A tailored course, built for your situation
Direct ownership of the SOC 2 audit lifecycle from scoping to sign-off
A 199 course for technical architects leading assurance outcomes
$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 technical architect operating at the intersection of systems design and compliance readiness, with exposure to audit cycles and cross-functional assurance teams.
Who this is not for
Junior compliance coordinators, entry-level auditors, or professionals without hands-on involvement in SOC 2 or equivalent control frameworks.
What you walk away with
- Own end-to-end planning and execution of SOC 2 Type I and Type II audits
- Lead scoping discussions with legal, security, and engineering teams using proven templates
- Map architectural decisions directly to SOC 2 trust service criteria with confidence
- Anticipate auditor line-of-inquiry patterns and prepare evidence packages proactively
- Drive internal consensus on control boundaries without escalation delays
The 12 modules (with all 144 chapters)
Module 1. Defining SOC 2 scope with technical precision
Learn how to distinguish between in-scope systems, services, and data flows using real audit boundary examples. Avoid over-scoping or gaps that delay readiness.
12 chapters in this module
- What systems count as in-scope
- Service boundary identification
- Data residency and custody rules
- Shared responsibility mapping
- Vendor inclusion logic
- On-prem vs cloud log handling
- User access scope limits
- API endpoints as control points
- Legacy system exceptions
- Multi-geo data routing
- Customer data handling paths
- Audit trail retention tiers
Module 2. Aligning architecture to trust service criteria
Translate design choices into evidence-ready mappings for security, availability, confidentiality, and privacy. Use framework-native language auditors accept.
12 chapters in this module
- Security criterion mapping
- Availability SLA alignment
- Confidentiality tagging standards
- Privacy data lifecycle links
- Encryption in transit proof
- Access review frequency rules
- Role-based access logic
- Change management triggers
- Incident response integration
- Data minimization examples
- Retention policy enforcement
- Audit logging completeness
Module 3. Control design for audit readiness
Build technical controls that pass auditor scrutiny the first time. Focus on observable, repeatable, and documented behaviours.
12 chapters in this module
- Automated log aggregation
- User provisioning workflows
- Secret rotation cadence
- Network segmentation proof
- Endpoint protection validation
- Backup recovery testing
- Patching compliance tracking
- Pen test result handling
- Third-party risk inputs
- Configuration drift alerts
- Asset inventory accuracy
- Policy exception logging
Module 4. Evidence planning across the audit cycle
Schedule and structure evidence collection to reduce last-minute scrambles. Know what artefacts are needed and when.
12 chapters in this module
- Quarterly review calendars
- Monthly access logs archive
- Annual attestation timing
- Pen test report deadlines
- Vendor SOC 2 collection
- Internal audit coordination
- Change log windows
- System uptime tracking
- Incident logs retention
- DR drill documentation
- Policy version control
- Training completion proof
Module 5. Stakeholder alignment on control scope
Lead conversations with security, legal, and engineering to lock in boundaries. Use decision logs to prevent rework.
12 chapters in this module
- Facilitating scoping workshops
- Documenting control ownership
- Resolving boundary disputes
- Legal team input integration
- Engineering feasibility checks
- Security policy alignment
- Change control inclusion
- Third-party review rules
- Audit scope sign-off process
- Version-controlled scope doc
- Stakeholder communication plan
- Escalation path definition
Module 6. Working effectively with audit firms
Understand auditor expectations, request patterns, and review cycles. Reduce back-and-forth with precise responses.
12 chapters in this module
- Auditor inquiry types
- Request for evidence templates
- Response formatting standards
- Sample selection logic
- Testing sufficiency rules
- Control operating effectiveness
- Deficiency classification
- Remediation timelines
- Management representation letters
- Audit timelines alignment
- Follow-up question prep
- Final report review
Module 7. Building durable control artefacts
Create SOPs, playbooks, and dashboards that survive team changes and scale across systems.
12 chapters in this module
- Runbook for access reviews
- Automated evidence dashboards
- Control narrative templates
- Policy version history
- Architecture decision records
- Incident post-mortem format
- Change approval logs
- Backup verification reports
- DR test result records
- Vendor assessment archives
- Training completion logs
- Audit trail retention proof
Module 8. Managing Type I vs Type II differences
Adapt planning and execution for point-in-time vs ongoing audits. Know what evidence differs and why.
12 chapters in this module
- Point-in-time assessment rules
- Ongoing monitoring proof
- Test frequency requirements
- Change during period handling
- User access snapshot timing
- Log retention across cycles
- Incident inclusion scope
- Pen test validity window
- Policy enforcement checks
- Backup test frequency
- DR drill timing rules
- Management assertion timing
Module 9. Handling deficiencies and findings
Respond to auditor feedback with structured remediation plans. Avoid overcommitting or misrepresenting fixes.
12 chapters in this module
- Deficiency classification levels
- Remediation plan structure
- Evidence of fix validation
- Timeline commitment rules
- Management override logs
- Compensating control use
- Risk acceptance process
- Exception tracking dashboard
- Follow-up testing prep
- Audit firm revalidation
- Status reporting format
- Legal disclosure review
Module 10. Driving internal audit preparedness
Institutionalize readiness so new systems inherit compliance by design. Reduce future lift.
12 chapters in this module
- Onboarding checklist creation
- Architecture review integration
- Pre-audit mock cycles
- Control template reuse
- Cross-team training sessions
- Readiness maturity scoring
- Gap assessment automation
- Audit readiness KPIs
- Lessons learned logging
- Tooling standardization
- Vendor onboarding flow
- Change advisory board role
Module 11. Extending influence beyond technical scope
Position yourself as the go-to resource for assurance design. Gain mandate through demonstrated command.
12 chapters in this module
- Leading cross-functional workshops
- Presenting to senior leaders
- Translating risk for non-tech
- Policy drafting contribution
- Board-level summary prep
- External auditor liaison
- Third-party assessment input
- M&A due diligence role
- New market entry compliance
- Customer assurance responses
- Sales team support in deals
- PR crisis control proof
Module 12. Sustaining control maturity over time
Keep controls relevant amid system changes. Institutionalize updates without constant rework.
12 chapters in this module
- Change impact assessment
- Control adaptation process
- Architecture drift monitoring
- Quarterly control reviews
- Annual refresh cycles
- New tech integration rules
- Cloud migration adjustments
- Vendor change management
- Policy update workflows
- Team onboarding training
- Audit readiness dashboards
- Lessons from past audits
How this maps to your situation
- When launching a new cloud service under SOC 2
- Before the annual audit kickoff meeting
- After onboarding a new client requiring compliance proof
- During a merger or acquisition due diligence phase
Before vs. after
Before
Reliant on compliance teams to define scope and evidence, often reacting to auditor requests.
After
Proactively owns the SOC 2 lifecycle, driving technical decisions that satisfy control requirements from the start.
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 3-4 hours per module, designed for asynchronous completion over 6-8 weeks with full access retention.
How this compares to the alternatives
Unlike generic SOC 2 overviews or auditor-led training, this course is built for technical architects who must deliver evidence-ready systems , not just understand the framework.
Frequently asked
Who is this course for?
Senior technical architects who lead or influence SOC 2 compliance outcomes in their organizations.
How is the course structured?
12 modules, each containing 12 chapters (144 chapters total).
Is this aligned with AICPA standards?
Yes, all content reflects current AICPA guidance and common practices among qualified audit firms.
$199 one-time. Approximately 3-4 hours per module, designed for asynchronous completion over 6-8 weeks with full access retention..
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