AICPA Cloud Computing Controls Endorsed by Security Group

The American Institute of CPA’s framework for evaluating technology-related controls and other safeguards used by cloud service providers has been endorsed by the Cloud Security Alliance (CSA), a not-for-profit organization that promotes the use of best practices on security assurance within cloud computing.

The AICPA’s reporting framework, known as Service Organization Control Reports, was developed in 2011 and consists of three major document types. The first – the SOC 1 report – deals with controls over financial reporting, and replaces the widely used SAS 70 report.

The SOC 2 report, meanwhile, focuses on controls that bear on a service provider’s security, processing integrity and operating availability, as well as the confidentiality and privacy of data moving through its systems. A third report, SOC 3, is a compressed version of the SOC 2 and is designed for public distribution.

In a position paper released today, the CSA said that for most cloud providers a SOC 2 report “is likely to meet the assurance and reporting needs of the majority of users of cloud services, when the criteria for the engagement are supplemented by the criteria in the Cloud Controls Matrix.” The Alliance said it made its determination after a “careful consideration of alternatives.”

“Technology-related compliance and operating integrity audits are becoming increasingly important as the adoption of cloud-based services become the norm for businesses,” said Jim Reavis, executive director of the CSA.

“The CSA Security Trust & Assurance Registry (STAR), serves as the standard for demonstrating transparent alignment with CSA security best practices and this paper is a major step forward in leveraging AICPA’s popular reporting framework to consolidate attestation requirements and layer third party trust on top of CSA STAR.”

The CSA’s position paper offers guidance to members on when a SOC 1 report is necessary, when a SOC 2 report is called for, and when both engagement types may be required. The document is the result of a close collaboration between the AICPA and the CSA, driven by their mutual goal of improving transparency and assurance in the cloud computing field.

“The cloud can create great efficiencies for businesses, but it also introduces challenges and complexities for those businesses and their stakeholders who rely on the information’s integrity, security and privacy,” said Susan Coffey, CPA, CGMA, senior vice president for public practice and global alliances.

“We’re delighted that the Cloud Security Alliance has given its stamp of approval to Service Organization Control Reports as a mechanism to meet this reporting challenge, as well as to complement the security principles in its Cloud Controls Matrix.”