PCI-DSS vs SOC 2
Two of the most requested compliance frameworks in B2B software procurement — and two of the most commonly misunderstood. PCI-DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) is a prescriptive, payment-specific framework with 12 exact requirements and quarterly scanning mandates. SOC 2 (Service Organization Control 2) is a principles-based framework with 5 Trust Service Criteria that auditors interpret flexibly. Understanding when each applies, what they cover, and how they overlap is essential for any organization handling sensitive data.
PCI-DSS
SOC 2
SOC-2🏆 Verdict
If you process, store, or transmit credit card data, PCI-DSS compliance is legally mandatory — and non-compliance can result in fines of $5,000-$100,000 per month plus potential revocation of your ability to accept card payments. If you're a SaaS or cloud service provider selling to enterprises, SOC 2 Type II certification is a de facto market requirement — 93% of enterprise procurement teams require it (Vanta 2024 survey). Many organizations need both: a fintech startup processing payments through Stripe still needs PCI-DSS for card handling AND SOC 2 for their overall security posture. Precogs AI's vulnerability scanning provides evidence artifacts that map to both frameworks' vulnerability management requirements.
🔍 Key Insights
PCI-DSS v4.0 (mandatory from March 2025) added significant new requirements around client-side JavaScript integrity monitoring (Requirement 6.4.3) and automated log review (Requirement 10.4.1.1). These changes directly impact web application security — making SAST/DAST scanning evidence more valuable than ever for PCI compliance.
SOC 2 audit costs range from $20K-$100K for Type II (6-12 month audit period), while PCI-DSS Level 1 QSA assessments typically cost $50K-$200K annually. For startups, automated compliance platforms like Vanta and Drata have reduced SOC 2 costs to ~$25K total, but PCI-DSS remains expensive due to the quarterly ASV scanning requirement.
Both frameworks require "regular vulnerability scanning" — PCI-DSS specifies quarterly external ASV scans (Requirement 11.3.2) and internal scans after significant changes, while SOC 2 auditors look for continuous scanning evidence under the Security criterion. Precogs AI's automated scanning provides the evidence trail both frameworks demand.
At a Glance
| Attribute | PCI-DSS | SOC 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Severity | N/A | N/A |
| Category | Payment Security | Trust & Assurance |
| Year | 2004+ | 2010+ |
| Remediation | High | Medium |
| Precogs Domain | Compliance | Compliance |
Detect Both in Your Codebase
Precogs AI scans source code, compiled binaries, and AI-generated code for both vulnerability classes — automatically.
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