SOC 2 (System and Organization Controls 2) is an auditing standard developed by the AICPA. It evaluates a company’s ability to protect customer data based on five Trust Service Criteria: Security, Availability, Processing Integrity, Confidentiality, and Privacy. SOC 2 compliance is particularly important for SaaS providers and technology companies handling client information. On the other hand, the NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) Cybersecurity Framework is a set of best practices, guidelines, and controls aimed at strengthening an organization’s security posture. It is widely adopted by government agencies and private sector companies. Unlike SOC 2, which results in an attestation report, NIST is more of a self-assessment tool that helps businesses align with cybersecurity best practices.