What does a SOC 3 Report Type 1 cover?

A SOC 3 Report Type 1 focuses on a point-in-time assessment of the design effectiveness of an organization’s controls. This type of report evaluates whether the controls are suitably designed to meet the relevant trust services criteria but does not involve an operational effectiveness assessment over a period of time. The goal is to provide assurance to stakeholders that the control environment is properly designed, which can reassure users without disclosing sensitive operational details.

In contrast, continuous assessments of security controls, ongoing evaluations of operational effectiveness, and historical reviews of security incidents are associated with different types of reports or assessments, which are not the focus of a SOC 3 Report Type 1. For instance, SOC 2 reports cover operational effectiveness over time rather than just the design. Therefore, the nature of the SOC 3 Report Type 1 clearly aligns with assessing design effectiveness at a specific moment, making it the correct choice.