The technical evaluation is passed, pricing discussions are complete, and an enterprise customer is ready to proceed with your software product. Then procurement requests your latest SOC 2 report. There’s no report to hand over.
For Australian SaaS companies entering larger markets, this situation creates an immediate challenge. Rushing into the wrong assessment may not satisfy the customer’s requirements, and security assurance takes time. Understanding what the buyer expects, and planning backward from the deadline, is where the solution begins.
Begin calmly by finding out exactly what was asked for and by when. It’s worth asking before assuming, since the request sometimes leaves more room than it first appears.
Work Out Which Kind of SOC 2 Report the Buyer Wants
The level of assurance isn’t the same across every SOC 2 report. When responding to enterprise security requirements, the distinction between SOC 2 type 1 vs type 2 matters. Type 1 evaluates whether relevant controls are suitably designed at a particular date. Their design and operating effectiveness over a defined period are what Type 2 examines.
Some enterprise buyers accept Type 1 for a time, yet many ask specifically for Type 2 because it provides evidence covering actual operations. Confirm the report type, required scope, and acceptable reporting dates with the customer before commissioning an examination.
The report type, scope, and dates drive both the plan and the budget, so write the answers down.
Work Out Your Timeline From the Observation Period
A SOC 2 type 2 examination cannot be completed simply by preparing documentation and scheduling an auditor. The relevant controls have to be in operation across the whole reporting period. For an initial examination, that period may cover three months, while subsequent reports commonly examine longer periods.
If your business needs to demonstrate access reviews, security training, or change approvals, those activities must occur and be documented during the applicable window. By planning backward from a customer deadline, you can see whether the requested report can realistically be delivered on time.
Tell the customer early if the deadline is tighter than the observation period allows.
What Exactly Are You Paying For?
SOC 2 does not issue certificates, even though businesses frequently search for SOC 2 type 2 certification.
What you get is an attestation report from a licensed CPA firm that performs an independent examination against the applicable AICPA Trust Services Criteria. The report covers the assessed system, relevant controls, testing procedures, and the auditor’s opinion.
Often under a confidentiality agreement, that document is what customers typically review. A SOC type 2 report also relates to a specific historical period. It doesn’t automatically give assurance about every change made afterward.
Know the Costs Before Starting
An independent examination fee is only part of the cost of SOC 2 preparation. Help may be needed to develop policies, conduct risk assessments, prepare evidence, train employees, and arrange security testing.
A SOC 2 compliance package priced at AUD $2,750 per month, excluding GST, over twelve months is advertised by Siege Cyber for businesses with up to 50 employees. The advertised offer applies to eligible contracts signed by December 31, 2026. Compliance preparation, training, a compliance platform, and external penetration testing are included in its package.
Billed separately is the independent CPA examination, with Siege Cyber indicating typical fees of approximately AUD 5,000–15,000, depending on scope and complexity. Confirm current pricing, eligibility, and deliverables before committing.
What to Do When Your SOC 2 Report Has Aged
Suppose your Type 2 report covers January through June, but a customer requests assurance in October. The months in between aren’t examined by the report. A management-issued bridge letter describing relevant changes since the reporting period ended may be acceptable to some customers.
A bridge letter does not replace an independent examination, and acceptance depends on the customer’s requirements. Rather than assuming an older report will satisfy procurement, discuss reporting gaps early.
Make Compliance Count Beyond the Next Contract
Siege Cyber provides Australian-based SOC 2 readiness support with fixed-price consulting packages and independent audit coordination. The most useful approach for growing software companies is to connect compliance preparation with actual operational responsibilities.
Control owners should be assigned, security records maintained, and a reporting schedule established to support future customer reviews. A successful SOC 2 project should leave your business better prepared for the next enterprise opportunity, not simply help it respond to the current request.
Organized evidence from the start makes the next audit cycle less of a scramble. Regular reviews of responsibilities and schedules help controls keep operating between audits.