As more organizations rely on the cloud to store critical data, the stakes around compliance and security keep rising. Regulations like GDPR and HIPAA are putting pressure on businesses to demonstrate that their data handling practices are sound, and customers increasingly want evidence—not just assurances—that their data is protected.
Every cloud provider claims to be “secure.” But as a risk owner and decision-maker, you need more than a marketing tagline. You need proof. That’s where SOC 2 Type 2 compliance comes in. At Backblaze, we don’t just meet this benchmark—we go beyond it. Unlike many cloud storage providers (CSPs) that may have only SOC 2 compliant data centers, Backblaze has also undergone the rigorous SOC 2 assessment at the company level.
What is SOC 2, and why does it matter?
SOC 2 (aka System and Organization Controls) is an assessment created by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). It evaluates how service providers operate based on Trust Services Criteria:
- Security
- Availability
- Confidentiality
- Privacy
- Processing integrity
Every SOC 2 assessment includes Security as the foundation, and organizations may also be evaluated against additional criteria that align with their services. Our assessment covers both Security and Availability, demonstrating that our systems are protected against unauthorized access and are resilient, reliable, and consistently accessible when you need them.
At Backblaze, we’ve put the right controls in place to meet these standards, such as:
- Strong access management policies.
- Redundant infrastructure to protect uptime.
- Regular penetration testing and incident response reviews.
The business impact? You can rely on us to keep your data safe and accessible—without adding unnecessary risk to your operations.
Type 1 vs. Type 2: A key distinction
There are two types of SOC 2 examinations:
- Type 1 shows that a company has the right controls in place at a specific point in time.
- Type 2 goes further by validating that those controls are consistently followed and effective over a defined period.
Backblaze has achieved and consistently maintained SOC 2 Type 2 compliance. That distinction matters—it means you’re not just trusting that we say the right things, but that we do the right things, day in and day out.
What SOC 2 compliance delivers
SOC 2 compliance isn’t just a checkbox exercise. It provides meaningful assurances that directly affect your business:
- Risk mitigation: Independent validation that controls work as intended.
- Trust and credibility: Confidence that your cloud provider takes security seriously.
- Vendor due diligence: Simplifies compliance reviews for your team.
- Data integrity & availability: Assurance that your data remains reliable and accessible.
In short, SOC 2 compliance reduces uncertainty—making it easier for you to move forward with cloud adoption and scale with confidence.
SOC 2 data centers vs. SOC 2 as a company
It’s important to distinguish between compliance at the data center level and compliance at the company level.
- SOC 2 compliant data centers: These examinations focus on the physical facility—things like access controls, environmental monitoring, and fire suppression. Many CSPs rely on SOC 2 certified facilities.
- SOC 2 compliance as a company: This examination covers the provider’s internal operations, including policies, processes, and personnel practices. It examines how the service is built, run, and maintained.
Backblaze offers both. Our data centers are SOC 2 compliant, and our company is also SOC 2 Type 2 compliant.
Think of it like a bank: Secure vaults are critical (data centers), but so are strong internal policies and trained staff (company compliance). And, of course, you want both. That’s what we call defense in depth—end-to-end assurance that reduces risk and builds trust.
Surprisingly, you’ll find that many CSPs have SOC 2 data centers, but do not hold SOC 2 compliance at the company level.
Inside the SOC 2 audit process
SOC 2 evaluations are performed by independent third-party CPA firms, which ensures the results are objective and credible. The process includes:
- Scoping: Identifying which systems and processes are reviewed.
- Control documentation: Recording policies and procedures.
- Evidence collection: Proving that controls are in place.
- Testing & evaluation: Verifying effectiveness over time.
- Reporting: Delivering findings in a formal report.
At Backblaze, this isn’t a one-and-done exercise. We undergo annual audits, maintain robust monitoring, and test our systems regularly. For example:
- Incident response plans, playbooks, and processes are reviewed and updated as needed.
- Penetration testing, the public bug bounty program, and our vulnerability management processes are designed to proactively identify, evaluate, prioritize, and remediate potential vulnerabilities.
- Change management ensures updates don’t introduce unnecessary risk.
Each step reinforces our commitment to security and transparency—so you don’t have to take our word for it.
Policies that protect your data
Policies and processes are the backbone of an effective SOC 2 program. At Backblaze, these policies aren’t just written down; they’re embedded in how we operate every day.
Change management (Security, Availability)
Changes that impact our systems, infrastructure, or software are controlled, tested, and approved before release. This prevents unauthorized or accidental changes that could disrupt operations or compromise security. For customers, this means you can rely on a stable, reliable storage platform that won’t jeopardize your workflows.
Logging & monitoring (Security, Availability)
We log system activities, monitor access attempts, and alert on high priority security events around the clock. We have implemented features such as Anomaly Alerts to support notifying customers about unusual file upload and download patterns. Bucket Access Logs give you visibility into who accessed your data and when—adding both accountability and an audit trail for incident response.
Media handling & drive destruction (Security)
Physical media like drives are tightly controlled throughout their lifecycle. When a drive reaches end-of-life, it undergoes a secure erasure process. If it is not able to be securely erased, the device is destroyed, ensuring data is completely unrecoverable.
Environmental security (Availability)
Protecting data also means protecting the environment where it lives. Our data centers are equipped with redundant power and cooling systems, fire suppression, and environmental monitoring. Facilities are staffed 24/7/365 to respond to incidents in real time. These measures ensure uptime and business continuity—even in the face of physical disruptions like outages or natural disasters.
Each of these policies maps directly back to Trust Services Criteria, but more importantly, they translate into reduced risk, stronger reliability, and greater peace of mind for your business.
Why Backblaze stands apart
If you’re evaluating cloud storage providers, you can request a copy of our SOC 2 Type 2 report through Whistic. Backblaze currently offers 3 profiles on Whistic: Education Industry profile link, EU Customers profile link, or All Other Customers profile link. Once you have signed up, or signed in, you will be able to view or download the applicable documents and questionnaires.
Backblaze’s combination of SOC 2 compliant data centers and company-wide SOC 2 Type 2 compliance provides a higher level of assurance than many providers offer. That additional assurance is a powerful differentiator, especially for businesses in regulated industries.
And we’re not stopping here. Security isn’t static. We commit to annual assessments, continuous monitoring, and adapting to new threats as they emerge—so you can trust that your data is in good hands today, tomorrow, and beyond.
