Two primary types of SOC 2 reports exist:
SOC 2 Type 1 reports provide confirmation that an organization's controls exist at a specific moment in time. Typically, companies seeking their initial SOC 2 certification undergo a SOC Type 1 audit. During this audit, an independent auditor verifies and reports on the organization's control descriptions and their sustainability.
SOC 2 Type 2 reports encompass the same control validation as Type 1, but with an additional focus on assessing the operating effectiveness of those controls. Unlike the snapshot approach of Type 1, a SOC Type 2 audit evaluates controls over a predefined period, typically a minimum of six months according to AICPA recommendations, to demonstrate their effectiveness in normal operations.