Why SOC 2 Compliance Matters

As a personal injury attorney, your clients trust you with some of their most sensitive personal information. In turn, you rely on vendors to uphold that same level of care when managing protected health information (PHI). When those vendors handle medical records—documents at the center of your cases—their ability to safeguard those records is not just important. It is essential.

That is why SOC 2 compliance matters. Your firm cannot afford to partner with a record retrieval service that fails to meet industry-recognized standards for data security, availability, and confidentiality. At National Record Retrieval, we are committed to helping your firm streamline record collection while ensuring your data remains secure. Our record retrieval processes are designed to meet the highest security protocols, so you can move cases forward with confidence.

What SOC 2 Compliance Means

Service Organization Control 2 (SOC 2) is an auditing standard developed by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. It evaluates a service provider’s internal controls related to five key trust service criteria:

  • Security
  • Availability
  • Processing integrity
  • Confidentiality
  • Privacy

For firms handling protected health information (PHI) or personally identifiable information (PII), these benchmarks are not optional—they are foundational.

Many record retrieval companies make vague claims about security. SOC 2 compliance, by contrast, requires an independent audit and detailed documentation. The audit assesses how a company manages data throughout its systems and evaluates its ability to protect against unauthorized access, system failures, and data loss. A SOC 2-certified record retrieval partner gives your firm proof—not just promises—of its data safeguards.

This distinction is especially crucial for firms that handle HIPAA-sensitive information. SOC 2 compliance is important because a vendor that fails to meet these standards could put your firm at risk of compliance violations, ethical breaches, and lost client trust.

SOC 2 Benefits for Personal Injury Law Firms

Complying with SOC 2 standards matters because it does more than offer peace of mind. It creates tangible operational benefits for personal injury law firms. When you work with a retrieval partner that is SOC 2-compliant, you are far less likely to face delays due to security audits, access denials, or lost documents.

Additionally, compliant systems are designed to provide consistent uptime, which means fewer disruptions to your workflow. From intake to settlement, every part of your case management process depends on timely access to client records. SOC 2 systems ensure those records are retrievable, trackable, and stored in encrypted environments, reducing the chances of data breaches or unauthorized disclosures.

Choosing a retrieval partner with verified security practices also reflects your firm’s commitment to excellence. Clients increasingly want to know that their personal information is being handled with care. Demonstrating that your vendors meet SOC 2 standards could enhance your firm’s reputation and increase client confidence in your services.

Red Flags When a Retrieval Partner Is Not SOC 2 Compliant

Firms that partner with non-compliant vendors take on unnecessary risk. Red flags may include:

  • Lack of documented internal controls or policies
  • No encryption protocols for stored or transferred data
  • Inconsistent data access or retrieval timelines
  • No independent audit history or certification
  • Unclear or outdated confidentiality agreements

If a record retrieval company cannot demonstrate how it protects client data, it may be time to reevaluate the partnership. An SOC 2-compliant retrieval partner offers significant benefits, helping to mitigate liability, reducing friction, and ultimately supporting a smoother litigation process.

Choose an SOC 2-Compliant Retrieval Partner for Your Firm

Data security is not a luxury—it is a requirement. That is why SOC 2 compliance matters to your firm. Your clients deserve to know their information is being handled with the highest level of protection, and your practice deserves a partner that takes that responsibility seriously.

If you are evaluating your firm’s vendors or seeking to streamline your operations, choosing a partner with SOC 2 compliance may be the best next step. Contact National Record Retrieval today to learn how our secure systems and professional processes could support your success.