What’s the difference between SOC 2 Type 2 and TISAX: which one should your IT company choose

If you’re a business owner in the information technology sector in Central Asian countries, you’ve most likely already come across information security requirements from your international partners. Sooner or later, mysterious abbreviations appear on the horizon — SOC 2 Type 2 and TISAX. What are they? Why are they needed? And most importantly — how do they differ?

This article is a simple and clear guide to the differences between these two approaches to data protection, helping you make the right choice for your company.

What is SOC 2 Type 2

SOC 2 (Service Organisation Control 2) is a standard developed by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). It focuses on five key principles: security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy. In the business world, special attention is given to Type 2 — a deeper and more comprehensive assessment.

SOC 2 Type 2 doesn’t just check whether a company has certain policies and procedures in place. It evaluates how effectively those policies are actually implemented and followed over a specific period of time (usually 3 to 12 months). This makes it especially valuable when working with international clients, particularly in the United States.

What is TISAX

TISAX (Trusted Information Security Assessment Exchange) is a standard originally developed for the automotive industry, but today it is widely used across a broad range of technology companies, particularly in Europe. It is based on the requirements of ISO/IEC 27001 but tailored to the specifics of handling confidential information within supply chains.

TISAX certification is especially relevant for suppliers and contractors working with major automotive manufacturers or companies dealing with sensitive information, including prototypes and customers’ personal data.

Key differences between SOC 2 Type 2 and TISAX

At first glance, both approaches deal with information security. However, they have different objectives, assessment methods, and areas of application. Let’s take a look at the key distinctions.

SOC 2 Type 2:

Based on American standards (AICPA).
Assesses compliance with five Trust Service Principles.
The report is produced by an independent auditor.
Commonly required for audits in IT organisations, especially when entering the US market.
Not a certification in the traditional sense, but an auditor’s report.

TISAX:

Based on European regulations and ISO 27001.
Standardised for the automotive industry and supply chains.
Involves registration with the ENX network and accredited assessment.
Results in a TISAX assessment, recognised by all participants in the ecosystem.
Strong focus on the protection of prototypes, processing of personal data, and access control.

What to Choose: SOC 2 Type 2 or TISAX?

The choice between SOC 2 Type 2 and TISAX depends on the nature of your business, the geography of your clients, and your partners' requirements. Here’s a quick comparison to guide you:

Choose SOC 2 Type 2 if:

You work with American or international IT companies.
You provide cloud services or handle user data.
You require an audit that confirms the actual implementation of security policies within IT organisations.
Your company plans to enter the US market or cooperate with major Western tech corporations.

Choose TISAX certification if:

Your clients include manufacturing, engineering, or automotive companies.
You are required to demonstrate compliance with European information security standards.
You work with prototypes, confidential documentation, or personal data.
Your goal is to become part of the TISAX ecosystem, which includes leading companies across Europe.

Real Case: Implementing SOC 2 in Kazakhstan

Implementing SOC 2 in Kazakhstan is becoming increasingly in demand. This is particularly relevant for companies operating in SaaS, fintech, data processing, and outsourced development — where information security has a direct impact on client and partner trust. The absence of proper certification can be a serious barrier to entering international markets, especially in the US and Canada, where access control, data protection, and incident management requirements have long been industry standards.

One example is a Kazakhstani IT company offering a cloud-based CRM platform for international clients. For several years, it successfully served customers across the CIS region, but faced difficulties expanding into the North American market. A potential partner — a major SaaS solutions distributor from Toronto — declined cooperation after a due diligence review, citing the company’s lack of a SOC 2 Type 2 report.

To resolve the issue, the company turned to System Management for consulting support. During the initial phase, specialists conducted a rapid audit of the existing processes and identified weaknesses: lack of formalised incident management procedures, outdated access policies, and fragmented system monitoring.

As part of the preparation, the following steps were taken:

Policies for access management, risk control, and incident response were implemented and documented;
Logging, event monitoring, and regular audit processes were established;
The team was trained on security standards and SOC 2 requirements;
An internal audit and an external pre-certification review were carried out.

After nine months, the company successfully passed the audit and received a SOC 2 Type 2 report from an independent auditor. This not only allowed them to resume negotiations with the Canadian partner but also gave them a competitive edge — in the following quarter, they signed three new international contracts with clients from the US and Europe.

Companies that undergo a SOC 2 Type 2 audit demonstrate not only compliance but also a commitment to investing in a sustainable, mature, and well-managed security system. In the eyes of partners, this is one of the key indicators of reliability.

What to consider when choosing a standard

Before starting preparation for an audit or certification, it’s important to ask yourself a few key questions:

Where are your clients and partners located — in the US or in Europe?
What kind of data do you process — user data, prototypes, or personal information?
What does your customer require — an auditor’s report or inclusion in a specific platform (such as ENX for TISAX)?
Is your company ready for a systematic transformation of its security processes?

How to prepare for certification

Preparing for any of these assessments is not a quick process — but it is entirely manageable. The key is to find a reliable partner. System Management offers professional consulting services and support with the implementation of SOC 2, as well as guidance through the TISAX certification process. We support you at every stage — from initial risk assessment to communication with auditors.

You can learn more about each standard and request our services via the links below:

If you have any questions or would like to begin your preparation, don’t hesitate to get in touch. The experts at System Management will help you move from uncertainty to certified trust.