Safe file transfers and SOC 2: Protecting sensitive data

What makes C2 Transfer ideal for sharing sensitive data?

Leigh Huang
Synology C2
5 min readApr 11, 2023

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A person sitting at a desk, looking at some charts and other data on their computer surrounded by notebooks and papers.
Photo by Microsoft 365 on Unsplash

As businesses continue expanding their services online, data security has become a top priority when handling sensitive customer information. To help protect against data breaches and cyber attacks, many organizations obtain an SOC 2 compliance certification.

In this blog, we’ll explore what SOC 2 is, why sharing SOC 2 reports is important, how to distribute them securely, and why C2 Transfer is ideal for sharing sensitive documents.

What is SOC 2?

If you’re wondering what SOC 2 is, you’re in the right place.

To start with, let’s define SOC. SOC (System and Organization Controls) is a certification developed by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) that evaluates how providers handle information technology controls effectively. This includes three different kinds of certifications — SOC 1, SOC 2, and SOC 3.

Now, if you’re wondering what sets SOC 2 apart from the others, let us tell you. Compared to the financial controls of SOC 1, SOC 2 is a cut above, since it is specifically designed for advanced cloud providers. SOC 2 covers five control principles — security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy — that regulate the end-to-end process.

A diagram showing the 5 principles of SOC 2 Certifications: Security, Availability, Processing Integrity, Confidentiality, and Privacy.
SOC 2 compliance covers five main principles

But why should you care about SOC 2 compliance in the first place?

The simple answer is that being SOC 2 compliant means that the service maintains a high level of information security due to rigorous compliance requirements that ensure that sensitive information is being handled responsibly. This demonstrates that service’s dedication to the security of their customers’ data.

Why share SOC 2 with others?

In today’s digital world, customers are becoming increasingly aware of the risks associated with sharing their personal information. As a result, they expect organizations to have robust security measures in place to protect their sensitive data. This is where sharing SOC 2 audit reports come in.

A photo of some documents on a table.
Photo by 2H Media on Unsplash

Sharing SOC 2 reports with customers is essential to build trust and demonstrate a commitment to security and compliance. However, sharing SOC 2 documents securely can be challenging for organizations, as they contain confidential information that needs to be constantly protected from unauthorized access.

We’re proud to say that Synology’s very own C2 America — Seattle data center is SOC 2 control principles compliant. That means you can trust C2 to handle your information with the utmost care and security. Of course, it’s worth noting that different data centers have different certifications, so be sure to check out the C2 website for more details.

Distributing SOC 2 audit reports via file transfers

When sensitive files are shared via email or cloud storage services, there is a risk that the information could be compromised if the files are accessed by unauthorized individuals. A secure file sharing platform creates encrypted links and controls access to files at a granular level using permissions and passwords. This helps prevent data leaks and spills that could damage a business’s reputation or lead to legal trouble.

In addition to protecting data, a secure file sharing solution streamlines business processes and boosts productivity. With easy ways to share and collaborate on files, teams can work more efficiently and effectively together. Version history is automatically maintained so there is always an easy way to revert back to previous iterations or compare changes. Comments and suggestions can be added directly to files for real-time feedback and input.

Three people, possibly team members, surrounding several computers and discussing something.
Photo by Kampus Production on Pexels

By implementing a secure file sharing platform, businesses can share sensitive data with confidence, enable seamless collaboration, and future-proof their systems against threats. Protecting data and streamlining teamwork are two of the most important ways technology contributes to business success today.

Why choose C2 Transfer?

C2 Transfer is a secure file transfer platform that offers end-to-end encryption, making it the perfect tool for distributing SOC 2 audit reports. With C2 Transfer, users can share confidential documents without the risk of data breaches or unauthorized access.

One of the standout features of C2 Transfer is its ability to set expiration dates for files. This means that businesses can ensure that sensitive information is only available for a limited time, further reducing the risk of data exposure.

A screenshot of the C2 Transfer portal showing some examples of file transfer tasks.
Securely transfer confidential documents via the C2 Transfer portal

Additionally, C2 Transfer offers a secure messaging system that allows users to communicate securely within the platform. This means that businesses can share SOC 2 reports and discuss any questions or concerns in a secure environment.

To sum it up, C2 Transfer is more than just a file transfer service, with these added benefits:

  • End-to-end encryption and identity authentication: C2 Transfer uses robust encryption technology to protect sensitive data and ensure that only authorized users have access to it.
  • Protection features for sharing SOC: C2 Transfer offers a range of features specifically designed to protect SOC 2 reports, including One-Time Passwords (OTPs), expiration dates and secure messaging.
  • User-friendly interface and transfer policy feature: C2 Transfer is designed to be user-friendly and intuitive, making it easy for businesses to share sensitive documents securely. It also offers a transfer policy feature, which allows users to set rules for file sharing and access.
  • Extra layer of protection for organizational data: By using C2 Transfer, businesses can add an extra layer of protection to their organizational data, ensuring that sensitive information is kept secure at all times.

Your SOC 2-compliant file transfer solution

SOC 2 is an important standard for businesses to maintain compliance and ensure the safety of sensitive customer information. Distributing SOC 2 audit reports securely is crucial, and C2 Transfer offers a secure and reliable platform for businesses to do so.

With end-to-end encryption and a range of features that make it easy to use, C2 Transfer is the perfect solution for businesses looking to share sensitive documents securely.

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