What is the main purpose of standards such as SOC reports?

The main purpose of standards such as SOC (Service Organization Control) reports is to assess service provider controls. SOC reports are specifically designed to evaluate and communicate the effectiveness of an organization’s internal controls related to the handling of data and information. These reports provide insights into the controls that manage risk in the cloud or other service environments, focusing on variables such as confidentiality, availability, processing integrity, privacy, and security.

The assessment provided by SOC reports is critical for organizations that rely on third-party vendors for services, as these reports reassure clients that the vendor has adequate controls in place to protect their data. The structured nature of SOC reports helps ensure that both clients and auditors can refer to a consistent and comprehensive framework for understanding how service providers manage their operational risks.

The other options, while related to broader service provider agreements and expectations, do not encapsulate the core purpose of SOC reports, which is focused specifically on assessing and validating internal controls of the service provider.