SOC 2 Checklist for Payments
Payments platforms face strict scrutiny on security, availability, and vendor oversight. SOC 2 should align with PCI expectations without overpromising.
Critical PAYMENTS Controls
Have an existing security policy?
Upload your existing PDF policies to our AI Evidence Gap Analyzer. We'll map your content directly to SOC 2 controls and identify exactly what's missing.
Recommended Automation for Payments
Top-rated platforms to automate your Payments compliance roadmap.
Complete SOC 2 Checklist
Broken down by compliance domain for Payments teams.
Core Infrastructure & Security
- Map payment flows and key management lifecycle
- Lock down admin consoles and support tools
- Ensure logging and monitoring for payment events
- Schedule pentest for payment portals/APIs with retest
Operational Controls
- Collect vendor attestations and SLAs
- Document incident response for payment fraud/outages
Evidence pack to prepare
- •Access review records with approvals
- •Change management tickets with reviewers
- •Incident response runbooks and recent drills
- •Vendor risk assessment summaries
- •System inventory and data flow diagrams
Payments audit timeline
- 1.Week 1–2: Define scope and control owners
- 2.Week 3–5: Implement evidence collection workflows
- 3.Week 6–8: Run internal readiness review
- 4.Week 9–12: Complete auditor fieldwork and remediation
Common Payments Pitfalls
Coordinating with banking partners and processors
Capturing HSM and key rotation evidence
Managing segregation of duties for finance vs engineering
Raphael N
Head of Compliance Strategy
Raphael leads go-to-market compliance strategy for high-growth SaaS and AI teams. With over a decade of experience across Big Four firms and fintech startups, he specializes in translating complex SOC 2 requirements into automated, engineering-friendly workflows.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the first step in SOC 2 Checklist for Payments?
The first step is conducting a gap analysis to understand your current security posture relative to SOC 2 requirements. This identifies what controls you already have and what needs to be implemented.
How long does SOC 2 Checklist for Payments typically take?
For most mid-sized companies, the process takes 3-6 months. This includes 2-3 months for readiness prep and control implementation, followed by the audit period and report generation.
What are the core requirements for SOC 2 Checklist for Payments?
Core requirements include established security policies, evidence of operational controls (like access reviews and vulnerability scans), and documented risk management processes aligned with SOC 2 standards.
Can we automate SOC 2 Checklist for Payments?
Yes, compliance automation platforms can reduce manual effort by up to 80% through continuous evidence collection and automated control monitoring. However, you still need to define and own the underlying security processes.
About RiscLens
Our mission is to provide transparency and clarity to early-stage technology companies navigating the complexities of SOC 2 (System and Organization Controls 2) compliance.
Who we serve
Built specifically for early-stage and growing technology companies—SaaS, fintech, and healthcare tech—preparing for their first SOC 2 audit or responding to enterprise customer requirements.
What we provide
Clarity before commitment. We help teams understand realistic cost ranges, timeline expectations, and common gaps before they engage auditors or expensive compliance vendors.
Our Boundaries
We do not provide legal advice, audit services, or certifications. Our assessments support internal planning—they are not a substitute for professional compliance guidance.
SOC 2 (System and Organization Controls 2) is a voluntary compliance standard for service organizations, developed by the AICPA, which specifies how organizations should manage customer data based on the Trust Services Criteria: security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy.
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