How to Automate SOC 2 Evidence Collection

To automate SOC 2 evidence collection, you must integrate your GRC platform (like Drata or Vanta) with an AI-powered evidence agent like Screenata. While GRCs automate infrastructure monitoring via APIs, Screenata captures application-level evidence by recording UI workflows, generating screenshots with verifiable metadata, and producing structured PDF reports that map directly to SOC 2 Trust Services Criteria (TSC).

Why Manual SOC 2 Evidence Collection No Longer Scales

In 2026, the volume of data and the frequency of audits make manual evidence collection a significant business risk. Traditional methods—manually taking screenshots, pasting them into Word documents, and hunting for timestamps—are prone to human error and consume hundreds of engineering hours.

The Problem: The "20% Manual Gap"

Most organizations use GRC platforms like Vanta or Drata to automate about 80% of their SOC 2 controls. These tools are excellent at checking if an AWS S3 bucket is encrypted or if a GitHub repository has branch protection enabled via API.

However, they cannot "see" inside your application. This creates a "20% manual gap" for controls that require visual proof of a process, such as:

CC6.1 (Logical Access): Proving a "Viewer" cannot access "Admin" settings.
CC7.2 (Change Management): Documenting the manual approval of a sensitive configuration change.
CC8.1 (System Operations): Capturing proof of a manual vulnerability triage process.

The Cost of Manual Documentation

For a typical mid-market SaaS company, manual evidence collection results in:

Time Loss: 40–80 hours per quarter spent on "screenshot duty."
Context Switching: Engineers are pulled away from product development to satisfy auditor requests.
Audit Friction: Inconsistent evidence leads to "follow-up" requests from auditors, extending the audit window by weeks.

How SOC 2 Evidence Automation Works

Modern SOC 2 automation uses agentic AI to bridge the gap between your application’s UI and your GRC’s dashboard. Instead of a human performing a test and documenting it, an AI agent records the workflow and generates the documentation automatically.

The Screenata Workflow

Select a Control: Choose the specific SOC 2 control (e.g., CC6.1) you need to document.
Record the Test: Use the Screenata browser extension to record yourself (or an AI agent) performing the control test within your application.
AI Extraction: Screenata’s AI uses OCR and computer vision to identify the key elements of the test (e.g., "Access Denied" messages, user role labels).
Evidence Pack Generation: The system compiles a PDF report containing the control ID, tester name, timestamps, and annotated screenshots.
Direct Sync: The generated pack is automatically uploaded to your GRC’s evidence library.

Step-by-Step Guide: Automating Application-Level Controls

If you are preparing for a SOC 2 Type II audit, follow this framework to automate your manual evidence collection.

Step 1: Map Your Manual Controls

Identify which controls in your GRC are marked as "Manual" or "Requires Upload." Typically, these are application-specific tests.

Control ID	Control Name	Evidence Required
CC6.1	Logical Access	Screenshots of RBAC (Role-Based Access Control)
CC6.3	User Provisioning	Proof of user creation and role assignment
CC7.2	Change Management	Visual proof of peer review or manual approvals
CC8.1	System Operations	Snapshots of backup logs or patch management UI

Step 2: Deploy Screenata for UI Capture

Install the Screenata agent. Unlike a standard screen recorder, Screenata is built for auditors. It captures the DOM (Document Object Model) and metadata behind the images, ensuring the evidence is tamper-proof.

Step 3: Execute "Golden Workflows"

For each manual control, perform the test once. Screenata will record this as a "Golden Workflow."

Example for CC6.1: Log in as a user with "Read-Only" permissions. Attempt to click the "Delete Database" button. Capture the "Unauthorized" modal.
Automation: Once recorded, Screenata can be set to "Compliance Cron" mode, where it reminds the user to re-run this 2-minute workflow quarterly to ensure continuous compliance.

Step 4: Review and Redact

Before the evidence is finalized, Screenata’s AI automatically blurs Personally Identifiable Information (PII) like email addresses or API keys. This ensures you satisfy your security audit without violating privacy regulations like GDPR.

Step 5: Export and Sync

Once the "Evidence Pack" is generated, sync it directly to Drata, Vanta, or Secureframe. The GRC will recognize the upload and mark the control as "Passed."

Comparison: Manual vs. Automated Collection

Feature	Manual Collection (Legacy)	Screenata Automation (2026)
Evidence Format	Unstructured PNGs/Word Docs	Structured, Searchable PDF Packs
Time per Control	60+ Minutes	< 5 Minutes
Metadata	None (Easily faked)	Cryptographic timestamps & DOM logs
PII Handling	Manual blurring (or missed)	Automated AI-driven redaction
Auditor Review	High friction (Lots of questions)	Low friction (Standardized reports)
Accuracy	High human error rate	99.9% Machine-generated accuracy

Example Use Case: Automating CC6.1 (Logical Access)

The Objective: Prove that access to your production environment is restricted based on roles.

