Think of a startup that has twelve employees, a working SaaS product, and a growing customer base. People take security seriously, though no one has “compliance manager” in their job title. A potential enterprise customer next requests a SOC 2 report.
What exactly should you do first?
For founders researching how to get SOC 2 certification, the answer isn’t to grab dozens of policies straight away. What matters is to make a few choices that determine what your company needs to document, put in place, and prove.
Begin by Deciding Your Audit Scope
The AICPA Trust Services Criteria serve as the standard that SOC 2 evaluates controls against. Security, Availability, Confidentiality, Processing Integrity, and Privacy are the categories they cover. Security is mandatory. The remaining areas are added when they’re relevant to the organization’s services and commitments. A startup running a straightforward business application may begin with Security alone, as long as that scope meets customer expectations.
The applications, infrastructure, employees, and service providers involved should be mapped out before anyone starts collecting evidence. More scope means extra work, though not necessarily a more valuable report.
Type 1 or Type 2? Let the Deadline Choose
There are two reporting options for anyone searching for how to get SOC 2 certified. The design of controls as of a specified date is what Type 1 examines. Type 2 goes further, examining both design and operating effectiveness throughout a defined period. Where an enterprise customer needs evidence fast, Type 1 may be a practical starting point, so long as the customer accepts it.
For businesses exploring how to get SOC 2 type 2 certification, the process includes an observation period, typically three to twelve months, followed by an independent examination. Type 1 isn’t a mandatory prerequisite for Type 2. Make sure you know what your customer requires before you pay for either examination.
Fix Everyday Security Gaps First
If security controls are linked to everyday business activities, SOC 2 preparation becomes more manageable. Good first steps include requiring multi-factor authentication for important accounts, creating a documented employee offboarding process, and reviewing access permissions regularly.
Engineering teams should keep evidence of production changes and approvals. Risk assessments and relevant supplier reviews should be documented by management. Policies must describe what employees actually do. There is limited value in a polished procedure that nobody follows.
Collect Evidence as You Go
SOC 2 for saas companies involves demonstrating that relevant controls exist and, for Type 2, operate consistently. You could be asked for records showing when a former employee’s access was removed or whether a production deployment received appropriate approval.
Gathering these records as activities occur is far easier than reconstructing them months afterward. Through built-in controls, editable policy templates, evidence checklists, and document storage, CertAssist supports small teams manage this work.
Direct integrations with company systems aren’t required. Auditors can be given read-only access, while teams upload evidence themselves.
Why You Still Need an Independent Auditor
Strictly speaking, SOC 2 is an attestation rather than a certification. The SOC 2 report is issued by a licensed CPA firm that conducts the examination. Nothing replaces the independent auditor, not even compliance software, which can help prepare and organize evidence.
A US$225 monthly promotional subscription covering SOC 2, ISO 27001, and its other supported frameworks is advertised by CertAssist. Audit fees are charged separately. Request an auditor’s quote based on your business size, selected criteria, and intended reporting period before budgeting.
What Comes After the First SOC 2 Report
Completing a SOC 2 examination shouldn’t be the end of your security efforts. Over time, people join and leave, applications change, and new suppliers join your operations. Your controls must stay relevant.
Set clear responsibilities, retain evidence throughout the year, and regularly review whether your documented procedures match reality. As your startup grows, keeping this up makes future examinations easier and supports the security expectations of customers who depend on your software.