- Duration: 5 days
Course Overview
The PECB Certified Lead SOC 2 Manager training course provides participants with the knowledge and practical skills required to establish, implement, manage, monitor, and continually improve a SOC 2 compliance program.
SOC 2 is an important framework for organizations that handle sensitive information or provide services involving the processing, storage, and protection of customer data. By addressing the Trust Services Criteria (TSC), organizations can strengthen their information security controls, manage risks, demonstrate accountability, and build confidence among clients and stakeholders.
This training course covers the fundamental principles of SOC 2, compliance requirements, risk management, policy development, control implementation, incident management, audit readiness, and continual improvement. Participants will learn how to assess organizational requirements, define the scope of a SOC 2 compliance program, implement appropriate controls, and prepare an organization for a SOC 2 examination.
Upon successfully passing the examination and meeting the applicable certification requirements, participants can apply for the PECB Certified Lead SOC 2 Manager credential.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this training course, participants will be able to:
- Explain the fundamental concepts and principles of the SOC 2 framework.
- Interpret SOC 2 requirements and the Trust Services Criteria from an analytical perspective.
- Initiate and plan the implementation of security measures based on SOC 2 requirements, using PECB’s methodology and recognized best practices.
- Conduct gap analysis and support the development of remediation plans.
- Establish policies, define responsibilities, and implement appropriate security controls.
- Support the operation, monitoring, maintenance, and continual improvement of security measures aligned with SOC 2 requirements.
- Prepare an organization for a SOC 2 examination through audit readiness activities, documentation, monitoring, and reporting.
Target Audience
This training course is intended for:
- Managers and consultants seeking to expand their knowledge of SOC 2 compliance and controls.
- IT professionals and information security risk managers seeking to strengthen their understanding of SOC 2 requirements and best practices.
- Compliance officers responsible for establishing, implementing, and managing SOC 2 compliance programs.
- Audit and compliance team members involved in SOC 2 readiness assessments and internal audits.
- Professionals responsible for developing and managing information security and compliance controls.
- Executives and business leaders involved in organizational risk management and compliance decisions.
- Security analysts and incident response coordinators responsible for supporting the security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy of information systems.
Course Content
Day 1: Introduction to the SOC 2 Framework
- Training course objectives and structure
- Introduction to information security standards and regulations
- Overview of the SOC 2 framework
- Understanding the Trust Services Criteria (TSC)
- Initiating a SOC 2 compliance program
- Analysing SOC 2 compliance requirements
- Defining the scope of a SOC 2 compliance program
Day 2: Risk Management and Policy Development
- Conducting gap analysis and planning remediation
- Understanding and managing information security risks
- Documentation requirements and policy development
- Defining roles and responsibilities
- Selecting and implementing appropriate controls
Day 3: Implementing SOC 2 Controls and Incident Response
- Implementation of SOC 2 controls
- Incident management processes
- Business continuity and disaster recovery (BCDR)
- Security awareness and training programs
- Supporting effective control operation and risk mitigation
Day 4: Auditing, Reporting, and Continual Improvement
- SOC 2 examination readiness and analysis
- Monitoring security measures and compliance performance
- Reporting and maintaining compliance evidence
- Continual improvement of the SOC 2 compliance program
- Training course review and closure
Day 5: Certification Examination
- PECB Certified Lead SOC 2 Manager certification examination
Examination and Certification
Examination Duration: 3 hours
The PECB Certified Lead SOC 2 Manager examination evaluates participants’ knowledge and competencies across the following domains:
- Fundamental principles and concepts of the SOC 2 framework.
- SOC 2 criteria.
- Planning the implementation of SOC 2 requirements.
- Implementing SOC 2 requirements.
- Monitoring security measures and preparing for a SOC 2 examination.
The examination follows the PECB Examination and Certification Program (ECP) requirements. Examination format, available languages, and other details are subject to PECB’s current examination rules and policies.
Important: SOC 2 engagements generally result in an independent auditor’s report rather than a PECB-issued SOC 2 certification for an organization. This course prepares participants to manage SOC 2 compliance and examination readiness; the professional credential is awarded by PECB subject to its certification requirements.
Certification Requirements
After passing the examination, candidates can apply for the appropriate PECB certification credential, subject to meeting the relevant education, professional experience, SOC 2 project experience, and other requirements.
| Certification Credential | Professional Experience | SOC 2 Project Experience | Other Requirements |
| PECB SOC 2 Provisional Manager | None | None | At least secondary education |
| PECB SOC 2 Manager | 2 years, including 1 year of work experience in information security | 200 hours | Sign the PECB Code of Ethics |
| PECB Lead SOC 2 Manager | 5 years, including 2 years of work experience in information security | 300 hours | Sign the PECB Code of Ethics |
| PECB Senior Lead SOC 2 Manager | 10 years, including 7 years of work experience in information security | 1,000 hours | Sign the PECB Code of Ethics |
Candidates must meet the applicable requirements for their selected credential. The Provisional Manager credential requires at least secondary education, with no professional or SOC 2 project experience required. Higher-level credentials require the specified professional experience and documented SOC 2 project experience.
Candidates should consult the current PECB Certification Rules and Policies for complete eligibility requirements.
Course Benefits
By attending this training course, participants will benefit from:
- SOC 2 Framework Expertise: Develop a structured understanding of SOC 2 principles, requirements, and Trust Services Criteria.
- Compliance Program Management: Learn how to establish, implement, and maintain a SOC 2 compliance program.
- Risk Management and Control Implementation: Strengthen the ability to identify compliance gaps, manage risks, and implement appropriate controls.
- Improved Audit Readiness: Understand the documentation, monitoring, and reporting activities required to prepare for a SOC 2 examination.
- Enhanced Data Protection: Support the protection of sensitive information through effective security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy controls.
- Continual Improvement: Develop approaches to monitor control effectiveness and improve compliance practices over time.
- Professional Development: Prepare for the PECB Certified Lead SOC 2 Manager examination and pursue a relevant professional credential.
Training Materials and CPD Credits
- Participants will receive comprehensive training materials containing more than 450 pages of information, including practical examples, exercises, and quizzes.
- Certification and examination fees are included in the training course price.
- Participants who attend the training course will receive an attestation of course completion worth 31 Continuing Professional Development (CPD) credits.
- Candidates who complete the training but do not pass the examination are eligible for one free retake within 12 months of the initial examination date, subject to PECB’s applicable rules and policies.
The program consists of four days of instructor-led training followed by the certification examination on Day 5.
Prerequisites
No specific prerequisites are stated for attending this training course. A basic understanding of information security, risk management, compliance, or organizational controls may be beneficial for participants seeking to get the most out of the program.
Professional experience and documented SOC 2 project experience are required for certain certification levels, as outlined in the certification requirements.
Certification Body
PECB (Professional Evaluation and Certification Board)
PECB provides training, examination, and professional certification programs across information security, cybersecurity, governance, risk management, compliance, and related disciplines.