Your startup counts twelve employees, a working SaaS product, and an expanding customer base. Nobody in the company has “compliance manager” in their job title, but security is important. A potential enterprise customer then asks for a SOC 2 report.
What exactly should you do first?
For founders researching how to get SOC 2 certification, the answer is not to grab dozens of policies right away. A handful of decisions decides what your company needs to document, put in place, and prove, and that is where to start.
Define the Scope of Your First Audit
SOC 2 measures controls against the AICPA Trust Services Criteria. The criteria address Security, Availability, Confidentiality, Processing Integrity, and Privacy. Security is mandatory. The other areas are included when they are relevant to the organization’s services and commitments. A startup offering a straightforward business application may start with Security alone, provided that scope meets customer expectations.
The applications, infrastructure, employees, and service providers involved should be listed before anyone starts collecting evidence. Keeping the scope unnecessarily broad creates extra work, and it doesn’t necessarily improve the report’s value.
Type 1 or Type 2? Let the Deadline Choose
Anyone wondering how to get SOC 2 certified quickly finds two reporting options. The design of controls as of a specified date is what Type 1 covers. Over a defined period, Type 2 examines both their design and operating effectiveness. Type 1 may be a useful starting point when an enterprise customer needs evidence fast, assuming the customer accepts it.
For businesses investigating how to get SOC 2 type 2 certification, the process includes an observation period, commonly three to twelve months, followed by an independent examination. Type 1 isn’t a mandatory prerequisite for Type 2. Before paying for either examination, check your customer’s requirements.
Fix Everyday Security Gaps First
SOC 2 preparation is more manageable when security controls are linked to everyday business activities. Good first steps include enforcing multi-factor authentication for important accounts, establishing a documented employee offboarding process, and reviewing access permissions on a regular basis.
Developers should hold on to evidence of production changes and approvals. Risk assessments and relevant supplier reviews should be recorded by management. Actual employee practice needs to be reflected in your policies. A polished procedure provides limited value if nobody follows it.
Collect Evidence as You Go
In practice, SOC 2 for saas companies involves demonstrating that relevant controls exist and, for Type 2, operate consistently. Expect an auditor to ask about 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 reconstruct them months later. CertAssist assists small teams organize this work using built-in controls, editable policy templates, evidence checklists, and document storage.
The platform doesn’t require direct integrations with company systems. Evidence is uploaded by the team, and auditors can be provided with read-only access.
Know What the Independent Audit Involves
What SOC 2 produces is formally an attestation, not a certification. The examination is performed by a licensed CPA firm, which issues the SOC 2 report. The independent auditor cannot be replaced by compliance software, which helps prepare and organize evidence.
A monthly promotional subscription of US$225 covering SOC 2, ISO 27001, and its other supported frameworks is offered by CertAssist. Independent audit fees are billed separately. An auditor’s quote based on your business size, selected criteria, and intended reporting period is worth requesting before you budget.
What Comes After the First SOC 2 Report
Your security work shouldn’t end once the SOC 2 examination is completed. Over time, people join and leave, applications change, and new suppliers become part of your operations. Your controls must remain relevant.
Make sure each responsibility has a clear owner, evidence is retained throughout the year, and documented procedures are reviewed periodically against reality. That discipline helps make future examinations easier for a growing startup, while also supporting the security expectations of customers who depend on your software.