What Security Certifications Do Platforms Maintain?
See which security certifications leading martech and data platforms maintain so you can assess risk, satisfy regulators, and reassure stakeholders.
Most enterprise-grade marketing and data platforms maintain a mix of independent security certifications and attestations, such as SOC 2 Type II for controls, ISO/IEC 27001 for information security management, and—when in scope—ISO/IEC 27701 for privacy, PCI DSS for cardholder data, or HITRUST/HIPAA-aligned controls for health data. Cloud providers may also hold FedRAMP or regional government authorizations. Together with documented data protection addenda and penetration-test reports, these certifications help you evidence that platforms meet your security, risk, and regulatory expectations.
Core Security Certifications to Look For
Evaluating Security Certifications Across Your Platform Stack
Use this approach to understand which certifications matter, how to verify them, and how to connect them to your own security and compliance obligations.
Inventory → Map → Verify → Gap-Analyze → Negotiate → Monitor → Refresh
- Inventory platforms and data flows: List the martech, CRM, data, and AI platforms that store or process customer and account data. Note what data they hold and which regulations apply.
- Map required certifications by risk: With Security and Compliance, decide which certifications or attestations are required or preferred for each platform based on data sensitivity and use cases.
- Verify certificates and reports: Request SOC 2 reports, ISO certificates, and PCI/HITRUST documentation from vendor trust centers or NDAs, checking scope, dates, and auditor details.
- Identify and document gaps: Compare what a vendor maintains versus your expectations. Record gaps (e.g., missing SOC 2, limited scope) and the compensating controls they offer.
- Negotiate controls into contracts: Use MSAs, DPAs, and security addenda to formalize access to reports, breach notification timelines, and commitments to maintain or pursue certifications.
- Monitor renewals and exceptions: Track expiration dates, remediation plans, and any material audit findings. Escalate risks that impact regulatory or internal-policy requirements.
- Refresh your view annually: Revisit platform certifications at least yearly, or when use cases change (e.g., AI decisioning, new product lines) that raise security or regulatory expectations.
Security Certification Capability Maturity Matrix
| Capability | From (Ad Hoc) | To (Operationalized) | Owner | Primary KPI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Platform Inventory | Unclear which tools hold sensitive data | Current catalog of platforms, data classes, and regulatory scope | Security / Architecture | In-Scope Platforms Cataloged |
| Certification Requirements | Case-by-case expectations | Standard certification requirements by risk tier and data type | Risk & Compliance | Platforms with Defined Requirements |
| Evidence Management | Scattered reports in email threads | Central repository for SOC, ISO, and other evidence with clear ownership | Vendor Risk / Security | Evidence Freshness (Average Age) |
| Contractual Controls | Generic security clauses | Contracts that reference specific certifications, reporting, and notice obligations | Procurement / Legal | Contracts with Certification Clauses |
| AI & Advanced Analytics | Limited view of AI security posture | Defined expectations for AI platforms, including model governance and data protections | Analytics / Model Risk | AI Platforms Meeting Security Criteria |
| Exam & Client Readiness | Slow response to auditor and client requests | Pre-built security and certification packs for regulators, auditors, and institutional clients | Risk / Client Reporting | Time to Respond to Evidence Requests |
Client Snapshot: Security Certifications That Support Growth
A financial institution consolidating its martech stack needed stronger proof of platform security for regulators and institutional clients. By standardizing certification requirements, centralizing SOC and ISO evidence, and tightening contracting, the team cut vendor security review time by 50% and improved win rates in risk-sensitive deals. See how security, trust, and growth come together in our funded accounts perspective and our broader financial services practice.
Strong security certifications don’t replace due diligence—but they give your teams a defensible baseline for choosing platforms that can support regulated, data-driven growth.
Frequently Asked Questions about Platform Security Certifications
Build a Platform Stack Regulators and Clients Can Trust
We’ll help you connect platform security certifications, vendor risk, and marketing performance into a single, defensible story.
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