What is the term for a report that contains no actual data about security controls and is referred to as the "seal of approval"?

The term refers to the SOC 3 report, which is known as the "seal of approval." SOC 3 reports serve as a publicly accessible summary of a service organization's controls related to security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy. Unlike SOC 1 and SOC 2, which contain detailed information and are intended for specific audiences such as management or regulatory bodies, SOC 3 reports are designed for a broader audience and do not include any sensitive information. This makes them suitable for marketing purposes, allowing organizations to demonstrate their commitment to security and compliance without disclosing specific operational practices or confidential client data.

In contrast, SOC 1 focuses on financial reporting controls relevant to user entities, while SOC 2 provides details on the effectiveness of controls related specifically to the Trust Services Criteria. A compliance report typically contains information on adherence to various regulations or standards but does not fulfill the same purpose or provide the same kind of high-level assurance as a SOC 3 report. The clear distinction of SOC 3 as the report that acts as a kind of endorsement of trust in an organization's security practices underscores its designation as the "seal of approval."