Is There a System That Records My App Testing and Turns It Into SOC 2 Evidence Documentation?

Yes. Browser extension-based systems record your testing workflows, automatically capture screenshots, use AI to generate step-by-step documentation with control mappings, and export to PDF or integrate with Vanta/Drata. This eliminates manual documentation and reduces audit prep time by 80+ hours per audit cycle.

The Problem: Testing ≠ Documentation

Why This Gap Exists

Most companies already test their applications regularly:

QA teams test features before release
Engineers test role-based access controls
Security teams test authentication flows
DevOps tests deployment workflows

But testing and compliance documentation are separate:

What You Do	What Auditors Need
Test user permissions	Screenshots + written documentation
Test MFA enforcement	Step-by-step evidence package
Test session timeouts	Timestamped proof with descriptions
Test deployment process	Formatted PDF with control mapping

Result: You perform tests, then spend hours re-creating the same tests manually just to document them for auditors.

The Double Work Problem

Example: Testing RBAC (Role-Based Access Control)

Test performed by engineering:

Login as "Viewer" user
Try to access admin panel
Verify access denied
Check logs
Time: 5 minutes

Same test documented for audit:

Login as "Viewer" user (take screenshot)
Try to access admin panel (take screenshot)
Verify access denied (take screenshot)
Check logs (take screenshot)
Organize screenshots
Write descriptions for each step
Format into Word document
Add control ID and metadata
Export as PDF
Upload to Vanta/Drata
Time: 90 minutes

Waste: 85 minutes spent re-documenting work already done

How Recording Systems Work

Component 1: Browser Extension Recorder

Sits in your browser and captures:

{
  "recording_session": {
    "session_id": "rec_abc123",
    "control_id": "CC6.1",
    "start_time": "2025-04-06T10:00:00Z",
    "end_time": "2025-04-06T10:05:30Z",
    "tester": "qa@company.com",
    "test_environment": "production",

    "automatic_captures": {
      "screenshots": [
        {
          "timestamp": "10:00:15",
          "url": "https://app.company.com/login",
          "page_title": "Login - YourApp",
          "file": "01_login.png",
          "resolution": "1920x1080"
        },
        {
          "timestamp": "10:01:30",
          "url": "https://app.company.com/admin",
          "page_title": "Access Denied",
          "http_status": 403,
          "file": "02_access_denied.png"
        }
      ],

      "user_actions": [
        {"action": "click", "element": "login_button", "timestamp": "10:00:15"},
        {"action": "navigate", "url": "/admin", "timestamp": "10:01:25"},
        {"action": "click", "element": "admin_link", "timestamp": "10:01:30"}
      ],

      "network_requests": [
        {
          "url": "/api/auth/login",
          "method": "POST",
          "status": 200,
          "timestamp": "10:00:16"
        },
        {
          "url": "/api/admin/users",
          "method": "GET",
          "status": 403,
          "response_body": {"error": "Insufficient permissions"},
          "timestamp": "10:01:31"
        }
      ],

      "console_logs": [
        {"level": "info", "message": "User logged in: viewer@company.com", "timestamp": "10:00:16"},
        {"level": "warn", "message": "Access denied to /admin", "timestamp": "10:01:31"}
      ]
    }
  }
}

Component 2: AI Documentation Engine

Processes recording data to generate:

1. Natural Language Descriptions

"At 10:00:15 UTC, QA tester (qa@company.com) logged into the application using test credentials for a user with 'Viewer' role. Authentication succeeded as expected."

"At 10:01:30 UTC, the tester attempted to navigate to the admin dashboard at /admin/users. The application correctly denied access, returning HTTP 403 Forbidden with error message 'Insufficient permissions.' This demonstrates that role-based access controls are functioning as designed."

"The access denial event was logged to the application audit trail at 10:01:31 UTC, satisfying the logging requirement for security events."

2. Control Mapping

{
  "control_mapping": {
    "primary_control": {
      "id": "CC6.1",
      "name": "Logical Access Controls",
      "tsc_category": "Common Criteria 6.1",
      "test_objective": "Verify unauthorized users cannot access admin features"
    },
    "related_controls": [
      {
        "id": "CC6.6",
        "name": "Audit Logging",
        "evidence": "Access denial logged at 10:01:31"
      }
    ],
    "test_result": "PASS",
    "compliance_score": 100
  }
}

3. Audit-Ready Report

Cover page with control ID and metadata
Executive summary with pass/fail
Step-by-step documentation (5-10 pages)
Screenshot gallery with timestamps
Appendix with raw test data

Component 3: Integration & Export

Multiple export options:

