Smart SOC 2: Automating Compliance with Drata and AWS

Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) recognize the need for SOC 2 compliance to gain customer trust and secure business growth, but starting the journey can be daunting.

In our most recent webinar with AWS, industry experts Wil Woodrum, Senior Assurance Consultant at AWS, and Daniel Marashlian, Drata’s cofounder and CTO, shared insights on leveraging automation to simplify the SOC 2 journey and maintain compliance.

From key strategies to automation and AI, this webinar covered all things SOC 2 for SMBs. Keep reading for what you might’ve missed.

Understanding SOC 2 Compliance for SMBs

The session began with Wil Woodrum providing an overview of SOC 2 and why it matters for service organizations. “Most companies pursue SOC 2 compliance due to client demands,” he explained. SOC 2 not only establishes trust but also enables organizations to manage security risks effectively. Daniel emphasized that SOC 2 can give businesses a competitive edge, demonstrating their commitment to data privacy and security

Building a Compliance-First Culture

As the speakers discussed SOC 2 readiness, Wil recommended that SMBs focus on identifying potential risks, such as technology vulnerabilities, service interruptions, and third-party dependencies. He noted that successful compliance involved a structured approach to documentation, controls, and training. Daniel added that automation tools like Drata help SMBs achieve these goals faster, streamlining tasks that would otherwise be resource-intensive.

Structuring a Secure AWS Infrastructure

With the AWS Well-Architected Framework, companies can design infrastructure that aligns with SOC 2’s security requirements. Wil clarified that no single blueprint guarantees compliance; rather, organizations must focus on understanding and mitigating their unique risks. AWS’s published guides can help organizations set up an environment that supports compliance, but ongoing monitoring and control remain critical.

Avoiding Common Compliance Pitfalls

Starting a compliance journey can be complex, and Wil identified common pitfalls, such as failing to monitor controls or assuming that third-party SOC 2 coverage extends further than it does. He advised organizations to include all departments in compliance planning to ensure alignment and adherence to protocols. Daniel highlighted the importance of automation to handle tasks like evidence collection and reporting, which can be overwhelming when done manually.

Preparing for your SOC 2 Audit

A SOC 2 audit requires thorough documentation and evidence of control adherence. Wil described how auditors review policies, interview personnel, and request logs and other records to assess compliance. He advised companies to be proactive by organizing audit evidence in advance. Daniel pointed out that tools like Drat’s Audit Hub simplify evidence management, reducing back-and-forth with auditors.

Leveraging Automation in Compliance

Automation plays a key role in modern compliance programs, serving as a force multiplier for limited resources. Wil outlined preventive, detective, and corrective controls that AWS environments can utilize, including Service Control Policies and AWS Security Hub alerts. Daniel described how Drata’s compliance automation can streamline evidence gathering, support ongoing monitoring, and even remediate issues before they impact compliance.

Best Practices for AWS-Native and Third-Party Solutions

To stay compliant across multiple frameworks, Wil advised that SMBs build a robust compliance framework adaptable to regulatory changes. The combination of AWS-native tools and third-party solutions, like Drata, enables organizations to maintain flexibility and visibility into security and compliance needs. Both speakers stressed that compliance isn’t a “check-the-box” exercise but a dynamic, continuous process.

Maintaining Continuous Compliance

For ongoing compliance in an evolving AWS infrastructure, Wil suggested regular audits, vulnerability assessments, and system checks to ensure control effectiveness. He also recommended increasing the frequency of reviews if a particular control consistently fails. Daniel added that compliance automation tools can further reduce manual tasks, allowing teams to focus on higher-priority initiatives.

Shifting Left: Integrating Compliance Early

In closing, Daniel emphasized the importance of shifting compliance “left’ in the development lifecycle to catch potential issues before production. Drata’s Compliance as Code allows companies to integrate compliance checks directly into code and infrastructure design, enabling a more agile and secure approach to risk management.

For those looking to start their SOC 2 journey, Drata and AWS offer a powerful partnership, blending automation, AWS-native tools, and best practices to guide SMBs to a successful compliance outcome.