Picture a startup with twelve people, a working SaaS product, and an expanding customer base. Security matters, but not one person holds “compliance manager” in their job title. A potential enterprise customer next asks for 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 decisions decides what your company needs to document, put in place, and prove, and that is where to start.
Decide What Your First Audit Should Cover
The AICPA Trust Services Criteria are what SOC 2 assesses controls against. The criteria are organized into five areas: Security, Availability, Confidentiality, Processing Integrity, and Privacy. Every SOC 2 report must include Security. The other areas are included when they’re relevant to the organization’s services and commitments. If a startup is running a straightforward business application, starting with Security alone may work, provided that scope meets customer expectations.
Before you collect any evidence, map out the applications, infrastructure, employees, and service providers involved. A needlessly broad scope brings additional work without necessarily improving the report’s usefulness.
Type 1 vs. Type 2? Let the Deadline Decide
People searching for how to get SOC 2 certified often learn about two reporting options. As of a specified date, Type 1 examines the design of controls. Over a defined period, Type 2 examines both the controls’ design and operating effectiveness. Type 1 may be a useful first step when an enterprise customer needs evidence quickly, provided the customer accepts it.
Anyone exploring how to get SOC 2 type 2 certification should expect an observation period, commonly three to twelve months, followed by an independent examination. Type 2 doesn’t require completing Type 1 first. Check your customer’s requirements before paying for either examination.
Fix Everyday Security Gaps First
SOC 2 preparation is more manageable when security controls are tied to everyday business activities. For instance, require 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 within the development team. Record risk assessments and relevant supplier reviews at the leadership level. What employees actually do needs to be described in the policies. When nobody follows it, even a well-written procedure has limited value.
Gather Evidence as You Go
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.
Rebuilding these records months later is harder than collecting them as activities occur. With built-in controls, editable policy templates, evidence checklists, and document storage, CertAssist supports small teams manage this work.
There’s no need for direct integrations with company systems. Teams upload evidence themselves and can give auditors read-only access.
Understand Exactly What the Independent Audit Involves
Strictly speaking, SOC 2 is an attestation rather than a certification. The SOC 2 report is issued by a licensed CPA firm that conducts the examination. Nothing replaces the independent auditor, not even compliance software, which helps prepare and organize evidence.
A monthly promotional subscription of US$225 covering SOC 2, ISO 27001, and its other supported frameworks is offered by CertAssist. The independent audit is a separate cost. An auditor’s quote reflecting your business size, selected criteria, and intended reporting period should come first.
What Happens After the First SOC 2 Report
Your security activities shouldn’t end when the SOC 2 examination is completed. Things keep changing: employees join and leave, applications change, and new suppliers arrive. Your controls need to remain relevant.
Make sure responsibilities are clearly assigned, evidence is retained throughout the year, and documented procedures are reviewed regularly against reality. For a growing startup, that discipline makes future examinations easier and supports the security expectations of customers who depend on your software.