In today’s complex and highly regulated business environment, you’re faced with mounting pressure to demonstrate compliance across a growing array of standards and frameworks. These could include SOC 1, SOC 2, and SOC 3, as well as HITRUST, ISO 27001, FedRAMP, PCI DSS, MRC examinations, and WebTrust certifications.
Navigating these frameworks individually can be a strain on both internal resources and budgets. That’s why more forward-thinking organizations are consolidating their efforts by engaging a single firm to oversee multiple third-party reporting needs. The result? Greater efficiency, less audit fatigue, and more consistent, actionable insights.
Audit Once, Report Many: One Strategy with Many Benefits
Centralizing attestation services with one firm allows you to streamline compliance using a shared set of controls, testing procedures, and documentation. This reduces duplicative efforts, lowers overall audit costs, and enhances the quality and consistency of reporting across frameworks. A unified control library supports governance, risk, and compliance efforts and allows your internal teams to focus on strategic priorities and business growth. The following examples illustrate how this strategy improves efficiency and consistency across SOC 1, SOC 2, SOC 3, and other reporting frameworks.
SOC 1, SOC 2, and SOC 3 Reporting: Maximizing Value Through Integration
SOC reports are the bedrock of third-party assurance for many service providers. As SOC 1, SOC 2 and SOC 3 share common goals, addressing them together reduces disruptions and streamlines the process of gathering evidence. Partnering with one firm facilitates better reporting across systems, so that a cohesive compliance story is shared with stakeholders and clients.
Aligning ISO 27001 and HITRUST for Broader Assurance
ISO 27001 and HITRUST are two of the most recognized frameworks for managing information security and data protection. ISO 27001 is the global standard for information security management systems. HITRUST is a comprehensive certification framework for the healthcare industry, incorporating parts of HIPAA, NIST, and ISO.
Both ISO 27001 and HITRUST have commonalities with SOC 2, especially around security, privacy, and risk management. Aligning ISO 27001 and HITRUST assessments with SOC 2 efforts can reduce duplicate testing and streamline audit timelines. This process shows a developed, unified security posture across industries, including healthcare, financial services, and technology.
An integrated approach results in stronger governance, improved compliance ROI, and comprehensive regulatory coverage while allowing teams to focus on higher-value initiatives.
Strategic FedRAMP Integration: Reducing Risk for Cloud Service Providers
FedRAMP is a framework for cloud service providers that work with U.S. federal agencies. FedRAMP has its strict security requirements and often overlaps with other frameworks like SOC 2, ISO 27001, and HITRUST, especially as they relate to access controls, encryption, and risk management. By integrating FedRAMP assessments with existing programs, organizations can streamline compliance and meet government standards more efficiently. Aligning these processes can also raise the credibility of organizations, allowing them to go to market faster.
Integrating PCI DSS with SOC 2 and ISO 27001
Adhering to PCI DSS is required for any organization that stores, processes, or transmits cardholder data, as well as businesses that support these processes through infrastructure or services. PCI DSS is specialized in some areas, it shares some controls with SOC 2 and ISO 27001 related to information security, access control, and system monitoring. Aligning PCI requirements with existing compliance programs can help organizations cut down on audit redundancy, improve internal coordination, and establish a more efficient, secure posture for handling payment data.
Incorporating Media Rating Council (MRC) Examinations and WebTrust: Coordinated Value
MRC examinations are crucial for organizations in advertising and media, validating the accuracy and reliability of audience measurement. WebTrust, on the other hand, is tailored for digital trust—supporting online security for e-commerce platforms and certification authorities. Both frameworks emphasize data integrity and security, creating opportunities for coordination with broader attestation efforts. When integrated with assessments like SOC 2 and ISO 27001, MRC and WebTrust examinations can be conducted more efficiently, reducing audit fatigue while reinforcing trust in the systems that support digital and media transactions.
Mapping Controls Across Frameworks: A Strategic Approach to Compliance Value
Consolidating multiple attestation efforts under one firm offers measurable value by reducing the need for separate audits, eliminating redundant testing, and streamlining documentation. These efficiencies can lead to lower audit costs, better use of internal resources, and fewer operational disruptions.
The table below illustrates how SOC 2 often acts as a foundational framework, with many other attestation standards mapping closely to it. Shared control areas, such as security, privacy, and data integrity, enable an audit once, report many approach that drives consistency, improves oversight, and maximizes the return on compliance investments.
| Reporting Framework | Maps to SOC 2 | Key Overlap Areas | Additional Notes |
| SOC 1 | Yes (ITGC) | Financial reporting controls | Primarily focuses on controls relevant to financial reporting; limited overlap with IT general controls used in SOC 2 |
| SOC 2 | Foundational | Security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, privacy | Core framework for service organization controls; commonly used as the baseline for aligning other reports |
| SOC 3 | Yes | Same as SOC 2 (general use) | General-use version of SOC 2; used for broader distribution and marketing purposes |
| ISO 27001 | Yes | Information security | Internationally recognized standard; closely aligns with SOC 2, HITRUST, and FedRAMP in areas of data protection and security management |
| HITRUST | Yes | Information security, privacy controls | Framework tailored to healthcare and regulated industries; incorporates elements from HIPAA, NIST, and ISO |
| FedRAMP | Yes | Security controls, risk management | Federal requirement for cloud providers; shares control areas with SOC 2, ISO, and HITRUST |
| PCI DSS | Yes | Payment data security, access controls, risk management | Applies to any organization handling cardholder data; aligns with SOC 2 and ISO in information security domains |
| MRC | Yes | Data integrity, security | Key for media and advertising organizations; validates accuracy in audience measurement and digital metrics |
| WebTrust | Yes | Data integrity, e-commerce security | Designed for digital trust services; supports verification in online transactions and secure communications |
Frameworks like HITRUST, ISO 27001, MRC, WebTrust, FedRAMP, and PCI DSS all align closely with SOC 2 due to shared requirements for security, privacy, and data integrity.
The strongest synergies appear between SOC 2, HITRUST, ISO 27001, FedRAMP, and PCI DSS, each emphasizing information security and risk management.
For media and e-commerce organizations, MRC and WebTrust also reinforce this alignment through a shared focus on data integrity and trust assurance.
Leveraging GRC Technology for Smarter Compliance
Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) technology is a game-changer. Platforms like Hyperproof enable organizations to automate evidence collection, manage control mappings across frameworks, and centralize reporting. When combined with a consistent attestation partner, these tools reduce administrative overhead and create a repeatable, scalable compliance process.
The LBMC Advantage: Built for Today, Ready for Tomorrow
LBMC provides more than audit reports. We serve as strategic advisors, helping organizations build and sustain efficient, integrated compliance programs. By aligning technology, talent, and expertise, we help clients turn regulatory requirements into business value. Our team brings deep industry experience, a pragmatic approach, and a people-first mindset that keeps your goals front and center.
Simplify Compliance with a Unified Attestation Strategy That Builds Trust
If managing multiple audits feels overwhelming or your compliance requirements keep piling up, you don’t have to face it alone. At LBMC, we work alongside you to make the process smoother, give you clearer visibility into risks, and strengthen trust at every level of your business. Together, we’ll build a unified attestation strategy that not only reduces stress but also delivers stronger outcomes for your organization.
Content provided by Chrystal Blaskowski, Senior Manager, LBMC Cybersecurity. Contact her at chrystal.blaskowski@lbmc.com.