Your software product has passed the technical evaluation, pricing discussions are complete, and an enterprise customer is ready to proceed. Procurement then requests your latest SOC 2 report. You have nothing to send.
When Australian SaaS companies enter larger markets, this situation presents an immediate challenge. Security assurance takes time, and rushing into the wrong assessment may not satisfy the customer’s requirements. Understanding what the buyer expects, and planning backward from the deadline, is where the solution begins.
The calm first step is to establish exactly what was asked for and the date it’s needed. Ask before assuming: a request sometimes leaves more room than it first seems to.
Confirm Which SOC 2 Report the Customer Needs
Not every SOC 2 report provides the same level of assurance. The distinction between SOC 2 type 1 vs type 2 matters when responding to enterprise security requirements. Type 1 looks at whether relevant controls are suitably designed as of a particular date. Over a defined period, Type 2 examines both their design and their operating effectiveness.
Many enterprise buyers specifically request Type 2 because it provides evidence covering actual operations, though some may accept Type 1 temporarily. Check the report type, required scope, and acceptable reporting dates with the customer before you commission an examination.
The report type, scope, and dates drive both the plan and the budget, so write the answers down.
Why the Observation Period Shapes Your Timeline
A SOC 2 type 2 examination cannot be completed simply by preparing documentation and scheduling an auditor. Throughout the reporting period, the organization must operate its relevant controls. Subsequent reports commonly examine longer periods, but for an initial examination the period may cover three months.
If your business needs to demonstrate access reviews, security training, or change approvals, those activities must occur and be documented during the applicable window. Planning backward from a customer deadline helps identify whether the requested report can realistically be delivered on time.
Tell the customer early if the deadline is tighter than the observation period allows. A dated plan is one interim step that some customers are willing to discuss when they hear about the gap early.
Understand What the Examination Delivers
Many businesses search for SOC 2 type 2 certification, yet SOC 2 does not issue certificates.
A licensed CPA firm performs an independent examination against the applicable AICPA Trust Services Criteria and issues an attestation report. The report describes the assessed system, relevant controls, testing procedures, and the auditor’s opinion.
Customers typically review that document, often under a confidentiality agreement. A specific historical period is also what a SOC type 2 report relates to. It doesn’t automatically give assurance about every change made afterward.
What Will SOC 2 Preparation Cost?
More than an independent examination fee is involved in SOC 2 preparation. Developing policies, conducting risk assessments, preparing evidence, training employees, and arranging security testing are all areas where businesses may need assistance.
Siege Cyber advertises a SOC 2 compliance package for businesses with up to 50 employees, priced at AUD $2,750 per month, excluding GST, over twelve months. The advertised offer applies to eligible contracts signed by December 31, 2026. Included in its package are compliance preparation, training, a compliance platform, and external penetration testing.
The independent CPA examination is billed separately, with Siege Cyber indicating typical fees of approximately AUD 5,000–15,000, depending on scope and complexity. Check current pricing, eligibility, and deliverables before you commit.
Dealing With a Report That Has Aged
Say your Type 2 report covers January through June, yet a customer requests assurance in October. The intervening months fall outside what the report examines. Some customers may accept a management-issued bridge letter describing relevant changes since the reporting period ended.
Still, whether it’s accepted depends on the customer’s requirements, and a bridge letter does not replace an independent examination. Don’t assume an older report will satisfy procurement; discuss reporting gaps early.
Make Compliance Count Beyond the Next Contract
With fixed-price consulting packages and independent audit coordination, Siege Cyber provides Australian-based SOC 2 readiness support. The most useful approach for growing software companies is to connect compliance preparation with actual operational responsibilities.
Control owners should be assigned, security records maintained, and a reporting schedule established to support future customer reviews. A successful SOC 2 project should leave your business better prepared for the next enterprise opportunity, not simply help it respond to the current request.
Keeping the evidence you collect organized from the start also makes the next audit cycle less of a scramble. Reviewing responsibilities and schedules at regular intervals helps controls keep operating between audits.