Cybersecurity for Financial Services

SOC 2 Compliance Without the Six-Figure Consulting Bill

Financial services firms face mounting regulatory pressure and client expectations around cybersecurity. Korynthe organizes the readiness work so you can focus on managing money, not deciphering what an auditor may ask for next.

Assess Your Readiness — Free Security Scan

The Regulatory Landscape Is Getting Stricter

Whether you are a financial advisor, fintech startup, or accounting firm, cybersecurity requirements are no longer optional. Regulators, clients, and insurance carriers all expect documented security programs.

Financial Advisors & RIAs

The SEC has intensified cybersecurity examinations. Regulation S-P requires written policies for protecting client information. Proposed rules would mandate incident reporting and documented cybersecurity risk management programs.

Fintech Companies

Enterprise clients and financial institution partners increasingly require SOC 2 reports before signing contracts. Without SOC 2 compliance, deals stall and revenue is left on the table. It has become a cost of doing business.

Accounting Firms

CPA firms handle some of the most sensitive financial data that exists: tax returns, financial statements, and audit workpapers. The AICPA expects firms to maintain robust information security programs, and client expectations follow.

What SOC 2 Actually Requires

SOC 2 is built around Trust Service Criteria. Understanding them demystifies what can feel like an overwhelming process.

Security Required

Protection against unauthorized access. This covers firewalls, access controls, encryption, intrusion detection, and incident response. Security is the foundation that every SOC 2 report must include.

Availability

Systems are available for operation and use as committed. This covers uptime monitoring, disaster recovery, business continuity planning, and performance monitoring. Critical for client-facing financial platforms.

Confidentiality

Information designated as confidential is protected as committed. This covers data classification, encryption in transit and at rest, access restrictions, and secure disposal. Essential for firms handling client financial data.

SOC 2 also includes Processing Integrity and Privacy criteria. Most financial services firms start with Security, Availability, and Confidentiality, then add criteria as their program matures.

How Korynthe Maps Controls and Highlights Gaps

Korynthe translates SOC 2 requirements into concrete, trackable actions and shows your team what still needs attention before a formal audit.

Automated Control Mapping

Korynthe scans your infrastructure and maps findings directly to SOC 2 Trust Service Criteria. See which controls you meet, which have gaps, and what specific changes will close those gaps. No spreadsheet required.

Current Risk and Gap Visibility

Every scan result and control update feeds a current picture of what is still exposed. Korynthe keeps the focus on the open issues that would slow down a SOC 2 journey.

Gap Analysis Dashboard

A clear dashboard shows your compliance status across all applicable Trust Service Criteria. Prioritized remediation steps tell you exactly what to fix next and why it matters for your SOC 2 readiness.

Continuous Monitoring

SOC 2 Type II requires demonstrating controls over time, not just at a point in time. Korynthe continuously monitors your security posture so you can show steady improvement and catch drift before it becomes a bigger problem.

Support Your Cyber Insurance Application

Cyber insurance carriers are getting more selective. They want proof that you actually have security controls in place, not just a promise on an application form.

What Carriers Look For

  • Email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC)
  • Multi-factor authentication
  • Encryption in transit and at rest
  • Incident response plan
  • Regular security assessments

What Korynthe Provides

  • Documented scan reports with technical findings
  • Framework readiness mapping
  • Historical security posture trends
  • AI-generated security policies
  • Current risks with remediation tracking

Recommended for Financial Services

Financial services firms typically start with the Korynthe Command ($799/mo), which includes SOC 2 framework tracking, current risks, readiness reporting, policy generation, and continuous security monitoring.

Firms needing executive-level security strategy and full vCISO services can explore Korynthe Vanguard ($2,500/mo) for AI-powered roadmaps, board-ready reports, and dedicated security guidance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does my financial services firm need SOC 2 compliance?

If your firm handles client financial data, processes transactions, or provides SaaS to other financial institutions, SOC 2 compliance is increasingly expected. Even if not legally required, many enterprise clients and partners now require SOC 2 reports before doing business. For RIAs, the SEC has increased cybersecurity examination focus, making SOC 2 alignment a practical way to demonstrate due diligence.

What are the SOC 2 Trust Service Criteria?

SOC 2 is built on five Trust Service Criteria: Security (required for all SOC 2 reports), Availability (system uptime and recovery), Processing Integrity (accurate and complete processing), Confidentiality (protection of sensitive data), and Privacy (personal information handling). Most financial services firms focus on Security, Availability, and Confidentiality for their initial SOC 2 report.

How long does SOC 2 compliance take with Korynthe?

SOC 2 readiness timelines vary based on your current security maturity. Korynthe accelerates the process by automatically mapping your existing controls to SOC 2 criteria, identifying gaps, and providing specific remediation steps. Most firms using Korynthe can reach SOC 2 readiness in 3 to 6 months, compared to 6 to 12 months with traditional consulting. Note that the SOC 2 audit itself must be performed by a licensed CPA firm.

Can Korynthe scan reports help with cyber insurance applications?

Yes. Korynthe security scan reports document your security posture with specific technical findings, remediation status, and compliance mapping. Many cyber insurance carriers look for evidence of email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), encryption, access controls, and security monitoring. Korynthe reports provide this documentation in a format that supports insurance applications and renewals.

What regulations apply to financial advisors and RIAs?

Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs) fall under SEC Regulation S-P (privacy of consumer financial information), Regulation S-ID (identity theft red flags), and increasingly the SEC's proposed cybersecurity risk management rules. State regulators may impose additional requirements. SOC 2 compliance addresses many of these requirements through its Trust Service Criteria framework.

Assess Your Security Readiness

A free security scan shows you where your firm stands on the technical controls that regulators, auditors, and insurance carriers look for. Under 60 seconds, no credit card required.

Free Security Scan