How an AI EdTech Platform Achieved SOC 2 Type II & GDPR Compliance in Record Time?

ThinkSys helped an AI-powered EdTech company secure both SOC 2 Type II attestation and GDPR compliance through a methodical approach. Without proper certification, data security breaches, regulatory penalties, and business growth barriers were real concerns for our client. The company partnered with ThinkSys to develop and execute a comprehensive security and compliance roadmap. After this, SOC 2 Type II attestation was completed in 20 weeks, and GDPR compliance was achieved in 14 weeks. This systematic approach ensured that the EdTech company met every requirement while maintaining normal business operations.

Meet Our Client

This EdTech company provides an AI-enabled platform to power student discussions, grade assignments, and develop critical thinking skills. As their student and teacher user base grew, they needed solid data security and compliance measures. 

The Challenge: why was compliance critical for this AI edtech platform?

The stakes were high. Without SOC 2 certification and GDPR compliance, they faced significant risks:

1. Data Security & Privacy Risks: The company lacked basic security controls to protect student data. They had no processes for handling data rights requests or managing user consent.
2. Regulatory & Legal Risks: While the company's data processing practices met US compliance standards, potential EU expansion posed significant risks. Their current data handling methods would trigger GDPR violations in the European market, exposing them to fines of up to €20 million for non-compliance with EU user privacy requirements.
3. Business & Market Risks: Many US educational institutions wouldn't work with vendors lacking SOC 2 certification. The company couldn't expand into European markets without GDPR compliance and struggled to partner with universities and enterprise clients.
4. Operational Gaps: The organization needed proper security policies and documentation. Without a vendor assessment framework, they couldn't effectively manage third-party risks.

The Solution

ThinkSys stepped in to help them navigate these compliance challenges and secure their future growth. We proposed a strategy that includes:

1. Developing comprehensive security policies that meet SOC 2 and GDPR standards, including detailed documentation of controls and procedures.
2. Creating a structured evidence collection system to gather and validate 180+ compliance documents, covering security protocols and operational procedures.
3. Implementing cloud security measures and risk assessment frameworks with regular vulnerability scanning and remediation protocols.
4. Setting up data governance systems, including user consent management, vendor assessment processes, and third-party risk management controls.
5. Establishing ongoing security training programs and audit procedures, with clear protocols for internal reviews and external audit preparation.

Results: The Strategic Roadmap Led by ThinkSys

Here's how we strengthened security and compliance, leading to faster growth and better partnerships.

• We completed SOC 2 Type II certification in 20 weeks and met all GDPR standards in 14 weeks. This gave us sound data security and full regulatory compliance.
• We upgraded security across the board - better encryption, tighter access controls, and real-time threat monitoring. This reduced risk exposure and sped up our response times when issues arose.
• By meeting every GDPR requirement, we removed potential legal and financial risks. This opened doors for our client to expand confidently into European markets.
• Educational institutions trusted our clients more after these upgrades. They stood out from competitors and found it easier to partner with universities and connect with investors.
• Their operations ran smoother with clear security policies and better data handling. Sales moved faster too, since security reviews weren't blocking deals anymore.

Step-by-Step Approach to Strengthen Security & Compliance

Step 1: Security & Policy Enhancement

Step 2: Documentation & Evidence Management

Step 3: Cloud Infrastructure Protection

Step 4: Strategic Risk & Vendor Oversight

Step 5: Employee Security Education

Step 6: Pre-Audit Assessment

Step 7: External Certification Support

Conclusion: Key Takeaways from the Compliance Journey

From the start, ThinkSys followed a proven strategy for this EdTech company so they could get SOC 2 Type II and GDPR compliance. Our approach focused on bringing security right from the start. We helped them strengthen their data protection while opening doors to new enterprise clients and markets.

Our team has helped many companies with this process successfully. Talk to our security experts now if you want expert guidance on SOC 2 or GDPR compliance.