Key Takeaways

• SOC 2 and ISO 27001 are signals, not guarantees. You still need to verify scope and controls.

• Ask for evidence early. Request audit reports/certificates and security documentation up front.

• Map compliance to your workflows. GEO data includes prompts, outputs, citations, and exports—ensure controls cover all of them.

SOC 2 vs ISO 27001: What’s the Difference (in buyer terms)

SOC 2 (report-based assurance)

• A SOC 2 report evaluates controls over a defined period.

• Key buyer question: Which “Trust Service Criteria” are covered? (Security is common; availability/confidentiality may vary.)

ISO 27001 (management system certification)

• ISO 27001 certifies an Information Security Management System (ISMS).

• Key buyer question: Is the certification current and within scope of the product you’re buying?

In practice, enterprise buyers often accept either—but you should verify scope, recency, and applicability.

Buyer’s Checklist: What to Verify for GEO Vendors

1) Scope and coverage

Ask:

• Does SOC 2/ISO cover the specific product (not just the parent company)?

• Which regions and environments are covered?

2) Access control  identity

Ask for proof of:

• SSO/SAML support

• RBAC roles

• audit logs

3) Data handling  retention  deletion

Verify:

• data residency options

• retention policy by dataset type

• deletion SLA on termination

4) Incident response and vulnerability management

Verify:

• incident response plan and notification policy

• vulnerability scanning and patch SLAs

• pen test cadence (if available)

5) Subprocessors

Verify:

• list of subprocessors

• where they process data

• DPAs and change notifications

What Proof to Request (so you don’t waste cycles)

• SOC 2 Type II report (preferred) or Type I (early-stage)

• ISO 27001 certificate + scope statement

• security whitepaper

• subprocessors list

• data retention/deletion policy

FAQ

Is SOC 2 required for GEO platforms?

Not always, but it accelerates procurement and signals maturity.

Can a vendor be secure without SOC 2/ISO?

Yes, but evaluation will take longer. You’ll need deeper due diligence on controls and processes.

Conclusion

If your team needs a GEO platform to pass enterprise procurement, SOC 2 and ISO 27001 can reduce friction—but only if you verify scope and controls. Use the checklist above to compare vendors consistently and keep evaluation focused on evidence.