With twelve people, a functioning SaaS product, and an expanding customer base, your startup is moving in the right direction. Nobody in the company holds “compliance manager” in their job title, but security matters. Then a potential enterprise customer requests a SOC 2 report.
Where do you begin?
If you’re a founder researching how to get SOC 2 certification, resist the urge to download dozens of policies right away. A handful of choices determines what your company needs to document, put in place, and prove, and that is where to start.
Define the Scope of Your First Audit
Controls are assessed using the AICPA Trust Services Criteria in a SOC 2 examination. There are five categories: Security, Availability, Confidentiality, Processing Integrity, and Privacy. Every SOC 2 report must include Security. Inclusion of the other categories depends on whether they’re relevant to the organization’s services and commitments. A startup running a straightforward business application may start with Security alone, so long as that scope meets customer expectations.
The applications, infrastructure, employees, and service providers involved should be identified before anyone starts collecting evidence. An unnecessarily broad scope adds additional work without necessarily increasing the report’s value.
Type 1 or Type 2? Let the Deadline Decide
People searching for how to get SOC 2 certified often discover two reporting options. The design of controls at a specified date is what Type 1 evaluates. Type 2 goes further, evaluating both design and operating effectiveness throughout a defined period. If an enterprise customer needs evidence fast, Type 1 may be a useful starting point, assuming the customer accepts it.
Businesses investigating how to get SOC 2 type 2 certification should expect an observation period, commonly three to twelve months, followed by an independent examination. Type 1 is not a mandatory prerequisite for Type 2. Before paying for either examination, verify your customer’s requirements.
Fix the Everyday Security Gaps Before Anything Else
Linking security controls to everyday business activities makes SOC 2 preparation more manageable. For instance, enforce multi-factor authentication for important accounts, create a documented employee offboarding process, and review access permissions on a regular basis.
Development teams should keep evidence of production changes and approvals. Record risk assessments and relevant supplier reviews at the management level. What employees actually do needs to be reflected in the policies. If nobody follows it, even a well-written procedure offers limited value.
Keep Your Evidence Organized Before Problems Start
In practice, SOC 2 for saas companies involves demonstrating that relevant controls exist and, for Type 2, operate consistently. An auditor could ask 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 harder than collecting them as activities occur. CertAssist helps small teams structure this work with built-in controls, editable policy templates, evidence checklists, and document storage.
Direct integrations with company systems aren’t required. Evidence is uploaded by the team, and auditors can be given read-only access.
Understand What the Independent Audit Requires
The outcome of SOC 2 is technically an attestation, not a certification. The examination is conducted by a licensed CPA firm, which issues the SOC 2 report. Compliance software can help prepare and organize evidence, yet it cannot replace the independent auditor.
A US$225 monthly promotional subscription covering SOC 2, ISO 27001, and its other supported frameworks is advertised by CertAssist. Independent audit fees are billed separately. Get an auditor’s quote based on your business size, selected criteria, and intended reporting period before you set a budget.
What Happens After Your First SOC 2 Report
A completed SOC 2 examination shouldn’t mark the end of your security activities. Employees join and leave, applications change, and new suppliers become part of your operations. Your controls must remain relevant.
Define clear responsibilities, retain evidence throughout the year, and periodically review whether your documented procedures match reality. This discipline makes future examinations easier as a startup grows, and it supports the security expectations of customers who depend on your software.