PDF Export
- Self-contained evidence package
- Share directly with auditors
- Archive for compliance records
Vanta/Drata Integration
- Automatic upload to correct control
- Evidence metadata pre-filled
- Control status updated
API Export
- JSON structured data
- Integrate with custom GRC systems
- Build compliance dashboards

Step-by-Step: Using a Recording System

Phase 1: One-Time Setup (20 minutes)

Step 1: Install Extension (2 minutes)

Visit Chrome Web Store
Install Screenata extension
Login with your account
Grant permissions:
- Screenshot capture
- URL tracking
- Network monitoring (optional)

Step 2: Create Test Templates (10 minutes)

Define tests to record:

{
  "test_templates": [
    {
      "id": "rbac_viewer_denied",
      "name": "RBAC - Viewer Access Denial",
      "control": "CC6.1",
      "frequency": "quarterly",
      "test_steps": [
        "Login as Viewer user",
        "Attempt admin access",
        "Verify denial",
        "Check audit log"
      ],
      "estimated_duration": "5 minutes",
      "test_data": {
        "test_user": "viewer-test@company.com",
        "test_urls": ["/admin/users", "/admin/settings"]
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "mfa_enforcement",
      "name": "MFA Required for Admin",
      "control": "CC6.1",
      "test_steps": [
        "Attempt admin login without MFA",
        "Verify MFA prompt",
        "Complete MFA",
        "Verify access granted"
      ]
    }
  ]
}

Step 3: Configure Integrations (5 minutes)

Connect to Vanta:

Navigate to Settings → Integrations
Click "Connect Vanta"
Enter Vanta API key
Map test templates to Vanta control IDs
Test connection

Step 4: Set Preferences (3 minutes)

{
  "recording_preferences": {
    "auto_start_on_test_url": true,
    "screenshot_quality": "high",
    "capture_network_requests": true,
    "capture_console_logs": false,
    "redact_sensitive_data": true,
    "auto_export_on_complete": true,
    "export_destination": "vanta"
  }
}

Phase 2: Record Your First Test (6 minutes)

Example: RBAC Access Denial Test

Step 1: Start Recording (15 seconds)

Open your application
Click Screenata icon in browser toolbar
Select test template: "RBAC - Viewer Access Denial"
Click "Start Recording"
Red recording indicator appears

Step 2: Perform Test Normally (4 minutes)

Just do your normal testing—no need to manually screenshot:

Login (60 sec)
- Enter test user credentials
- Click login
- Extension captures login screen automatically
Attempt admin access (30 sec)
- Click on "Admin" menu
- Try to access user management
- Extension captures navigation and error
Verify denial (30 sec)
- Observe "Access Denied" message
- Check browser DevTools (optional)
- Extension captures error state
Check logs (120 sec)
- Navigate to logging dashboard
- Search for access denial event
- Extension captures log entry

Step 3: Stop Recording (10 seconds)

Click Screenata icon
Click "Stop Recording"
Recording saved automatically

Step 4: AI Processing (90 seconds)

Happens automatically in background:

✅ Analyzing 4 screenshots
✅ Generating step descriptions
✅ Mapping to CC6.1 control
✅ Creating audit-ready PDF
✅ Extracting metadata

Step 5: Review & Export (30 seconds)

Click "View Evidence"
Review PDF preview
Verify screenshots clear
Click "Export to Vanta"
Evidence automatically uploads

Total time: 6 minutes

Phase 3: Evidence Ready (Automatic)

What gets created:

PDF Report (8 pages)
- Cover page with control ID
- Executive summary (PASS)
- 4 steps with screenshots
- Technical details
- Tester certification
Screenshot Package
- 4 high-res images
- Timestamped filenames
- Organized by step

Metadata File

{
  "test_id": "cc6_1_2025_q2",
  "control": "CC6.1",
  "test_date": "2025-04-06",
  "tester": "qa@company.com",
  "environment": "production",
  "result": "PASS",
  "screenshots": 4,
  "duration_seconds": 330
}

Vanta Upload
- Uploaded to CC6.1 control
- Test date: 2025-04-06
- Status: Evidence Collected

Comparison: Recording System vs Alternatives

Approach	Setup Time	Per-Test Time	Evidence Quality	Annual Cost (20 tests)
Manual screenshots + docs	0 min	90 min	Medium	$72,000
Screen recording (Loom) + manual docs	5 min	45 min	Medium	$36,000
Automated testing (Cypress) + manual docs	20 hours	30 min	High	$24,000
Recording system (Screenata)	20 min	6 min	High	$3,788

Winner: Recording System

✅ Lowest setup time
✅ Lowest per-test time
✅ High evidence quality
✅ Lowest annual cost
✅ No code changes required

Advanced Features

Feature 1: Test Comparison Across Quarters

Track test consistency:

