With twelve people, a working SaaS product, and an expanding customer base, your startup is off to a good start. Security matters, but no one has “compliance manager” in their job title. Soon, a prospective enterprise customer requests a SOC 2 report.
What exactly do you do next?
For founders researching how to get SOC 2 certification, the first step isn’t to grab dozens of policies right away. A handful of decisions defines what your company needs to document, implement, and prove, and that is where to start.
Define the Scope of Your First SOC 2 Audit
SOC 2 evaluates controls against the AICPA Trust Services Criteria. Security, Availability, Confidentiality, Processing Integrity, and Privacy are the categories they cover. Of these, only Security is mandatory. The remaining areas are added when they are relevant to the organization’s services and commitments. If a startup is offering a straightforward business application, beginning with Security alone can work, provided that scope meets customer expectations.
The applications, infrastructure, employees, and service providers involved should be mapped out before anyone starts collecting evidence. A broader scope brings extra work, but not always a more useful report.
Type 1 or Type 2? Let the Deadline Choose
There are two reporting options for anyone searching for how to get SOC 2 certified. The design of controls at a specified date is what Type 1 evaluates. Throughout a defined period, Type 2 evaluates both the controls’ design and operating effectiveness. If an enterprise customer needs evidence in a hurry, Type 1 may be a useful first step, as long as 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 is not a mandatory prerequisite for Type 2. Before paying for either examination, confirm your customer’s requirements.
Start With Day-to-Day Security Gaps
SOC 2 preparation is more manageable when security controls are linked to everyday business activities. Good first steps include requiring multi-factor authentication for important accounts, creating a documented employee offboarding process, and reviewing access permissions regularly.
Keep evidence of production changes and approvals within the development team. Document risk assessments and relevant supplier reviews at the management level. Policies must match what employees actually do. A beautifully written procedure has limited value if nobody follows it.
Organize Evidence Before It Becomes a Problem
SOC 2 for saas companies involves demonstrating that relevant controls exist and, for Type 2, operate consistently. You may be asked for records showing when a former employee’s access was removed or whether a production deployment received appropriate approval.
Gathering these records as activities occur is much easier than reconstructing them months afterward. CertAssist assists small teams organize this work using built-in controls, editable policy templates, evidence checklists, and document storage.
No direct integrations with company systems are required. Auditors can be given read-only access, while teams upload evidence themselves.
Why You Still Need an Independent Auditor
Technically, SOC 2 is an attestation rather than a certification. A licensed CPA firm carries out the examination and issues the SOC 2 report. Compliance software helps prepare and organize evidence, but 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. The independent audit is a separate expense. Before budgeting, ask for an auditor’s quote based on your business size, selected criteria, and intended reporting period.
Make the Process Manageable After the First Report
Finishing a SOC 2 examination isn’t the end of your security work. Over time, people join and leave, applications change, and new suppliers join your operations. It matters that your controls remain relevant.
Make sure each responsibility has a clear owner, evidence is retained throughout the year, and documented procedures are reviewed periodically against reality. For a growing startup, that discipline makes future examinations easier while supporting the security expectations of customers who depend on your software.