March 18, 2026, 2:36 p.m.
What Are ISO 27001 and SOC 2?
The two most widely recognized standards in the field of information security management globally, ISO/IEC 27001 and SOC 2, offer complementary approaches while being dominant in different geographies and sectors.
ISO 27001: International Standard
ISO/IEC 27001, published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), is the global standard for Information Security Management System (ISMS).
- ✅ Dominant acceptance in European, Middle Eastern and Asian markets
- ✅ Risk-based approach
- ✅ Integrated with legal regulations in Turkey (BRSA, EMRA, etc.)
- ✅ Sustainable with annual external audit
- ⚠️ Not as well known as SOC 2 in the US market
SOC 2: US-Focused Standard
SOC 2 (System and Organization Controls 2) is an audit framework developed by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), specifically designed for SaaS and cloud service providers.
- ✅ Expected standard for US customers and investors
- ✅ Security, Availability, Confidentiality, Processing Integrity and Privacy criteria
- ✅ Accelerates sales processes for SaaS products
- ⚠️ No legal equivalent in Turkey
- ⚠️ Cost is generally higher than ISO 27001
Comparison Table
| Criteria | ISO 27001 | SOC 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Geographic Acceptance | Global | Primarily US |
| Legal Basis (TR) | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Target Audience | All sectors | SaaS / Cloud |
| Audit Period | Annual | Type I / Type II |
| Cost | Medium | High |
| Duration | 6-12 months | 6-18 months |
Recommendation for Turkish Companies
You should make the right choice based on your customer base and strategic goals:
- If you are focused on Turkey or Europe → ISO 27001
- If you are selling SaaS to US customers → SOC 2 (+ ISO 27001)
- If you are under BRSA/EMRA scope → ISO 27001 is mandatory
To learn more about Nordis Global's ISO 27001 consulting services, contact us.
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