How Hatteras Prepares for SOC 2 Audit

At Hatteras, secure communication isn’t just a service we provide; it’s a responsibility. As more companies rely on print and mail vendors to handle sensitive data, SOC 2 compliance has become one of the most important indicators of trust. What many clients don’t see is everything that happens behind the scenes to maintain that trust every day.

Who Developed SOC 2?

SOC 2 was developed by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) to help organizations demonstrate how they safeguard customer data. Unlike internal policies or self-reported security measures, SOC 2 is an independent, third-party audit based on clearly defined criteria known as the Trust Services Criteria: security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy.

SOC 2 vs. SOC 1: What’s the Difference?

While SOC 1 and SOC 2 are often mentioned together, they serve very different purposes:

• SOC 1 focuses on financial controls—specifically processes that impact a client’s financial reporting (such as payroll or accounting services).

• SOC 2 focuses on data security and operational controls, making it especially critical for companies that handle sensitive customer information.

For secure print and mail vendors, SOC 2 is the most relevant standard because it evaluates how data is protected from file transfer through production and delivery.

Does Your Print Vendor Need Both?

Not every print vendor needs both reports. If a vendor handles financial reporting processes, SOC 1 may be required. However, if they handle personally identifiable information, regulated data, or confidential communications, SOC 2 is essential.

At Hatteras, SOC 2 reflects the real risk profile of what we do—secure print, mail, and data-driven communications.

SOC 2 in Action at Hatteras

For a refresher, SOC 2 (Service Organization Control 2) verifies that a company has strong systems and processes in place to protect sensitive data. For secure print and mail vendors, this matters because we handle highly confidential information every day. SOC 2 gives our clients peace of mind that data is protected at every stage and that our organization maintains a true security-first culture.

Every month, the entire Hatteras team participates in comprehensive data and security training. This isn’t a quick online course. Employees learn real scenarios, real threats, and the real impact a single mistake could have on our clients. Whether someone works in prepress, digital print, IT, or the bindery, everyone understands their role in protecting sensitive information.

Our Chief Information Officer, Mike Iverson, puts it best:

“SOC 2 isn’t just an audit. It’s a mindset. Our clients trust us with confidential data, and we take that responsibility seriously. Every employee at Hatteras plays a part in safeguarding that trust.”

Internal Audits: Always Ready

While the formal SOC 2 audit occurs annually, our internal audits are ongoing. We regularly test systems, review access logs, and examine workflows to ensure we’re meeting and exceeding standards.

These checks aren’t just about passing an audit. They allow us to identify improvements early, tighten controls, and maintain accountability year-round. When auditors arrive, nothing is a surprise.

A Secure Facility From the Ground Up

Data security isn’t only digital. Physical security is just as critical in a print-and-mail environment. Hatteras maintains strict facility controls, including:

1. Limited-access production zones

2. Badge-restricted entry to secure areas

3. Surveillance monitoring throughout the facility

4. Visitor logs and escorted access

5. Segregated production areas for regulated industries

Why This Matters to Our Clients

When clients send us data, they need confidence that their information is protected from the moment files are transferred until finished pieces enter the mail stream. Our investment in SOC 2 compliance provides that assurance. It demonstrates our commitment to protecting client data, continuously improving our processes, and staying ahead of security expectations.

If you’d like to learn more about how Hatteras protects your data, we’re always happy to give you a behind-the-scenes look. Email me to set up a call: bzbozen@4hatteras.com