Your startup employs twelve employees, a working SaaS product, and an expanding customer base. Security matters, but not one person carries “compliance manager” in their job title. Then a prospective enterprise customer wants to see a SOC 2 report.
Where do you start?
For founders researching how to get SOC 2 certification, the answer isn’t to download dozens of policies immediately. A handful of choices determines what your company needs to document, implement, and prove, and that is where to start.
Define the Scope of Your First SOC 2 Audit
The AICPA Trust Services Criteria are what SOC 2 assesses controls against. The criteria address Security, Availability, Confidentiality, Processing Integrity, and Privacy. Security is required. Add the remaining areas only when they are relevant to the organization’s services and commitments. For a startup running a straightforward business application, starting with Security alone can work, provided that scope meets customer expectations.
The applications, infrastructure, employees, and service providers involved should be listed before collecting evidence. An overly broad scope creates additional work without necessarily increasing the report’s value.
Choose the Report That Matches Your Deadline
People searching for how to get SOC 2 certified often learn about two reporting options. At a specified date, Type 1 evaluates the design of controls. Type 2 goes further, examining both design and operating effectiveness throughout a defined period. If an enterprise customer needs evidence fast, Type 1 may be a useful first step, as long as the customer accepts it.
For businesses exploring how to get SOC 2 type 2 certification, the process includes an observation period, usually three to twelve months, followed by an independent examination. Type 1 is not a mandatory prerequisite for Type 2. Before paying for either examination, verify your customer’s requirements.
Begin With Day-to-Day Security Basics
When security controls are linked to everyday business activities, SOC 2 preparation gets more manageable. For example, enforce multi-factor authentication for important accounts, set up a documented employee offboarding process, and review access permissions on a regular basis.
Keep evidence of production changes and approvals inside the development team. Document risk assessments and relevant supplier reviews at the management level. Policies must reflect what employees actually do. There is limited value in a polished procedure that nobody follows.
Get Your Evidence Organized Before the Auditor Asks
In practice, SOC 2 for saas companies means demonstrating that relevant controls exist and, for Type 2, operate consistently. An auditor may well ask when a former employee’s access was removed or whether a production deployment received appropriate approval.
Gathering these records as activities occur is easier than reconstructing them months later. CertAssist assists small teams manage this work through built-in controls, editable policy templates, evidence checklists, and document storage.
Direct integrations with company systems aren’t required. Auditors can be provided with read-only access, while teams upload evidence themselves.
Understand What the Independent Audit Requires
Technically, SOC 2 is an attestation rather than a certification. The examination is performed by a licensed CPA firm, which issues the SOC 2 report. Software can help prepare and organize evidence, yet 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. Before budgeting, get an auditor’s quote based on your business size, selected criteria, and intended reporting period.
Make the Process Manageable After Your First Report
A completed SOC 2 examination shouldn’t mark the end of your security work. Team members join and leave, applications change, and new suppliers become part of your operations. Your controls need to remain relevant.
Three habits help: setting clear responsibilities, retaining evidence throughout the year, and periodically reviewing whether your documented procedures match reality. For a growing startup, that discipline makes future examinations easier while supporting the security expectations of customers who depend on your software.