Picture a startup with twelve employees, a working SaaS product, and an expanding customer base. Security matters, but no one holds “compliance manager” in their job title. One day, a prospective enterprise customer requests a SOC 2 report.
Where do you begin?
Grabbing dozens of policies immediately is not the first step for founders researching how to get SOC 2 certification. A handful of choices defines what your company needs to document, implement, and prove, and that is where to start.
Start by Deciding Your Audit Scope
SOC 2 assesses controls against the AICPA Trust Services Criteria. The criteria address Security, Availability, Confidentiality, Processing Integrity, and Privacy. Security is required. The remaining categories are included when they are relevant to the organization’s services and commitments. A startup offering a straightforward business application may start with Security alone, as long as that scope meets customer expectations.
Identify the applications, infrastructure, employees, and service providers involved prior to collecting evidence. A broader scope brings extra work, but not always a more useful report.
Type 1 or Type 2? Let the Deadline Decide
There are two reporting options for anyone researching how to get SOC 2 certified. As of a specified date, Type 1 examines the design of controls. Type 2 covers their design and operating effectiveness over a defined period. If an enterprise customer needs evidence in a hurry, Type 1 may be a useful starting point, assuming the customer accepts it.
Businesses exploring how to get SOC 2 type 2 certification should expect an observation period, commonly three to twelve months, and then an independent examination. Type 1 is not a mandatory prerequisite for Type 2. Verify your customer’s requirements before paying for either examination.
Fix the Day-to-Day Security Gaps First
SOC 2 preparation becomes more manageable when security controls are tied to ordinary business activities. For example, require multi-factor authentication for important accounts, create a documented employee offboarding process, and review access permissions on a regular basis.
Development teams should hold on to evidence of production changes and approvals. Company leadership should record risk assessments and relevant supplier reviews. Write policies that describe what employees actually do. When nobody follows it, even a beautifully written procedure provides limited value.
Organize Evidence Before It Becomes a Problem
SOC 2 for saas companies involves demonstrating that relevant controls exist and, for Type 2, operate consistently. Expect an auditor to ask 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 rebuild them months later. Small teams can manage 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 given read-only access, while teams upload evidence themselves.
Know What the Independent Audit Involves
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, though it can help prepare and organize evidence.
For the software, CertAssist advertises a US$225 monthly promotional subscription covering SOC 2, ISO 27001, and its other supported frameworks. Fees for the independent audit are separate. Request an auditor’s quote based on your business size, selected criteria, and intended reporting period before you set a budget.
Keep the Process Manageable After Your First Report
Finishing a SOC 2 examination isn’t the end of your security work. As time passes, employees join and leave, applications change, and new suppliers join your operations. It matters that your controls remain relevant.
Make sure responsibilities are clearly assigned, evidence is retained throughout the year, and documented procedures are reviewed regularly against reality. This discipline helps make future examinations easier as a startup grows, and it supports the security expectations of customers who depend on your software.