Frequently Asked Questions
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Assurance – SOC 2
The System and Organization Control (SOC) 2 report was developed by the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) to provide detailed information about the controls you have in place to protect the security, availability, and integrity of the systems you use to process customers’ data, as well as how you honor the confidentiality and protection of that data.
Having a SOC 2 report communicates to your customers, your employees and other stakeholders that you have implemented a framework to protect them and their data. A successful audit is a critical step in building a future with customers.
We create an efficient, frictionless, end-to-end customer experience by reducing the stress of what can be a complex process. Based on our strong understanding of emerging technologies, we can articulate and guide you in best practices when it comes to security and compliance, beyond your initial audit. We are committed to and invested in your long term success and hope to partner with you throughout your company’s journey.
At present, we perform SOC 2 Type 1 and 2, HIPAA and ISO27001 audits with plans to expand our services and capabilities in the future.
You will be audit-ready after you have completed all the steps in your Vanta instance, uploaded all the required documents and all your tests show a passing status. We provide clients with proprietary materials to help them prepare for their audit and confirm their readiness.
We strive to move as quickly as our clients do. Once we enter the reporting phase, you can expect your issued report within 4-6 weeks. Advantage is committed to moving in lockstep with our customers.
No, Advantage Partners focuses on emerging, growing businesses. We’d love to partner with your team, large or small.
Your audit cost will vary depending on a couple factors including the type, your company size and complexity. We’re happy to connect with you directly on pricing.
Assurance – HIPAA
After successfully implementing the relevant HIPAA security controls, Advantage Partners will review documentation, evidence and other policies to validate the design & effectiveness of the control activities. Compliance with HIPAA is critical to ensure protected health information (PHI) and other sensitive data is protected appropriately.
It generally takes a few months to achieve HIPAA compliance and receive your full report. The complexity and size of the organization often drives the amount of time required. Advantage Partners commits to reviewing documentation & artifacts in a timely manner to streamline the review process.
Clients should understand the HIPAA framework, the necessary security controls & required evidence to become HIPAA compliant. Advantage Partners can assist with reviewing technical questions as it relates to the overall framework.
Achieving HIPAA compliance allows companies to build trust with their customers, improve their data security posture, and creates a competitive advantage when interacting with relevant stakeholders.
HIPAA regulations apply to covered entities such as healthcare providers & health plans, and also business associates who handle, store, or process protected health information (PHI). Compliance with HIPAA is mandatory for those involved in healthcare related activities. Non-compliance with HIPAA can be a serious offense, resulting in potential penalties, fines and loss of customer trust.
As a part of the engagement, we will provide security best practices, recommendations and other insights as it relates to HIPAA. Should corrective action be required, we’re invested in ensuring we help our clients make the necessary adjustments to their security & compliance programs.
At the culmination of the engagement, Advantage Partners will issue an attestation report with an opinion on a customer’s HIPAA compliance. In addition, we will include best practices around sharing this with customers, prospects and the broader public.
Assurance – ISO 27001
An Information Security Management System (ISMS) is a set of policies, processes and procedures for systematically managing the confidentiality, integrity & availability of information generated by the organization. This is the main scope of the ISO 27001 audit and engagement.
Yes – the lead auditors of our ISO 27001 auditing team have achieved ISO 27001 Lead Auditor certifications. We continuously evaluate our team’s competency & qualifications.
For initial certification audits, we conduct a Stage 1 & 2 audit. If all the requirements are met, Advantage Partners will issue a certificate, demonstrating compliance to the ISO 27001 standard. ISO 27001 certificates are valid for a three year period, and we will perform surveillance audits in successive years to validate the effectiveness of the ISMS. At the end of Year 3, we will perform a recertification audit to re-issue the ISO certificate.
The process can vary depending on a client’s readiness, identified non-conformities and overall compliance posture. On average, however, it usually takes 2-3 months once the ISO 27001 audit begins.
After a certificate has been granted, we will perform ongoing surveillance audits to validate the continued effectiveness of the ISMS.
Clients will receive an issued certificate with information about conformance to the ISO 27001 standard.
Advisory
Advisory – Penetration Testing
Penetration testing (often called “pen testing”) is a proactive cybersecurity measure where authorized professionals simulate cyberattacks on your systems, applications, or networks to identify vulnerabilities before malicious actors can exploit them. This allows organizations to uncover weaknesses, validate security controls, and strengthen their defenses.
Penetration testing provides assurance that your systems and data are protected against real-world threats. It helps you identify vulnerabilities early, meet compliance requirements, and demonstrate your commitment to security to customers and partners. Ultimately, it reduces risk and builds trust with your stakeholders.
We recommend conducting penetration testing at least annually or after any significant system change, such as application updates, infrastructure modifications, or the deployment of new technology. Regular testing ensures continuous protection and compliance with evolving industry standards.
We provide a variety of penetration testing services tailored to your organization’s needs, including:
- Network Penetration Testing: Identifies weaknesses in internal and external infrastructure.
- Web Application Testing: Evaluates security flaws in applications and APIs.
- Mobile Application Testing: Examines vulnerabilities in iOS and Android apps.
- Cloud Environment Testing: Ensures configurations and data storage within prevalent cloud platforms are secure.
Our process begins with a detailed scoping exercise to understand your environment and objectives. We then perform controlled, simulated attacks to identify vulnerabilities, followed by a comprehensive report that includes risk assessments, and remediation guidance. Once completed, we partner with your team to outline remediation steps to validate any necessary fixes.
You will receive a detailed report highlighting each vulnerability discovered, its risk level, and actionable recommendations to address them. Advantage Partners also provides a debrief session to review results, discuss mitigation strategies, and outline next steps for strengthening your security posture.
We offer free retesting for a period of 90 days after the initial report delivery. We recognize our responsibility to assist our clients in remediation once we help identify any system vulnerabilities. Once vulnerabilities have been addressed, we’re happy to retest them to validate any implemented fixes.
Yes. Many industry standards and regulations, such as SOC 2, HIPAA, ISO/IEC 27001, PCI DSS, and others, require or recommend penetration testing as part of their security controls. Our reports can be used to demonstrate compliance and satisfy customer security due diligence requests.
Our testing is performed by experienced professionals who combine technical expertise with a consultative approach. We provide clear communication, tailored testing scopes, and actionable insights, helping your organization not only uncover vulnerabilities but also build a stronger, more resilient security posture.
Advisory – CMCC
CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) is the DoD’s framework for ensuring contractors protect sensitive defense information. Any business that handles Federal Contract Information (FCI) or Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) will need to meet CMMC requirements.
Most businesses working with the DoD will need to meet Level 1 (Foundational) or Level 2 (Advanced) requirements, depending on the sensitivity of the data they handle.
Beginning with contracts phased in after 2025, CMMC requirements will be included in DoD contracts.
Depending on your current cybersecurity maturity, it can take anywhere from 3 to 12 months to reach full readiness, including gap assessments, remediation, and documentation.
A Registered Provider Organization (RPO) helps you prepare for certification, while a Certified Third-Party Assessment Organization (C3PAO) performs the official audit.
Microsoft GCC High is often recommended for companies handling CUI, but it’s not a blanket requirement. The need depends on your environment, data sensitivity, and chosen compliance path.
Costs vary based on scope, level, and size of your organization. Advantage Partners helps you right-size your CMMC strategy so compliance remains achievable and cost-effective.
Yes. Maintaining compliance is an ongoing process — we offer advisory services and tools to help monitor and sustain your cybersecurity posture.
