Your startup has twelve people, a live SaaS product, and an expanding customer base. Security matters, but no one carries “compliance manager” in their job title. Then a would-be enterprise customer asks for a SOC 2 report.
So, where should you begin?
For founders researching how to get SOC 2 certification, the answer isn’t to download dozens of policies immediately. What matters is to make a few decisions that determine what your company needs to document, implement, and prove.
Settle the Scope of Your First Audit
Your controls are assessed using the AICPA Trust Services Criteria in a SOC 2 examination. These address Security, Availability, Confidentiality, Processing Integrity, and Privacy. Security is the one required category. Include the remaining categories only 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 begin with Security alone.
The applications, infrastructure, employees, and service providers involved should be listed before collecting evidence. More scope means additional work, though not necessarily a more useful report.
Pick the SOC 2 Report Your Deadline Allows
There are two reporting options for people researching how to get SOC 2 certified. Type 1 looks at the design of controls at a specified date. Over a defined period, Type 2 evaluates 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 exploring how to get SOC 2 type 2 certification, the process includes an observation period, typically three to twelve months, followed by an independent examination. Type 1 is not a mandatory prerequisite for Type 2. Make sure you know what your customer requires before paying for either examination.
Begin With Everyday Security Gaps
Tying security controls to ordinary business activities helps make SOC 2 preparation more manageable. Consider enforcing 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 retained by engineering teams. Management should document risk assessments and relevant supplier reviews. Draft policies so they describe what employees actually do. There is limited value in a well-written procedure that no one follows.
Collect Evidence While Things Are Happening
Demonstrating that relevant controls exist and, for Type 2, operate consistently is the heart of SOC 2 for saas companies. Expect an auditor to ask about when a former employee’s access was removed or whether a production deployment received appropriate approval.
Collecting these records as activities occur is easier than reconstructing them months afterward. Small teams that need help can organize this work with CertAssist’s built-in controls, editable policy templates, evidence checklists, and document storage.
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 SOC 2 report is issued by a licensed CPA firm that conducts the examination. Compliance software can help prepare and organize evidence, yet it cannot replace the independent auditor.
A monthly promotional subscription of US$225 that covers SOC 2, ISO 27001, and its other supported frameworks is offered by CertAssist. Fees for the independent audit are charged separately. A quote from an auditor reflecting your business size, selected criteria, and intended reporting period should come first.
Keep the Process Manageable After the First Report
Completing a SOC 2 examination shouldn’t be the end of your security work. Things keep changing: people join and leave, applications change, and new suppliers arrive. Your controls have to stay relevant.
Make sure each responsibility has a clear owner, evidence is retained throughout the year, and documented procedures are reviewed regularly against reality. For a growing startup, that discipline makes future examinations easier while supporting the security expectations of customers who depend on your software.