Which type of report assesses an organization's security, availability, processing integrity, and privacy controls?

The choice indicating SOC 2 is correct because SOC 2 reports specifically evaluate an organization’s controls related to security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy. These areas align closely with the trust services criteria established by the AICPA, which are essential for organizations that store customer data in the cloud.

This type of report is intended for a broader audience and provides insights into how companies manage data in a way that protects the interests of their clients and the privacy of their data. SOC 2 reports are particularly relevant for technology and cloud computing companies as they demonstrate a commitment to maintaining strict security controls.

Other report types serve different purposes. For instance, SOC 1 focuses primarily on the internal controls over financial reporting, which is less comprehensive when it comes to data security and privacy. SOC 3 is a general-use report that provides a summary of a SOC 2 audit, but it doesn't offer the same level of detail regarding the specific operational controls. An external audit report typically covers broader financial statements and compliance, rather than a focused assessment of specific security and privacy controls. Thus, SOC 2 is uniquely positioned to directly address the security, availability, processing integrity, and privacy of systems utilized by the organization.