Wendt Partners, a B2B growth consulting agency, has become the first North American HubSpot Elite Partner – and one of the only HubSpot partners worldwide – to Achieve SOC 2 Type 1 certification. By collaborating with BD Emerson, Wendt Partners was able to build out controls that aligned with SOC 2 Type 1, HIPAA, ISO 27001, and GDPR standards in less than 90 days.

About Wendt Partners

Through their platform, Wendt Partners offers clients a B2B Growth Stack, which is a customized strategy centered on marketing, sales, and CRM solutions. With headquarters in New York and offices in Toronto, London and Melbourne, the agency has built an impressive record of success over 17 years in business, having served hundreds of clients including Fortune 500 companies. With a scope of services encompassing Platform Solutions, Technical Solutions, Enablement Solutions, Digital Solutions and Growth Solutions, the firm is a full-service, IT-centered solutions provider for members of the HubSpot ecosystem. 

What is SOC 2? Why Pursue It?

SOC 2 (System and Organization Controls 2) is a framework developed by the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) for managing and protecting customer data based on five “Trust Service Criteria”  including security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy. SOC 2 Type 1 evaluates the design of a service provider's system and the suitability of its controls in meeting the relevant trust principles over a short period or “snapshot” of time.

Attaining these global standards enables Wendt Partners to provide HubSpot implementation services to clients worldwide who demand or require the highest levels of IT security, data protection, data privacy, and compliance with relevant industry regulations.

Key Takeaways

  • Wendt Partners turned to BD Emerson to build controls and policies that aligned with SOC 2 Type 1, HIPAA, ISO 27001, and GDPR standards and implement the following cutting edge security technologies:

Vanta: Trust management tool

Venn: Secure enclave for unmanaged/BYOD computers

Crowdstrike: Security management

NinjaOne: Endpoint management

Google: Enterprise user management and security

  • Wendt Partners successfully completed the SOC 2 Type 1 audit and was validated against that standard by a third-party attestation firm. The agency is now moving forward with preparations for SOC 2 Type 2 and is in a monitoring window. 
  • Wendt passed the Stage 1 ISO 27001 audit and is planning on sitting for stage two in August to achieve the global security standard, ISO 27001.
  • During this robust compliance initiative, Wendt Partners underwent audits against NIST’s cybersecurity framework (CSF 2.0); and the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) standard as well.
  • Wendt Partners published the firm’s new Trust Center online at trust.wendtpartners.com which contains information on the more than 79 controls actively in place, and also provides links to request access to the firm's SOC 2 Type 1 report as well as its documented plans, policies, and standards.

Impact

As HubSpot rolls out its Sensitive Data capabilities and expands its enterprise customer relationship management (CRM) solutions into more and varied  enterprises, Wendt Partners is more than capable of offering  a full range of services at the highest level of trust for HubSpot’s members and their clients. As Wendt Partners continues to expand its reach and service offerings, the streamlined use of cutting-edge technology and strict security controls will help their team stay up-to-date with regulatory changes, key security insights, and HubSpot data privacy concerns.

“I have been in the enterprise technology industry for more than thirty years, and the security of client data and resources has always been at the forefront of my approach to client systems and success,” says Douglas Wendt, Co-Founder and Senior Partner. “It is truly an honor for us to have worked as a team to achieve this standard, and to deliver world-class security to our valued enterprise clients.”

BD Emerson’s Expert Guidance

BD Emerson’s partnership with Wendt Partners has effectively  transformed their cybersecurity landscape, aligning them with SOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR, and ISO 27001 standards. This security overhaul has not only emphasized Wendt Partners' commitment to data security, but has elevated their reputation as a trusted B2B marketing consultancy and HubSpot Elite Partner. By implementing robust controls and integrating advanced tools like Vanta, Wendt Partners is poised to meet evolving security challenges and expand their client base. Their dedication to maintaining high cybersecurity standards ensures they remain a top choice for organizations seeking reliable and secure growth solutions.

Transform Your Company’s Cybersecurity Landscape Today

Is  your company a HubSpot partner? Are you looking to level up your existing security and compliance practices? If so, contact us and set up a consultation! 

Schedule a Consultation. 

Wendt Partners Becomes First North American HubSpot Elite Partner to Achieve SOC 2 IT Security Standard by Partnering with BD Emerson

About the author

Name

Role

Managing Director

About

Drew spearheads BD Emerson's Governance, Risk, Compliance, and Security (GRC+Sec) division, where he channels his expertise into guiding clients through the labyrinth of Information Security, Risk Management, Regulatory Compliance, Data Governance, and Privacy. His stewardship is key in developing tailored programs that not only address the unique challenges faced by businesses but also foster a culture of security and compliance.

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