Your startup counts twelve people, a live SaaS product, and an expanding customer base. Nobody in the company has “compliance manager” in their job title, but security is important. A prospective enterprise customer then requests a SOC 2 report.
Where do you start?
Grabbing dozens of policies right away is not the answer for founders researching how to get SOC 2 certification. Begin by making a few choices that determine what your company needs to document, put in place, and prove.
Start by Defining What Your First Audit Will Cover
SOC 2 measures controls against the AICPA Trust Services Criteria. Security, Availability, Confidentiality, Processing Integrity, and Privacy are the categories they address. Among them, only Security is required. Add the remaining areas only when they’re relevant to the organization’s services and commitments. If a startup is running a straightforward business application, starting with Security alone may work, provided that scope meets customer expectations.
The applications, infrastructure, employees, and service providers involved should be mapped out before anyone starts collecting evidence. More scope means extra work, but not always a more valuable report.
Choose the Report That Matches Your Deadline
People searching for how to get SOC 2 certified often discover two reporting options. The design of controls at a specified date is what Type 1 covers. Throughout a defined period, Type 2 examines both the controls’ design and operating effectiveness. Where an enterprise customer needs evidence fast, Type 1 may be a useful place to start, if the customer accepts it.
For businesses exploring 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 isn’t a mandatory prerequisite for Type 2. Verify your customer’s requirements before paying for either examination.
Begin With Everyday Security Gaps
When security controls are linked to everyday business activities, SOC 2 preparation becomes more manageable. Consider requiring multi-factor authentication for important accounts, establishing a documented employee offboarding process, and reviewing access permissions regularly.
Evidence of production changes and approvals should be retained by developers. Leadership should document risk assessments and relevant supplier reviews. Write policies so they describe what employees actually do. If nobody follows it, even a polished procedure has limited value.
Keep Your Evidence Organized Before Problems Start
Showing that relevant controls exist and, for Type 2, operate consistently is central to SOC 2 for saas companies. An auditor may ask for records showing when a former employee’s access was removed or whether a production deployment received appropriate approval.
Collecting these records as activities occur is much easier than reconstructing them months afterward. Small teams can manage this work with CertAssist’s built-in controls, editable policy templates, evidence checklists, and document storage.
There is no need for direct integrations with company systems. Auditors can be provided with read-only access, while teams upload evidence themselves.
Understand the Independent Audit Requirement
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. The independent auditor cannot be replaced by compliance software, which can help prepare and organize evidence.
CertAssist offers a US$225 monthly promotional subscription that covers SOC 2, ISO 27001, and its other supported frameworks. The independent audit is a separate cost. An auditor’s quote based on your business size, selected criteria, and intended reporting period should come first.
Keep the Process Manageable After Your First Report
Security work shouldn’t stop when the SOC 2 examination is finished. Over time, people join and leave, applications change, and new suppliers become part of your operations. It’s important that your controls remain relevant.
Set clear responsibilities, retain evidence throughout the year, and periodically review whether your documented procedures match reality. For a growing startup, that discipline makes future examinations easier and supports the security expectations of customers who depend on your software.