Q1 2025: RBAC Test
Duration: 5 min 30 sec
Steps: 4
Result: PASS
Screenshots: 4

Q2 2025: RBAC Test
Duration: 5 min 15 sec
Steps: 4
Result: PASS
Screenshots: 4

✅ Test consistent across quarters
✅ No process drift detected

Alert on inconsistencies:

⚠️ Q3 2025: RBAC Test
Duration: 2 min 45 sec
Steps: 2 (expected 4)
Result: INCOMPLETE

ALERT: Missing steps detected:
- "Check audit log" step not performed
- Only 2 screenshots captured (expected 4)

Action Required: Re-run test with all steps

Feature 2: Collaborative Testing

Multiple testers, consistent documentation:

{
  "collaborative_testing": {
    "team_members": [
      {
        "tester": "qa@company.com",
        "tests_this_quarter": 12,
        "avg_test_duration": "6 minutes"
      },
      {
        "tester": "engineer@company.com",
        "tests_this_quarter": 8,
        "avg_test_duration": "7 minutes"
      }
    ],
    "shared_templates": true,
    "consistent_formatting": true,
    "centralized_evidence": true
  }
}

Benefits:

✅ Same evidence format regardless of tester
✅ Shared test library across team
✅ No training needed (just follow template)
✅ Centralized evidence repository

Feature 3: Scheduled Test Reminders

Never miss quarterly tests:

{
  "test_schedule": {
    "quarterly_tests": [
      {
        "test": "RBAC Access Controls (CC6.1)",
        "due_date": "2025-04-15",
        "assigned_to": "qa@company.com",
        "status": "completed",
        "completed_date": "2025-04-06"
      },
      {
        "test": "Session Timeout (CC6.6)",
        "due_date": "2025-04-15",
        "assigned_to": "engineer@company.com",
        "status": "pending",
        "reminder_sent": "2025-04-08"
      }
    ],
    "reminders": {
      "email": true,
      "slack": true,
      "days_before": [14, 7, 3, 1]
    }
  }
}

Slack reminder:

🔔 Compliance Test Due Soon

Test: Session Timeout Verification (CC6.6) Due: April 15, 2025 (7 days) Assigned to: @engineer

[Start Test] [View Template] [Reschedule]

Real-World Examples

Example 1: E-Commerce Platform

Tests documented quarterly:

Payment processing security (5 tests)
Customer data access controls (3 tests)
Admin permission verification (4 tests)
Session management (2 tests)
Total: 14 tests × 4 quarters = 56 tests/year

Before recording system:

90 minutes per test
56 tests × 90 min = 5,040 minutes = 84 hours/year
Cost: $16,800/year

After recording system:

6 minutes per test
56 tests × 6 min = 336 minutes = 5.6 hours/year
Cost: $1,788 (tool) + $1,120 (labor) = $2,908/year

Savings: $13,892/year (82% reduction)

Example 2: Healthcare SaaS (HIPAA + SOC 2)

Tests documented:

PHI access controls (10 tests)
Audit logging verification (5 tests)
Encryption validation (3 tests)
Backup/recovery testing (2 tests)
Total: 20 tests × 4 quarters = 80 tests/year

Before recording system:

120 minutes per test (HIPAA requires more detail)
80 tests × 120 min = 9,600 minutes = 160 hours/year
Cost: $32,000/year

After recording system:

8 minutes per test (slightly longer due to HIPAA requirements)
80 tests × 8 min = 640 minutes = 10.7 hours/year
Cost: $1,788 (tool) + $2,133 (labor) = $3,921/year

Savings: $28,079/year (88% reduction)

Testimonial:

"We needed detailed evidence for both HIPAA and SOC 2. The recording system captures everything automatically—PHI access, audit logs, all formatted for compliance. Cut our documentation time from 160 hours to 11 hours per year." - CISO

Example 3: FinTech Startup

Challenge: First SOC 2 audit with no compliance team

Tests needed:

18 controls requiring testing evidence
No existing documentation process
Small engineering team (8 people)

Solution: Recording system with shared templates

Results:

Completed 72 test recordings in 3 months (18 controls × 4 quarters of historical evidence)
Average 7 minutes per test
Total time: 8.4 hours (vs estimated 108 hours manual)
Passed SOC 2 Type I with zero findings
Compliance evidence praised by auditors

Quote:

"As a startup, we didn't have time for manual compliance docs. The recording system let us test normally and automatically generated audit-ready evidence. Saved us hundreds of hours." - CTO

Integration Examples

GitHub + Recording System

Automatically capture deployment evidence:

// When you merge a PR, extension can auto-record
{
  "github_integration": {
    "trigger": "pull_request_merged",
    "auto_start_recording": true,
    "template": "cc7_2_change_management",
    "capture": [
      "pr_approval_screenshot",
      "ci_test_results",
      "merge_confirmation",
      "deploy_logs"
    ],
    "auto_export_to_vanta": true
  }
}

