DPDP Audit vs SOC 2: Key Differences
Liability Check
Thinking your SOC 2 report covers you for DPDP compliance is a dangerous, costly mistake. You could still face penalties up to ₹250 Crore for processing Indian personal data incorrectly.
Why DPDP Audit vs SOC 2: Key Differences is at Risk
While **SOC 2** demonstrates your commitment to internal security controls, it is **not a substitute for DPDP compliance**. SOC 2, often sought by SaaS providers in tech parks like Manyata or DLF Cyber City, is primarily a US-based attestation standard focused on the security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy (trust services criteria) of your systems for *your clients*. The **DPDP Act, 2023**, however, is a comprehensive Indian law safeguarding the personal data of Indian citizens. It mandates specific obligations like verifiable consent, data principal rights, data retention policies, and cross-border data transfer rules that are simply **not covered by SOC 2**.
Common Violations
- 1.Relying solely on a SOC 2 report to claim DPDP compliance without an independent DPDP assessment.
- 2.Failing to implement an India-specific consent management platform (CMP) because 'SOC 2 covers privacy'.
- 3.Ignoring DPDP's specific data principal rights (e.g., right to erasure, correction) thinking SOC 2's 'Privacy' principle is sufficient.
The Immediate Fix
Your SOC 2 is a great start for robust internal controls, but it won't satisfy the Data Protection Board of India. Immediately initiate a **DPDP compliance gap analysis** to identify where your current practices fall short of India's unique legal requirements. Start with understanding your obligations as a Data Fiduciary or Data Processor under the DPDP Act.
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Need help checking your business?
- Start with the free self-check to find questions for your team.
- Our paid gap assessment takes four weeks. We check your apps, documents and records, then list what needs fixing.
- Fixing the agreed gaps takes two to three months. A final assessment checks the completed work.
Save your results and discuss the questions with your team.
Next step after the audit
The audit shows the gaps. Sanctum closes them. One programme covers legal position, data map, gap analysis, implementation, tooling, training, a written readiness opinion, and breach cover, under one accountable owner. See the all-in-one programme
What Should You Do Next?