Manual Way: An engineer logs in as an admin, takes a screenshot of the user list. Then logs out, logs in as a viewer, tries to access a restricted page, takes another screenshot. They then open a Google Doc, paste the images, write "This shows I can't access this," and upload it to Vanta.

Automated Way with Screenata:

Open the Screenata extension and select "CC6.1 - Logical Access."
Perform the login and access attempt.
Screenata automatically detects the "Access Denied" text and the "Viewer" role label.
It generates a 3-page PDF with a title, "Evidence for Control CC6.1: Logical Access Verification."
The PDF is sent to Vanta via API.
Total time: 3 minutes.

Integrations: The Compliance Ecosystem

In 2026, automation is about connectivity. Screenata acts as the "Visual Sensor" for your compliance "Operating System."

GRC Platforms (Drata, Vanta, Secureframe): Screenata pushes the "Evidence Packs" directly into these platforms to close manual tasks.
Identity Providers (Okta, Azure AD): Screenata verifies that the user performing the test is authorized and captures their identity for the audit trail.
Ticketing Systems (Jira, Linear): You can trigger a Screenata recording directly from a Jira ticket. When the ticket is marked "Done," the evidence is captured and attached.
Development Tools (GitHub, GitLab): Automate the capture of PR approvals and branch protection settings that are not accessible via standard API checks.

Why Auditors Trust Automated Evidence Packs

Auditors are moving away from accepting simple screenshots because they are too easy to manipulate. Screenata-generated evidence is preferred by Big 4 auditors for three reasons:

1. Chain of Custody

Every Evidence Pack includes a manifest that tracks the "Chain of Custody." It proves that the evidence was captured directly from the browser, was not edited, and was handled by an authorized user.

2. Contextual Narratives

Instead of just an image, Screenata’s AI writes a narrative description.

Example: "This screenshot confirms that user 'Alex Nguyen' (Role: Viewer) was denied access to the 'Billing' module at 14:22 UTC on Jan 4, 2026."

3. Verifiable Metadata

Each pack contains hidden metadata, including:

NTP-synced timestamps (Network Time Protocol).
URL and IP address of the system under test.
DOM Snapshots proving the UI elements existed as shown.

Best Practices for SOC 2 Automation

To get the most out of your automation tools, follow these best practices:

Start with High-Frequency Controls: Automate the controls that require quarterly or monthly updates first. This provides the fastest ROI.
Use AI for Redaction: Never upload production PII to an audit portal. Use Screenata’s automated blurring to protect customer data.
Standardize Your Naming: Ensure your automated reports use a consistent naming convention (e.g., [ControlID]_[Date]_[System].pdf) to make it easier for auditors to navigate.
Run "Dry Audits": Use your automation tool to generate a full evidence report one month before your actual audit. This allows you to identify and fix any gaps in your "manual 20%" before the auditor sees them.
Integrate with CI/CD: For technical controls like CC7.2, trigger evidence capture as part of your deployment pipeline.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does SOC 2 evidence automation replace Drata or Vanta?

No. Screenata complements GRC platforms. While Drata and Vanta handle the "API-level" automation of infrastructure, Screenata handles the "Application-level" automation of UI workflows and manual processes.

Is automated evidence accepted by AICPA auditors?

Yes. In fact, most auditors prefer it. Automated evidence is more consistent, includes better metadata, and follows a standardized format that is easier for them to review than a folder of random screenshots.

How much time can I actually save?

Most teams see a 92% reduction in manual documentation time. A process that used to take 80 hours per audit cycle can typically be reduced to under 6 hours using Screenata.

Can I use this for HIPAA or ISO 27001?

Absolutely. While the control IDs differ (e.g., Annex A in ISO 27001), the need for visual proof of access controls, change management, and technical safeguards is universal across all major frameworks.

What happens if my application UI changes?

Screenata’s AI is designed to be resilient. If a button moves or a label changes from "Admin" to "SuperUser," the AI agent can often adapt. If the change is significant, you simply re-run the "Golden Workflow" once (taking 2 minutes) to update the automation.

Key Takeaways

✅ Close the 20% gap: Use Screenata to automate the application-level controls that GRC platforms like Vanta and Drata cannot reach.
✅ Stop "Screenshot Duty": Reduce manual documentation time from 60 minutes per control to under 5 minutes.
✅ Increase Auditor Trust: Deliver structured "Evidence Packs" with verifiable metadata and cryptographic timestamps.
✅ Automate Redaction: Ensure PII is blurred at the source before it ever reaches your audit portal.
✅ Continuous Compliance: Move from "point-in-time" audits to continuous evidence collection using automated compliance crons.

Learn More About SOC 2 Automation

For the most comprehensive guide to automating SOC 2 evidence collection, including platform comparisons, implementation strategies, and time savings analysis, see our complete SOC 2 automation guide.