Picture a startup that has twelve employees, a working SaaS product, and an expanding customer base. Security matters, but nobody has “compliance manager” in their job title. A potential enterprise customer next requests a SOC 2 report.
So, 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 choices determines what your company needs to document, implement, and prove, and that is where to start.
Begin by Deciding Your Audit Scope
Controls are assessed using the AICPA Trust Services Criteria in a SOC 2 examination. Security, Availability, Confidentiality, Processing Integrity, and Privacy are the areas they cover. Security is mandatory. Inclusion of the other categories depends on whether they’re relevant to the organization’s services and commitments. As long as that scope meets customer expectations, a startup running a straightforward business application may start with Security alone.
Map out the applications, infrastructure, employees, and service providers involved before collecting evidence. Making the scope overly broad creates additional work, but it doesn’t necessarily increase the report’s value.
Choose the Report That Matches Your Deadline
Anybody asking how to get SOC 2 certified quickly finds two reporting options. Type 1 examines the design of controls as of a specified date. Over a defined period, Type 2 examines both their design and operating effectiveness. If an enterprise customer needs evidence quickly, Type 1 may be a useful first step, provided the customer accepts it.
The process for how to get SOC 2 type 2 certification begins with an observation period, commonly three to twelve months, and ends with an independent examination. Type 2 does not depend on a Type 1 report first. Confirm your customer’s requirements before paying for either examination.
Fix the Everyday Security Gaps Before Anything Else
Linking security controls to everyday business activities helps make SOC 2 preparation easier to manage. Think of requiring multi-factor authentication for important accounts, establishing a documented employee offboarding process, and reviewing access permissions on a regular basis.
Engineering teams should retain evidence of production changes and approvals. Record risk assessments and relevant supplier reviews at the management level. Actual employee practice needs to be described in your policies. If nobody follows it, even a polished procedure provides limited value.
Organize Evidence Before It Becomes a Problem
Showing that relevant controls exist and, for Type 2, operate consistently is central to SOC 2 for saas companies. You might be asked for records showing when a former employee’s access was removed or whether a production deployment received appropriate approval.
Rebuilding these records months later is much harder than collecting them as activities occur. Small teams that need help can manage this work with CertAssist’s built-in controls, editable policy templates, evidence checklists, and document storage.
No direct integrations with company systems are required. Evidence is uploaded by the team, and auditors can be given read-only access.
Understand the Independent Audit Requirement
The outcome of SOC 2 is formally an attestation, not a certification. The examination is performed by a licensed CPA firm, which then issues the SOC 2 report. Compliance software can help prepare and organize evidence, but it cannot replace the independent auditor.
For the software, CertAssist offers a US$225 monthly promotional subscription that covers SOC 2, ISO 27001, and its other supported frameworks. Audit fees are separate. An auditor’s quote based on your business size, selected criteria, and intended reporting period is worth getting before budgeting.
Keep the Process Manageable After Your First Report
Completing a SOC 2 examination isn’t the end of your security efforts. Over time, employees join and leave, applications change, and new suppliers become part of your operations. It’s important that your controls stay 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 while supporting the security expectations of customers who depend on your software.
