Imagine a startup with twelve people, a functioning SaaS product, and an expanding customer base. Security matters to everyone, yet no one has “compliance manager” in their job title. Then, a prospective enterprise customer wants to see a SOC 2 report.
Where do you begin?
For founders researching how to get SOC 2 certification, the answer is not to download dozens of policies right away. Start by making a few decisions that determine what your company needs to document, put in place, and prove.
Settle the Scope of Your First SOC 2 Audit
Controls are assessed against the AICPA Trust Services Criteria in a SOC 2 audit. The criteria are organized into five categories: Security, Availability, Confidentiality, Processing Integrity, and Privacy. Of these, only Security is required. The remaining categories are added when they are relevant to the organization’s services and commitments. If a startup is offering a straightforward business application, beginning with Security alone may be enough, provided that scope meets customer expectations.
List the applications, infrastructure, employees, and service providers involved before collecting evidence. A broader scope brings extra work, but not always a more valuable report.
Pick the SOC 2 Report That Fits Your Timeline
There are two reporting options for people searching for how to get SOC 2 certified. Type 1 evaluates the design of controls as of a specified date. Throughout a defined period, Type 2 examines both their design and operating effectiveness. If an enterprise customer needs evidence fast, Type 1 may be a useful first step, provided the customer accepts it.
Anyone exploring how to get SOC 2 type 2 certification should expect an observation period, typically three to twelve months, followed by an independent examination. Type 2 doesn’t require completing Type 1 first. Make sure you know what your customer requires before you pay for either examination.
Start With Day-to-Day Security Gaps
SOC 2 preparation becomes more manageable when security controls are connected to existing business activities. A sensible place to start is requiring multi-factor authentication for important accounts, establishing a documented employee offboarding process, and reviewing access permissions on a regular basis.
Evidence of production changes and approvals should be kept by developers. Risk assessments and relevant supplier reviews should be documented by management. Actual employee practice must be reflected in the policies. A polished procedure provides limited value if nobody follows it.
Get Your Evidence Organized Before the Auditor Asks
SOC 2 for saas companies involves demonstrating that relevant controls exist and, for Type 2, operate consistently. An auditor could request records showing when a former employee’s access was removed or whether a production deployment received appropriate approval.
It’s easier to gather these records as activities occur than to rebuild them months afterward. Small teams can manage this work with CertAssist’s built-in controls, editable policy templates, evidence checklists, and document storage.
There is no need for direct integrations with company systems. Auditors can be given read-only access, while teams upload evidence themselves.
Understand the Independent Audit Requirement
SOC 2 is formally an attestation, not a certification. A licensed CPA firm performs the examination and issues the SOC 2 report. Nothing replaces the independent auditor, not even compliance software, which helps prepare and organize evidence.
A US$225 monthly promotional subscription that covers SOC 2, ISO 27001, and its other supported frameworks is advertised by CertAssist. Fees for the independent audit are separate. An auditor’s quote based on your business size, selected criteria, and intended reporting period is worth getting before budgeting.
What Comes After Your First SOC 2 Report
Completing a SOC 2 examination isn’t the end of your security work. Your operations keep changing: people join and leave, applications change, and new suppliers arrive. It’s important that your controls remain relevant.
Three habits help: setting clear responsibilities, retaining evidence throughout the year, and periodically reviewing whether your documented procedures match reality. For a growing startup, that discipline makes future examinations easier while supporting the security expectations of customers who depend on your software.