Your startup counts twelve people, a functioning SaaS product, and a steadily growing customer base. No one at the company holds “compliance manager” in their job title, but security matters. One day, a potential enterprise customer asks for a SOC 2 report.
Where do you start?
For founders researching how to get SOC 2 certification, the answer isn’t to download dozens of policies immediately. A handful of decisions decides what your company needs to document, implement, and prove, and that is where to start.
Decide What Your First SOC 2 Audit Should Cover
The AICPA Trust Services Criteria serve as the standard that SOC 2 assesses controls against. The criteria address Security, Availability, Confidentiality, Processing Integrity, and Privacy. Every report includes 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 begin with Security alone, so long as that scope meets customer expectations.
Before you collect any evidence, list the applications, infrastructure, employees, and service providers involved. More scope means additional work, but not necessarily a more valuable report.
Type 1 or Type 2? Let the Deadline Choose
Anyone asking how to get SOC 2 certified soon runs into two reporting options. As of a specified date, Type 1 examines the design of controls. Throughout a defined period, Type 2 evaluates both their design and operating effectiveness. Where an enterprise customer needs evidence fast, Type 1 can be a practical starting point, so long as the customer accepts it.
For businesses researching 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 is not a mandatory prerequisite for Type 2. Before paying for either examination, confirm your customer’s requirements.
Begin With Everyday Security Gaps
If security controls are connected to ordinary business activities, SOC 2 preparation becomes more manageable. Consider requiring multi-factor authentication for important accounts, setting up a documented employee offboarding process, and reviewing access permissions on a regular basis.
Evidence of production changes and approvals should be kept by developers. Record risk assessments and relevant supplier reviews at the management level. What employees actually do must be reflected in your policies. When nobody follows it, even a beautifully written procedure offers limited value.
Get Your Evidence Organized Before the Auditor Asks
Showing that relevant controls exist and, for Type 2, operate consistently is the heart of SOC 2 for saas companies. You might be asked for records showing when a former employee’s access was removed or whether a production deployment received appropriate approval.
Rebuilding these records months later is far harder than gathering them as activities occur. With built-in controls, editable policy templates, evidence checklists, and document storage, CertAssist helps small teams manage this work.
There’s no need for direct integrations with company systems. Auditors can be provided with read-only access, while teams upload evidence themselves.
Why You Still Need an Independent Auditor
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 offered by CertAssist. Independent audits are a separate expense. Before budgeting, request an auditor’s quote based on your business size, selected criteria, and intended reporting period.
Keep the Process Manageable After Your First Report
Completing a SOC 2 examination shouldn’t be the end of your security work. Over time, people join and leave, applications change, and new suppliers become part of your operations. Controls have to remain relevant.
Define clear responsibilities, retain evidence throughout the year, and regularly review whether your documented procedures match reality. For a growing startup, keeping this up will make future examinations easier and helps meet the security expectations of customers who depend on your software.