Imagine a startup that has twelve employees, a functioning SaaS product, and an expanding customer base. Security matters, but no one carries “compliance manager” in their job title. Soon, a potential enterprise customer wants to see a SOC 2 report.
So, where should you begin?
If you’re a founder researching how to get SOC 2 certification, resist the urge to grab dozens of policies right away. A handful of choices determines what your company needs to document, implement, and prove, and that is where to start.
Settle the Scope of Your First SOC 2 Audit
SOC 2 measures controls against the AICPA Trust Services Criteria. Security, Availability, Confidentiality, Processing Integrity, and Privacy are the categories they address. Every SOC 2 report includes Security. Add the other areas only when they are relevant to the organization’s services and commitments. Provided that scope meets customer expectations, a startup with a straightforward business application may begin with Security alone.
Before you collect any evidence, list the applications, infrastructure, employees, and service providers involved. More scope means extra work, though not always a more valuable report.
Type 1 vs. Type 2? Let the Deadline Choose
There are two reporting options for anyone searching for how to get SOC 2 certified. At a specified date, Type 1 examines the design of controls. Throughout a defined period, Type 2 examines both their design and operating effectiveness. If an enterprise customer needs evidence fast, 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. You do not have to finish Type 1 before Type 2. Check your customer’s requirements before paying for either examination.
Fix the Day-to-Day Security Gaps First
SOC 2 preparation gets more manageable when security controls are connected to everyday business activities. A sensible place to start is requiring multi-factor authentication for important accounts, establishing a documented employee offboarding process, and reviewing access permissions on a regular basis.
Development teams should keep evidence of production changes and approvals. Record risk assessments and relevant supplier reviews at the management level. Write policies so they describe what employees actually do. When nobody follows it, even a well-written procedure offers limited value.
Keep Your Evidence Organized Before Problems Start
SOC 2 for saas companies involves demonstrating that relevant controls exist and, for Type 2, operate consistently. 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. Through built-in controls, editable policy templates, evidence checklists, and document storage, CertAssist helps small teams manage this work.
There is no need for direct integrations with company systems. Auditors can be provided with read-only access, while teams upload evidence themselves.
Why You Still Need an Independent Auditor
SOC 2 is technically an attestation, not a certification. A licensed CPA firm carries out the examination and issues the SOC 2 report. The independent auditor cannot be replaced by compliance software, though it helps 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. Independent audits are a separate cost. Before budgeting, get an auditor’s quote based on your business size, selected criteria, and intended reporting period.
What Comes After Your First SOC 2 Report
Completing a SOC 2 examination isn’t the end of your security efforts. Things keep changing: employees join and leave, applications change, and new suppliers arrive. Your controls need to stay relevant.
Three habits help: assigning clear responsibilities, retaining evidence throughout the year, and regularly reviewing whether your documented procedures match reality. This discipline helps make future examinations easier as a startup grows, while also supporting the security expectations of customers who depend on your software.
