FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 3, 2022 

Contact:

Kathleen R. McMorrow

The Communications Optic, LLC.

Phone: 973.665.8167

Email: [email protected]

HETHERINGTON GROUP EARNS SYSTEM AND ORGANIZATION CONTROLS (SOC) 2 TYPE 1 ATTESTATION

Audit Signifies Hg’s Commitment to Securely Handle Clients’ Data

Hg’s Policies, Procedures, & Systems Meet Global Security Standards & AICPA Best Practices to Mitigate Information-Related Risk

(Wanaque, NJ) Hetherington Group (Hg)—a leader in investigative due diligence, corporate intelligence, and cyber investigations—has successfully undergone an audit process and earned its System and Organization Controls (SOC) 2 Type 1 Attestation.

“Hg’s vision is to create a smarter and safer world from online predators, fraud, and exploitation,” stated Hg President Cynthia Hetherington. “Earning the SOC 2 attestation reflects our commitment to that vision. We are proud to have received this attestation signifying that we have implemented global security standards and AICPA best practices to ensure that our clients’ privacy, confidentiality, and data integrity are secure.”

A-Lign Assurance conducted the audit in accordance with the requirements of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). The SOC 2 audit process is the gold standard for cybersecurity companies. The audit process assessed Hg’s policies, procedures, and systems to protect data in five Trust Services Criteria areas: Security, Availability, Processing Integrity, Confidentiality, and Privacy.

The audit included review and testing of Hg’s software (e.g., encrypted email and network access), employee knowledge and training (e.g., phishing), company procedures (e.g., passwords, off-site data protection and security), physical security (e.g., biometric locks and cameras), and security monitoring (e.g., log files, recorded data encryptions).

About Hetherington Group (Hg)

Hg is committed to sharing expertise, so the world can be a safer place. As a leader in open source intelligence gathering, it provides accredited training to industry professionals across the country. Hg offerings include seminar and webinar training in beginner, intermediate, and advanced internet and social media investigations; online ethics and best practices; online monitoring tools; fraud examinations; and open source intelligence searching. Annually, Hg staff train over 8,000 investigators, security professionals, attorneys, accountants, auditors, military intelligence professionals, and federal, state, and local agencies on best practices. Material is timely and actionable. Participants gain useful knowledge which can be used in the course of their own investigations. Hg is an NSA Center of Excellence grant recipient charged with developing and offering training opportunities at the U.S. Department of Defense and academic settings. Hg classes are ACFE, NASBA, DHS, LPF, SHRM, and ASIS approved for continuing professional education credits.

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