What is the purpose of a SOC 3 report?

The purpose of a SOC 3 report is to provide public assurance of an organization's controls related to security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy without disclosing the detailed information contained in a SOC 2 report. This type of report is intended for general public distribution, allowing businesses to demonstrate their commitment to maintaining effective controls without revealing sensitive operational details. It is particularly useful for marketing purposes, helping to build trust with potential customers or stakeholders by providing a summary of the organization's adherence to relevant security standards.

In contrast, other options serve different functions in the realm of compliance and security assessments. For example, an internal security assessment would focus on the internal controls of a specific organization. A comprehensive security audit typically dives deep into security protocols and practices, requiring more in-depth analysis and sensitive information. Financial reporting assessments are aimed at reviewing the financial statements and controls related to financial data rather than security and confidentiality.