Press Release

illumine is Now SOC 2 Type II Compliant: A New Benchmark for Trust and Security in Childcare Management

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Arun George
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5 minutes read
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About Tim Seldin

Author, Educator and President, of The Montessori Foundation

Tim Seldin is an author, educator and the President of The Montessori Foundation and Chair of The International Montessori Council. His more than forty years of experience in Montessori education includes twenty-two years as Headmaster of the Barrie School in Silver Spring, Maryland. He is the author of several books including “The World In The Palm of Her Hand” more

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We’re proud to share that illumine is now officially SOC 2® Type II compliant. This milestone reflects our ongoing commitment to protecting the data and privacy of the childcare centers, educators, and families who trust us every day.

Today, illumine supports thousands of preschools and early learning centers with everything from parent communication and billing to attendance tracking and daily reports. 

Our team earned this certification by meeting rigorous industry standards for how data is secured, managed, and protected across the entire platform.

“This isn’t just about ticking compliance boxes. It’s about giving our users the absolute confidence that their data is protected, their operations are secure, and their trust is well-placed.”

Sourabh Agarwal, Co-Founder & CTO, illumine

What is SOC 2 Type II?

SOC 2® Type II is a widely recognized security and compliance standard developed by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). It assesses how companies like illumine handle customer data securely, consistently, and with long-term accountability.

This certification is based on five key criteria, known as the Trust Services Criteria:

1. Security
Protecting systems and data from unauthorized access, breaches, or misuse.

2. Availability
Ensuring the platform is reliable and accessible when schools and staff need it.

3. Processing Integrity
Making sure data is collected, processed, and delivered accurately and on time.

4. Confidentiality
Keeping sensitive information safe and only accessible to the right people.

5. Privacy
Handling personal data responsibly and in line with privacy expectations and regulations.

What Does the SOC 2 Audit Cover?

To verify these principles are being followed, SOC 2 Type II reviews five core parts of a company’s operations:

  • Infrastructure – The physical and cloud systems that support the platform
  • Software – The tools used to process, protect, and deliver information
  • People – The teams responsible for managing and safeguarding systems
  • Data – The information being stored, shared, and processed
  • Procedures – The day-to-day processes that keep operations secure and consistent

SOC 2 Type II is considered the most comprehensive form of the certification. Unlike Type I, which assesses controls at a single point in time, Type II verifies that these controls are consistently implemented and effective over a sustained period (ranging from 3-12 months).

What This Means for illumine Customers

Preschools and childcare organizations deal with a high volume of sensitive data. This includes:

  • Children's personal and attendance records
  • Emergency contacts and health information
  • Staff schedules and payroll details
  • Family messages, photos, and daily reports
  • Invoices, payment data, and financial summaries

SOC 2 Type II compliance means that illumine protects all of this data through:

  • Secure encryption protocols
  • Strict access controls based on user roles
  • Continuous system monitoring and alerting
  • Regular audits, risk assessments, and incident response plans
  • Ongoing staff training in compliance and data security

Whether you run a single center or a large network of preschools, this certification assures you that illumine takes every step to safeguard the information you rely on.

Built Secure From the Start

Security has always been the topmost priority at illumine. It’s built into how the platform works, from features to everyday decisions. This certification is a further reassurance that we’ve been implementing the right measures to keep your data safe.

Moving Forward With Confidence

As the childcare industry evolves, centers are increasingly relying on digital tools not just for convenience, but for compliance, communication, and professionalism. With SOC 2 Type II compliance, illumine offers a childcare management platform that offers both the simplicity of modern tools and the security of enterprise-grade standards.

We’re proud to meet the highest standards because the people who rely on illumine deserve nothing less.

Learn More

If you’d like to know more about what this means for your center, our team is happy to help address all your queries. From first-time visitors to longtime users, we’re here to support your journey with illumine.

Contact us

About illumine

illumine is the world’s first AI-powered childcare and preschool management platform that simplifies operations, enhances parent engagement, and helps educators focus on what matters most — the children. Trusted by 3000+ centers across the globe, illumine is designed to deliver a secure, reliable, and transparent early education experience.

FeatureillumineProcareBrightwheelLillioFamly
PricingVaries by planPremiumFreemiumQuote-basedModular pricing
Parent Communication
  • Real-time
  • easy to use
  •  in 20+  languages
Basic messaging toolsQuick updates and messagingDetailed parent updatesFriendly messages in several languages
Billing
  • Easy to use
  • Customizable
  • automated invoices
Deep financial toolsSimple billing in-appBuilt-in invoicesFlexible billing options
Lesson Planning
  • EYFS, Montessori, Reggio, and more!
  • linked to portfolios
  • AI-powered lesson plan creation in less than 5 seconds
May need extra toolsBasic note-takingCurriculum tools includedDaily logs and learning diaries
ScalabilityWorks well for single or many centersGreat for large systemsBest for smaller centersLimited for big organizationsFlexible for different sizes
Data SecurityGlobal encryption standardsUS regulatory focusUS cloud complianceStandard encryptionBuilt with GDPR in mind
Support24/7 help and guided setupTraining-intensiveResponsive, slower for complex issuesTeacher-focused help toolsSupport depends on region