With twelve people, a working SaaS product, and a growing customer base, your startup is well on its way. People take security seriously, yet no one holds “compliance manager” as a job title. A prospective enterprise customer next requests a SOC 2 report.
Where do you begin?
For founders researching how to get SOC 2 certification, the answer isn’t to download dozens of policies immediately. A handful of decisions defines what your company needs to document, put in place, and prove, and that is where to start.
Settle the Scope of Your First Audit
Your controls are evaluated using the AICPA Trust Services Criteria in a SOC 2 examination. The criteria are organized into five categories: Security, Availability, Confidentiality, Processing Integrity, and Privacy. Only Security is required. Include the other categories 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 can work, provided that scope meets customer expectations.
Map out the applications, infrastructure, employees, and service providers involved prior to collecting evidence. A needlessly broad scope adds extra work without necessarily increasing the report’s value.
Pick the SOC 2 Report Your Deadline Allows
People searching for how to get SOC 2 certified frequently learn about two reporting options. The design of controls at a specified date is what Type 1 examines. Type 2 goes further, examining both design and operating effectiveness over a defined period. Type 1 may be a useful starting point when an enterprise customer needs evidence quickly, as long as 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. You don’t have to complete Type 1 ahead of Type 2. Before paying for either examination, check your customer’s requirements.
Tackle the Day-to-Day Security Gaps First
SOC 2 preparation becomes more manageable when security controls are linked to existing business activities. Think of requiring multi-factor authentication for important accounts, establishing a documented employee offboarding process, and reviewing access permissions regularly.
Keep evidence of production changes and approvals within the development team. Management should record risk assessments and relevant supplier reviews. Write policies so they describe what employees actually do. A polished procedure offers limited value if nobody follows it.
Get 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 might request records showing when a former employee’s access was removed or whether a production deployment received appropriate approval.
It’s easier to collect these records as activities occur than to reconstruct them months later. CertAssist helps small teams organize this work through 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 formally an attestation, not a certification. A licensed CPA firm performs the examination and issues the SOC 2 report. Compliance software can help prepare and organize evidence, but it cannot replace the independent auditor.
A US$225 monthly promotional subscription that covers SOC 2, ISO 27001, and its other supported frameworks is offered by CertAssist. Independent audit fees are separate. Request an auditor’s quote based on your business size, selected criteria, and intended reporting period before budgeting.
Make Compliance Manageable After Your First Report
Security work shouldn’t stop once the SOC 2 examination is finished. Things keep changing: employees join and leave, applications change, and new suppliers arrive. Controls have to 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 helps meet the security expectations of customers who depend on your software.