With twelve team members, a working SaaS product, and an expanding customer base, your startup is well on its way. People take security seriously, yet nobody has “compliance manager” in their job title. A potential enterprise customer then requests a SOC 2 report.
So where do you start?
For founders researching how to get SOC 2 certification, the answer is not to grab dozens of policies immediately. Instead, start by making a few choices that decide what your company needs to document, put in place, and prove.
Decide What Your First SOC 2 Audit Should Cover
The AICPA Trust Services Criteria are what SOC 2 evaluates controls against. The criteria are organized into five areas: Security, Availability, Confidentiality, Processing Integrity, and Privacy. Every SOC 2 report includes Security. 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 offering a straightforward business application may start with Security alone.
List the applications, infrastructure, employees, and service providers involved prior to collecting evidence. Making the scope overly broad creates additional work, and it doesn’t necessarily improve the report’s value.
Type 1 vs. Type 2? Let the Deadline Choose
There are two reporting options for anyone searching for how to get SOC 2 certified. The design of controls as of a specified date is what Type 1 evaluates. Type 2 goes further, evaluating both design and operating effectiveness throughout a defined period. If an enterprise customer needs evidence in a hurry, Type 1 may be a useful starting point, provided the customer accepts it.
The process for how to get SOC 2 type 2 certification starts with an observation period, typically three to twelve months, and ends with an independent examination. Type 2 does not depend on completing Type 1 first. Before paying for either examination, confirm your customer’s requirements.
Fix Everyday Security Gaps First
SOC 2 preparation is more manageable when security controls are tied to ordinary business activities. For instance, enforce multi-factor authentication for important accounts, set up a documented employee offboarding process, and review access permissions regularly.
Development teams should retain evidence of production changes and approvals. Document risk assessments and relevant supplier reviews at the management level. Write policies that describe what employees actually do. There is limited value in a polished procedure that nobody follows.
Gather Evidence as You Go
SOC 2 for saas companies involves 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.
It’s easier to collect these records as activities occur than to reconstruct them months later. CertAssist helps small teams structure this work through built-in controls, editable policy templates, evidence checklists, and document storage.
The platform does not require direct integrations with company systems. Auditors can be given read-only access, while teams upload evidence themselves.
Understand the Independent Audit Requirement
SOC 2 is formally an attestation, not a certification. The examination is conducted 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 advertises a US$225 monthly promotional subscription covering SOC 2, ISO 27001, and its other supported frameworks. The independent audit is a separate cost. Before budgeting, get an auditor’s quote based on your business size, selected criteria, and intended reporting period.
Keep the Process Manageable After Your First Report
Security work shouldn’t stop once the SOC 2 examination is completed. Things keep changing: employees join and leave, applications change, and new suppliers appear. Controls must remain relevant.
Three habits keep things on track: assigning clear responsibilities, retaining evidence throughout the year, and periodically reviewing whether your documented procedures match reality. This discipline makes future examinations easier for a growing startup, and it supports the security expectations of customers who depend on your software.