When organisations choose an online voting provider, they often compare features first—electronic ballots, proxy voting, meeting integration or reporting.

Those things matter.

But before any vote is cast, there’s a more fundamental question:

Can you trust the platform with your members’ data and your organisation’s most important decisions?

Security certifications help answer that question. Yet many organisations see terms like ISO 27001 and SOC 2 Type II without understanding what they actually mean—or why some providers have one but not the other.

The two standards are often confused, but they measure different aspects of information security.

For organisations running AGMs, board elections, enterprise agreement ballots, union votes or member polls, understanding the difference can make procurement decisions much easier.

What Is ISO 27001?

ISO/IEC 27001:2022 is the world’s leading international standard for Information Security Management Systems (ISMS).

Rather than assessing a single application or server, ISO 27001 evaluates how an organisation manages information security across its entire business.

Certification requires an independent auditor to assess whether an organisation has established, implemented, maintained and continually improved an effective security management system.

The standard covers areas including:

Certification isn’t permanent.

Organisations undergo ongoing surveillance audits and periodic recertification to demonstrate that security controls continue to operate effectively.

For customers, ISO 27001 provides confidence that security is embedded into day-to-day operations—not simply added when convenient.

What Is SOC 2 Type II?

SOC 2 is an assurance framework developed by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA).

Unlike ISO 27001, which focuses on an organisation’s information security management system, SOC 2 Type II evaluates whether security controls actually operate effectively over a defined period of time.

That’s an important distinction.

A Type I report examines whether controls are appropriately designed at a single point in time.

A Type II report goes much further.

Independent auditors test evidence collected over several months to verify that controls consistently function as intended.

Depending on the engagement, the report may assess one or more of the AICPA’s Trust Services Criteria:

For technology providers, a Type II audit provides assurance that documented controls aren’t merely written policies—they’re being followed consistently in real operations.

ISO 27001 vs SOC 2 Type II: What’s the Difference?

Although they’re frequently mentioned together, they answer different questions.

The two frameworks complement each other rather than compete.

Think of ISO 27001 as verifying that an organisation has built a comprehensive security management system.

SOC 2 Type II demonstrates that the organisation follows those controls consistently in practice.

Why Does This Matter for Online Voting?

Online voting platforms process highly sensitive information.

Depending on the election, they may hold:

Organisations need confidence that these assets remain protected before, during and after voting.

Strong security isn’t simply about preventing cyber attacks.

It also supports:

When security processes are independently assessed, organisations can make procurement decisions based on objective evidence rather than marketing claims.

Common Misconceptions

“ISO 27001 means the software is secure.”
Not exactly. ISO 27001 certifies an organisation’s management system—not a single application. However, maintaining an effective ISMS requires organisations to identify, assess and manage risks affecting systems and information assets.

“SOC 2 Type II replaces ISO 27001.”
No. SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001 address different objectives. Many mature SaaS providers maintain both because customers increasingly expect evidence of both governance and operational effectiveness.

“Only large enterprises need these certifications.”
Not anymore. Community organisations, not-for-profits, unions, strata managers and listed companies all manage sensitive personal information. Security expectations have risen across every sector. Selecting a provider with independently assessed security practices helps reduce procurement risk regardless of organisational size.

Why Vero Voting Maintains Both

At Vero Voting, protecting election integrity extends well beyond secure ballots.

Security forms part of every stage of our platform, operations and governance.

That’s why Vero Voting maintains:

Together, these independent assessments provide customers with confidence that security is both well managed and consistently implemented.

This is particularly important for organisations conducting:

Combined with secure voter authentication, immutable audit trails, Australian data hosting and robust operational controls, these certifications reinforce Vero Voting’s commitment to trustworthy digital elections.

What Should Organisations Look for When Comparing Voting Providers?

Security certifications shouldn’t be the only consideration, but they deserve careful attention.

Before selecting an online voting provider, consider asking:

These questions often reveal far more than a feature comparison table.

Key Takeaways

At Vero Voting, these certifications reflect an ongoing commitment to protecting every stage of the voting process—from voter authentication through to final reporting and audit.

If your organisation is planning an AGM, election or member ballot and would like to understand how independent security certifications support trustworthy voting, contact Vero Voting or request a demonstration. We’re happy to explain our approach and help you choose a solution that meets your governance and security requirements.

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