Your startup employs twelve people, a functioning SaaS product, and a steadily growing customer base. Security matters, but not one person carries “compliance manager” in their job title. Then a would-be enterprise customer asks for a SOC 2 report.
What should you do next?
For founders researching how to get SOC 2 certification, the answer isn’t to download dozens of policies immediately. A handful of decisions determines what your company needs to document, implement, and prove, and that is where to start.
Settle the Scope of Your First SOC 2 Audit
Your controls are evaluated against the AICPA Trust Services Criteria in a SOC 2 examination. The criteria are organized into five categories: 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. Provided that scope meets customer expectations, a startup offering a straightforward business application may start with Security alone.
Before collecting evidence, identify the applications, infrastructure, employees, and service providers involved. A broader scope brings additional work, though not always a more valuable report.
Type 1 vs. Type 2? Let the Deadline Choose
Anybody asking how to get SOC 2 certified soon runs into two reporting options. Type 1 evaluates the design of controls as of a specified date. Throughout a defined period, Type 2 evaluates both their design and operating effectiveness. If an enterprise customer needs evidence in a hurry, Type 1 may be a useful starting point, assuming the customer accepts it.
For businesses exploring how to get SOC 2 type 2 certification, the process includes an observation period, usually three to twelve months, followed by an independent examination. Type 2 doesn’t require a Type 1 report first. Make sure you know what your customer requires before paying for either examination.
Close the Everyday Security Gaps First
When security controls are connected to everyday business activities, SOC 2 preparation becomes more manageable. Good first steps include enforcing multi-factor authentication for important accounts, creating a documented employee offboarding process, and reviewing access permissions on a regular basis.
Developers should hold on to evidence of production changes and approvals. Company leadership should document risk assessments and relevant supplier reviews. Actual employee practice needs to be reflected in the policies. There is limited value in a well-written procedure that no one follows.
Organize Evidence Before It Becomes a Problem
SOC 2 for saas companies means demonstrating that relevant controls exist and, for Type 2, operate consistently. An auditor might ask for records showing 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. Small teams that need help can organize this work with CertAssist’s built-in controls, editable policy templates, evidence checklists, and document storage.
Direct integrations with company systems aren’t required. Evidence gets uploaded by the team, and auditors can be given read-only access.
Know Exactly 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 then issues the SOC 2 report. Software can help prepare and organize evidence, yet it can’t replace the independent auditor.
On the software side, CertAssist offers a US$225 monthly promotional subscription covering SOC 2, ISO 27001, and its other supported frameworks. The independent audit is a separate expense. Get an auditor’s quote based on your business size, selected criteria, and intended reporting period before you set a budget.
What Happens After the First SOC 2 Report
A completed SOC 2 examination shouldn’t mark the end of your security work. Your operations keep changing: employees join and leave, applications change, and new suppliers appear. Your controls need to stay relevant.
Three habits keep things on track: assigning clear responsibilities, retaining evidence throughout the year, and regularly reviewing whether your documented procedures match reality. For a growing startup, keeping this up makes future examinations easier and helps meet the security expectations of customers who depend on your software.