Most compliance controls overlap. How to run a single programme that satisfies SOC 2, ISO 27001, and GDPR simultaneously.
Most companies that need SOC 2 also need ISO 27001. Many also need GDPR. Running three separate compliance programmes is expensive, time-consuming, and unnecessary, because the control overlap between these frameworks is substantial. This whitepaper maps the overlap and explains how to run a single, unified programme that satisfies all three.
Enterprise customers increasingly require multiple certifications. A US enterprise may require SOC 2; a European enterprise may require ISO 27001; GDPR applies to both. If you are selling internationally, you need all three.
Running them sequentially is the most expensive approach. Each programme requires its own gap analysis, implementation effort, and audit. Running them in parallel, with a unified control framework, reduces total cost by 30 to 40% and compresses the timeline significantly.
The unified approach also produces better outcomes. Controls implemented once, for multiple frameworks, are more likely to be embedded in the organisation than controls implemented three times in isolation.
The overlap between SOC 2 and ISO 27001 is extensive. Access controls, change management, incident response, business continuity, vendor management, and logging requirements appear in both frameworks. A well-designed unified control framework can satisfy both with minimal duplication.
GDPR adds data privacy-specific requirements, lawful basis, data subject rights, privacy notices, and data processing agreements, that are not covered by SOC 2 or ISO 27001. However, the security controls required by GDPR (Article 32) overlap significantly with both frameworks.
A unified control framework maps each control to the requirements of all applicable frameworks. When a control is implemented, it satisfies requirements across multiple frameworks simultaneously. Evidence collected for one audit can be reused for another.
Start with a unified gap analysis that maps your current posture against all target frameworks simultaneously. This produces a single prioritised remediation plan rather than three separate ones.
Design your control framework to satisfy the most demanding requirements across all frameworks. Where frameworks have different requirements for the same control area, implement to the higher standard.
Coordinate audit timing to maximise evidence reuse. SOC 2 and ISO 27001 audits can often be scheduled to use the same evidence collection period. GDPR compliance does not require a formal audit, but the documentation produced for ISO 27001 satisfies most GDPR documentation requirements.
A single control framework mapped to all target frameworks, eliminating duplication and ensuring consistent implementation.
A single gap analysis covering all target frameworks, producing a unified remediation plan.
Evidence collection processes designed to satisfy multiple frameworks simultaneously.
A single set of policies and procedures that satisfies the documentation requirements of all target frameworks.
Netru methodology