SASB Software & IT Services
SASB
Assess software firms' sustainability with SASB standards.
The SASB Software & IT Services costs $0 USD. Renewal costs $0 USD.
Key Strengths
- Industry-specific materiality focus on software and IT services
- Widely recognized by institutional investors and ESG analysts
- Covers critical topics: data privacy, cybersecurity, and employee engagement
- Developed through rigorous multi-stakeholder standard-setting process
- Integrated into IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards (ISSB) framework
- Free to access and implement — no licensing fee for the standards themselves
Ideal For
This standard is best suited for publicly traded or large private software and IT services companies seeking to align their ESG disclosures with investor expectations. It is particularly valuable for sustainability officers, investor relations teams, and CFOs at tech firms looking to communicate material sustainability risks and opportunities in a standardized, credible format.
Target Audiences
Relevant Roles
Industries
Alignment & Recognition
Accrediting Body
Scope
Overview
The SASB (Sustainability Accounting Standards Board) developed sustainability standards for the Software & IT Services industry. Founded in 2011, SASB creates guidelines to help organizations disclose environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors that are material to their financial performance. This is crucial as it assists investors in making informed decisions.
The standards for Software & IT Services address issues such as data privacy, cybersecurity, and employee engagement. These measures aim to ensure that companies manage potential risks and opportunities sustainably. Major clients and partners often include globally recognized tech firms and financial institutions seeking to enhance their sustainability reporting.
Overall, SASB’s work helps bridge the gap between corporate sustainability practices and investor needs, encouraging transparency and accountability in the industry. Certification from SASB is increasingly seen as a mark of responsible governance in Software & IT Services.
Requirements & Verification
Evidence Requirements
Organizations are expected to disclose quantitative and qualitative metrics as defined in the SASB Software & IT Services standard, including data on data privacy practices, cybersecurity incidents, employee engagement and diversity, and environmental footprint of data centers. Disclosures are typically included in annual reports, sustainability reports, or SEC filings. No formal third-party audit is mandated by SASB itself, though companies may choose to have disclosures independently assured.
Prerequisites
Assessment Process
There is no formal exam or audit process for SASB standards adoption. Organizations self-select the relevant industry standard (Software & IT Services) and prepare disclosures aligned to the defined metrics. Disclosures are typically reviewed internally and may be voluntarily assured by a third-party auditor. SASB provides a free online Navigator tool to guide organizations through applicable metrics and disclosure guidance.
Renewal & Compliance
SASB standards are a voluntary disclosure framework with no formal renewal or recertification cycle. Organizations are expected to update their disclosures annually in line with reporting cycles. SASB periodically revises its standards, and organizations should monitor updates from IFRS/ISSB for any changes to the underlying standard.
Accountability Model
Impact & Outcomes
Employer Recognition
Consider Alternatives If...
Organizations looking for a third-party audited certification with a formal pass/fail credential should consider alternatives, as SASB standards are a voluntary disclosure framework rather than a certifiable credential. Small businesses or startups with limited ESG reporting infrastructure may find the standards premature for their stage.
Alternative Programs
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick Facts
Certification
English
2011