages on the first submission
- Own the control mapping process from design to validation without senior oversight
- Integrate Tosca and Mabl outputs directly into compliance workflows
- Become the default recipient for M&A-related compliance escalations
- Produce a documented, reusable implementation playbook for future audits
The 12 modules (with all 144 chapters)
Module 1. Understanding SOC 2 Scope and Trust Services Criteria
Define system boundaries and map services to Security, Availability, Processing Integrity, Confidentiality, and Privacy.
12 chapters in this module
- What triggers a SOC 2 audit
- Service organization vs user entity
- System description fundamentals
- Trust Services Criteria overview
- Determining applicability
- Control objectives by category
- Common misconceptions
- Auditor expectations
- Evidence types by criterion
- Documentation hierarchy
- Version control basics
- Stakeholder alignment
Module 2. Control Design for Automated Environments
Design preventive and detective controls that integrate directly with CI/CD pipelines and test automation.
12 chapters in this module
- Control types defined
- Automated vs manual controls
- Tosca integration points
- Mabl test coverage mapping
- Control frequency planning
- Input validation strategies
- Authentication mechanisms
- Access review automation
- Change management controls
- Logging and monitoring
- Exception handling
- Control ownership assignment
Module 3. Evidence Collection Using Test Automation
Convert Tosca and Mabl outputs into standardized, auditor-acceptable evidence artefacts.
12 chapters in this module
- Test logs as audit evidence
- Timestamping requirements
- Environment isolation
- Role-based execution
- Data masking for PII
- Screenshot standards
- Log export formats
- Signature workflows
- Version reconciliation
- Tool validation records
- Error handling logs
- Retention policies
Module 4. Developing the System Description
Write a clear, concise narrative that auditors approve without revisions.
12 chapters in this module
- Structure of the system description
- Service offerings section
- System components overview
- Infrastructure description
- Software architecture
- People processes
- Data flow diagrams
- Third-party dependencies
- Subservice organizations
- Complementary user controls
- Change log maintenance
- Approval workflows
Module 5. Control Mapping to Trust Services Criteria
Link each control to specific TSC points with documented rationale and testing approach.
12 chapters in this module
- Control-to-criterion matrix
- Security principle mapping
- Availability benchmarks
- Processing integrity examples
- Confidentiality safeguards
- Privacy controls
- Rationale writing
- Testing methodology
- Automation coverage metrics
- Gaps assessment
- Mitigation planning
- Senior reviewer input
Module 6. Pre-Audit Readiness Checklists
Run internal validation cycles that mirror actual auditor review patterns.
12 chapters in this module
- Checklist structure
- Completeness verification
- Evidence labeling
- Version matching
- Control operating effectively
- Period coverage
- User access reviews
- Incident logs
- Patch management
- Change approvals
- Vendor attestations
- Final pre-submission review
Module 7. Working with Auditors and Responding to Requests
Anticipate auditor questions and deliver precise responses in audit-facing formats.
12 chapters in this module
- Auditor communication norms
- Request tracking
- Response templates
- Evidence packaging
- Follow-up protocols
- Deficiency classification
- Remediation timelines
- Management response writing
- Status reporting
- Sign-off procedures
- Post-audit actions
- Relationship building
Module 8. Integrating SOC 2 with DevOps Pipelines
Embed compliance checks into development workflows to reduce last-minute fixes.
12 chapters in this module
- CI/CD integration points
- Automated control triggers
- Static code analysis
- Infrastructure as code
- Container security
- Pipeline logging
- Pull request gates
- Artifact signing
- Rollback procedures
- Environment parity
- Secrets management
- Audit trail generation
Module 9. Creating Reusable Compliance Templates
Build a library of templates that compound efficiency across engagements.
12 chapters in this module
- Template inventory
- Control description format
- Evidence collection sheet
- System description sections
- Checklist versions
- Workflow diagrams
- RACI matrices
- Meeting minutes
- Training records
- Policy references
- Glossary terms
- Version control log
Module 10. Handling M&A and Regulator-Facing Reviews
Position yourself as the owner of time-sensitive, high-stakes compliance deliverables.
12 chapters in this module
- Due diligence requests
- Fast-track evidence
- Integration planning
- Regulatory review prep
- Escalation protocols
- Cross-team coordination
- Executive summaries
- Risk tolerance alignment
- Disclosure limits
- Legal hold procedures
- Review cycles
- Final package delivery
Module 11. Maintaining Compliance Between Audits
Operationalize ongoing monitoring to avoid compliance decay.
12 chapters in this module
- Ongoing testing schedule
- Quarterly reviews
- Change impact analysis
- Incident response
- Policy updates
- Training refresh
- Vendor monitoring
- Internal audits
- Tool updates
- Stakeholder updates
- Risk register
- Lessons learned
Module 12. Building Your Personal Implementation Playbook
Assemble a living document that evolves with your career and ensures continuity.
12 chapters in this module
- Playbook structure
- Control inventory
- Evidence sources
- Tool configurations
- Contact list
- Audit history
- Lessons learned
- Template library
- Version control
- Success indicators
- Ownership transfer
- Refinement process
How this maps to your situation
- First-time SOC 2 preparation
- Automation-integrated compliance
- M&A due diligence support
- Regulator-facing documentation
Before vs. after
Before
Relying on ad-hoc evidence collection and reactive responses to auditor requests.
After
Confidently delivering complete, version-controlled SOC 2 packages that close quickly and position you for high-visibility work.
What's included with your purchase
- 12 modules with 12 chapters each (144 chapters total)
- 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 3-4 hours per module, with modular access allowing you to focus on immediate priorities first.
If nothing changes
Without a structured approach, even strong technical work gets lost in audit cycles , delaying sign-offs, reducing trust, and keeping critical M&A work out of your hands.
How this compares to the alternatives
Unlike generic compliance overviews, this course delivers practitioner-specific workflows that integrate directly with Tosca and Mabl, ensuring automation effort translates to audit-ready outcomes.
Frequently asked
Is this course relevant if I don't do full SOC 2 audits?
Yes. Many teams need SOC 2 evidence for M&A, vendor reviews, or internal governance , this course prepares you for those deliverables.
How is the course structured?
12 modules, each containing 12 chapters (144 chapters total).
Will this work with my current tools?
Yes. Course templates and workflows are designed to integrate directly with Tosca, Mabl, Jira, and common audit platforms.
$199 one-time. Approximately 3-4 hours per module, with modular access allowing you to focus on immediate priorities first..
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