SOC 2 compliance proves your organization can protect sensitive data; but for growing companies, it’s often just the first step. Many teams stop at SOC 2, thinking compliance is complete. In reality, moving beyond SOC 2 to frameworks like ISO 27001, HIPAA, and PCI-DSS can unlock new markets, build customer trust, and streamline audits across multiple standards.

This guide explains what to expect after SOC 2, how to scale into additional frameworks, and best practices to ensure compliance is both efficient and strategic.

Why Consider Additional Compliance Frameworks?

SOC 2 focuses on internal controls and operational effectiveness across five trust service categories. However, enterprise clients and regulated industries often require:

ISO 27001 for internationally recognized security management
HIPAA for healthcare-related data privacy and security
PCI-DSS for handling payment card information securely

Expanding into these standards ensures your company is prepared for broader business opportunities and reduces duplication of effort across audits.

Step 1: Leverage Your SOC 2 Foundation

SOC 2 lays the groundwork:

Policies & Procedures: Many SOC 2 policies align with ISO, HIPAA, or PCI-DSS requirements.
Access Controls: Existing user and system access controls are reusable.
Monitoring & Logging: Evidence collection processes already in place can be adapted.

By mapping SOC 2 controls to other frameworks, you can significantly reduce the work required for new audits.

Step 2: Map Controls Across Frameworks

Each framework has overlapping requirements:

ISO 27001: Emphasizes risk management and continuous improvement.
HIPAA: Focuses on protected health information (PHI) confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
PCI-DSS: Concentrates on payment card data security, including encryption and network monitoring.

Perform a gap analysis to identify which SOC 2 controls meet requirements, and where additional measures are needed. This prevents redundant work and accelerates readiness.

Step 3: Establish an Integrated Compliance Program

Instead of running separate audits, create a compliance framework roadmap:

Consolidate policies for multiple standards
Reuse control evidence wherever possible
Automate monitoring and documentation
Train staff on cross-standard responsibilities

This integrated approach reduces overhead, ensures consistent compliance, and makes audits smoother.

Step 4: Prioritize Based on Business Needs

Not every framework is immediately necessary. Consider:

Customer demand: Which standard is most frequently requested by clients or required in RFPs?
Regulatory requirements: Is your industry legally required to comply with HIPAA or PCI-DSS?
Business goals: Which frameworks unlock the most growth opportunities?

Start with the framework that provides the greatest strategic benefit, then expand sequentially.

Step 5: Partner with Compliance Experts

Scaling compliance across frameworks can be complex. Firms like ESM Global Consulting provide:

Multi-framework readiness assessments
Policy and procedure alignment
Evidence collection and audit support
Executive coaching for risk and compliance communication

With expert guidance, you can transition from SOC 2 to other frameworks efficiently, avoiding common pitfalls and reducing the burden on internal teams.

Final Thoughts

SOC 2 is the foundation, not the finish line. Organizations that strategically scale into ISO 27001, HIPAA, and PCI-DSS:

Gain access to regulated industries and enterprise markets
Reduce repeated work across audits
Build stronger trust with customers and partners
Streamline vendor and internal risk management processes

Use your SOC 2 experience to jumpstart a broader compliance program and transform security into a business advantage.

Need help navigating the next steps after SOC 2?

ESM Global Consulting can guide your organization from SOC 2 to multiple frameworks, ensuring efficiency, trust, and audit readiness at every step.

What Happens After SOC 2? A Guide to Scaling into ISO 27001, HIPAA, and PCI-DSS