SOC 2 is a compliance framework developed by the AICPA that evaluates an organization's controls for security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy.
SOC 2
SOC 2 is a compliance framework developed by the AICPA that evaluates an organization's controls for security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy.
Why It Matters
SOC 2 compliance is a prerequisite for most enterprise sales. It requires demonstrating controls for credential management, access control, audit logging, and encryption — all areas where inadequate API key management creates audit findings.
How It Works
A SOC 2 audit evaluates whether an organization's controls meet the Trust Services Criteria across five categories. For API key management, auditors examine how credentials are stored, who has access, how access is revoked, and what audit trails exist.
Best Practices
- Encrypt all credentials at rest and in transit
- Maintain comprehensive audit logs of credential access
- Implement prompt credential revocation on employee departure
- Review access rights quarterly
Common Mistakes
- Treating SOC 2 as a one-time project rather than ongoing compliance
- Not having evidence of credential revocation during audits
- Manual access reviews that miss stale credentials
How ShieldKey Helps
ShieldKey provides SOC 2-relevant controls out of the box: AES-256-GCM encryption at rest, comprehensive audit logs, instant credential revocation, and role-based access control — all documented for your auditor.
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Does SOC 2 require API key encryption?
SOC 2 requires encryption for sensitive data (CC6.1). API keys fall under this requirement. Both encryption at rest and in transit are expected controls.