SOC 3 is a public, general-use report based on the AICPA's Trust Services Criteria — the same criteria used for SOC 2. Unlike a SOC 2 report, which is restricted and detailed, a SOC 3 is a short, summary-level report that can be freely distributed, making it useful as a public trust artifact.

How is SOC 3 different from SOC 2?

Both evaluate controls against the Trust Services Criteria, but a SOC 2 report is detailed (including the auditor's tests and results) and shared under NDA with customers and prospects, while a SOC 3 omits those details and is general-use — you can publish it on your website. SOC 3 is typically issued from the same audit as a SOC 2 Type 2.

Do I need a separate audit for SOC 3?

Generally no. Most organizations obtain SOC 3 alongside their SOC 2 Type 2 from the same CPA firm, since both rely on the same controls and evidence over the same period.

Who should get a SOC 3?

SaaS and service organizations that want a public, shareable proof of their security posture — useful for marketing and for buyers who want assurance before they are far enough along to receive the full SOC 2 under NDA.

A public trust report

Publish a SOC 3 from your SOC 2 program

SOC 3 is the freely distributable, general-use version of SOC 2 — same Trust Services Criteria, summary form. Produce it from the control evidence you already maintain.

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What is SOC 3?

SOC 3 is a public, general-use report based on the AICPA's Trust Services Criteria — the same criteria that underpin SOC 2. The difference is the audience and the level of detail: a SOC 2 report is restricted and includes the auditor's detailed description of controls and test results, shared with customers under NDA, while a SOC 3 is a short, summary-level report you can freely distribute — post it on your website, hand it to any prospect, no NDA required.

How it relates to SOC 2

A SOC 3 is built on the same controls, evidence, and audit period as a SOC 2 Type 2 and is issued by the same CPA firm. In practice, organizations that already pursue SOC 2 add SOC 3 as a public-facing companion at little additional cost — it is not a separate program.

Why publish one

SOC 3 is a practical trust and marketing asset. It lets you demonstrate that an independent CPA firm examined your controls against the Trust Services Criteria without exposing the sensitive detail in your SOC 2. That makes it ideal for top-of-funnel sales, public trust pages, and buyers who want assurance early.

How episki helps

A SOC 3 report is the public face of your SOC 2 work, and episki keeps both fed from the same controls and evidence. The Trust module adds a branded trust center where the report sits alongside NDA-gated documents and agent-answered questionnaires, with the portal theme inlined into the first paint so it never flashes episki's colors. Start a free trial or book a demo.

SOC 3 outcomes with episki

Quantify the impact security and compliance brings to your business.

General use

A public report you can post on your website — no NDA required.

Same TSC

Built on the same Trust Services Criteria as SOC 2.

One audit

Typically issued alongside a SOC 2 Type 2 by the same CPA firm.

Why teams choose episki for SOC 3

Framework-specific automation, collaboration, and reporting in one workspace.

SOC 2's public sibling

SOC 3 reports against the same criteria, in a shareable summary form.

Same Trust Services Criteria as SOC 2
Summary report without detailed test results
Freely distributable to anyone

A marketing-ready artifact

Hand prospects proof of your controls without the NDA dance.

Post it publicly on your trust page
Speeds up early sales conversations
Backs up your SOC 2 for buyers who can't see it

No extra program

SOC 3 reuses your SOC 2 work end to end.

Same controls and evidence as SOC 2
Issued by the same CPA firm
Crosswalk to ISO 27001 and CSA STAR

SOC 3 readiness inside episki

What you need to add a SOC 3 to your SOC 2.

Plug episki into your stack and work directly from this checklist during the free trial.

✓ SOC 2 Type 2 program in place
✓ Trust Services Criteria scoped (Security + any others)
✓ Control evidence current and complete
✓ CPA firm engaged for SOC 2 / SOC 3
✓ Public trust-page placement for the report
✓ Crosswalks to ISO 27001 and CSA STAR

SOC 3 accelerators

Turn your SOC 2 work into a public trust asset.

TSC evidence library

The same control evidence that supports your SOC 2.

Trust-page publishing

Place the general-use SOC 3 where prospects can find it.

SOC 2 crosswalk

Reuse your SOC 2 program directly for SOC 3.

SOC 3 frequently asked questions

Add a SOC 3 in episki

Reuse your SOC 2 controls to publish a general-use trust report.

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