Your startup has twelve people, a working SaaS product, and an expanding customer base. Everyone cares about security, though nobody has “compliance manager” as a job title. Soon, a potential enterprise customer asks for a SOC 2 report.
Where do you start?
Grabbing dozens of policies right away isn’t the first step for founders researching how to get SOC 2 certification. Instead, begin by making a few decisions that decide what your company needs to document, put in place, and prove.
Settle the Scope of Your First Audit
Controls are assessed using the AICPA Trust Services Criteria in a SOC 2 examination. Security, Availability, Confidentiality, Processing Integrity, and Privacy are the categories they address. Of these, only Security is mandatory. Add the other areas only when they are relevant to the organization’s services and commitments. Provided that scope meets customer expectations, a startup running a straightforward business application may begin with Security alone.
The applications, infrastructure, employees, and service providers involved should be identified before anyone starts collecting evidence. Keeping the scope overly broad creates additional work, and it doesn’t necessarily improve the report’s value.
Choose the SOC 2 Report Your Deadline Allows
People searching for how to get SOC 2 certified usually find two reporting options. At a specified date, Type 1 evaluates the design of controls. Type 2 covers those controls’ design and operating effectiveness throughout a defined period. If an enterprise customer needs evidence in a hurry, Type 1 may be a useful first step, provided the customer accepts it.
The process for how to get SOC 2 type 2 certification begins with an observation period, typically three to twelve months, followed by an independent examination. You don’t have to get Type 1 ahead of Type 2. Check your customer’s requirements before paying for either examination.
Fix Everyday Security Gaps First
When security controls are connected to ordinary business activities, SOC 2 preparation gets more manageable. Think of enforcing 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 retained by developers. Document risk assessments and relevant supplier reviews at the leadership level. Actual employee practice needs to be reflected in the policies. A well-written procedure offers limited value if nobody follows it.
Gather 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.
Reconstructing these records months later is far harder than gathering them as activities occur. CertAssist supports small teams manage this work through built-in controls, editable policy templates, evidence checklists, and document storage.
There’s no need for direct integrations with company systems. Auditors can be provided with read-only access, while teams upload evidence themselves.
Know What the Independent Audit Requires
What SOC 2 produces is technically an attestation, not a certification. The examination is performed by a licensed CPA firm, which then issues the SOC 2 report. Compliance software can help prepare and organize evidence, yet it can’t replace the independent auditor.
CertAssist offers a US$225 monthly promotional subscription that includes SOC 2, ISO 27001, and its other supported frameworks. The independent audit is a separate expense. Ask for an auditor’s quote that reflects your business size, selected criteria, and intended reporting period before budgeting.
Keep the Process Manageable After the First Report
Completing a SOC 2 examination shouldn’t be the end of your security efforts. People join and leave, applications change, and new suppliers become part of your operations. It matters that your controls stay relevant.
Make sure responsibilities are clearly assigned, evidence is retained throughout the year, and documented procedures are reviewed periodically against reality. For a growing startup, that discipline makes future examinations easier while supporting the security expectations of customers who depend on your software.