Evidence captured:

PR approval timestamp
Code review comments
Test results (pass/fail)
Deployment confirmation

Okta + Recording System

Capture user provisioning workflows:

{
  "okta_integration": {
    "trigger": "user_created",
    "auto_start_recording": true,
    "template": "cc6_2_access_provisioning",
    "capture": [
      "user_creation_form",
      "role_assignment",
      "group_membership",
      "verification_login"
    ]
  }
}

Jira + Recording System

Link evidence to tickets:

{
  "jira_integration": {
    "attach_evidence_to_ticket": true,
    "ticket_pattern": "SEC-*",
    "evidence_comment": "Compliance evidence attached: CC6.1 test completed on {date}",
    "link_to_control": true
  }
}

Common Questions

Can I record tests in staging instead of production?

Short answer: Auditors prefer production evidence

Explanation: While staging tests are better than nothing, auditors want proof that production controls work. Configure the recording system to only accept production URLs:

{
  "environment_validation": {
    "require_production": true,
    "production_url_pattern": "app.company.com",
    "reject_staging": true
  }
}

Does the recording system work with mobile apps?

Desktop web apps: ✅ Yes (Chrome/Edge extensions)

Mobile web apps: ✅ Yes (browser-based)

Native mobile apps: ❌ Not directly (requires different approach like screen recording + manual upload)

Recommendation: If you need mobile app evidence, use:

Screen recording on phone
Upload video to recording system
AI extracts frames and generates documentation

Can I edit the AI-generated documentation?

Yes. Most recording systems allow:

Editing step descriptions
Adding manual annotations
Redacting sensitive information
Adjusting control mappings

Example edit interface:

Step 2: Access Attempt
AI Description: "User navigated to /admin/users"
[Edit] [Approve] [Regenerate]

Your Edit: "User with Viewer role attempted to access admin user management page at /admin/users, which requires Admin role."
[Save]

What if my test fails?

Recording system handles failures:

{
  "test_failed": {
    "expected": "access_denied",
    "actual": "access_granted",
    "result": "FAIL",
    "severity": "high",
    "alert_sent": true,
    "evidence_captured": true
  }
}

Failed tests still generate evidence showing:

What was tested
What was expected
What actually happened
When the failure occurred

Use this evidence to:

Document the control failure
Create remediation ticket
Re-test after fix
Show auditors the before/after

How much does a recording system cost?

Typical pricing:

Plan	Price	Tests/Month	Team Size	Features
Starter	$149/mo	Unlimited	1-5 users	Basic recording, PDF export
Professional	$299/mo	Unlimited	6-20 users	+ API integrations, team templates
Enterprise	Custom	Unlimited	20+ users	+ SSO, custom integrations, dedicated support

ROI breakeven: Typically 2-4 tests per month (at 90 min manual time per test)

Implementation Timeline

Week 1: Setup & Training

Day 1-2: Install extension, configure integrations
Day 3-4: Create test templates for top 5 controls
Day 5: Train team on recording system

Week 2: Pilot Testing

Day 1-3: Record first 5 tests
Day 4: Review generated evidence
Day 5: Adjust templates based on feedback

Week 3: Full Rollout

Day 1-2: Create templates for remaining controls
Day 3-5: Record all quarterly tests

Week 4: Integration & Automation

Day 1-2: Set up Vanta/Drata auto-export
Day 3-4: Configure scheduled reminders
Day 5: Document new process, celebrate! 🎉

Total implementation time: 4 weeks (with minimal disruption)

Key Takeaways

✅ Recording systems eliminate double work (test once, document automatically)

✅ Reduces per-test time from 90 minutes to 6 minutes (93% reduction)

✅ Browser extension captures everything automatically during normal testing

✅ AI generates audit-ready documentation mapped to SOC 2 controls

✅ Integrates with Vanta/Drata for automatic evidence upload

✅ Annual savings of $10,000-$30,000 for typical SaaS companies

✅ Setup takes 20 minutes, ongoing maintenance is minimal

✅ Auditors accept recorded evidence when properly formatted

Get Started with Recorded Testing Evidence

Screenata records your application testing and automatically generates SOC 2 evidence documentation with AI-powered descriptions and audit-ready formatting.

What you get:

Browser extension for Chrome/Edge
Automatic screenshot and action capture
AI-generated step descriptions
Control mapping to SOC 2 criteria
Export to PDF, Vanta, or Drata
Quarterly test scheduling

Pricing: $149/month Setup time: 20 minutes Time savings: 85+ minutes per test

Start your 14-day free trial →