Think of a startup that has twelve employees, a functioning SaaS product, and an expanding customer base. Security matters to everyone, yet nobody holds “compliance manager” in their job title. Then a would-be enterprise customer wants to see a SOC 2 report.
What should you do first?
If you’re a founder researching how to get SOC 2 certification, resist the urge to grab dozens of policies immediately. The better move is to make a few choices that define what your company needs to document, implement, and prove.
Decide What Your First SOC 2 Audit Should Cover
Your controls are evaluated using the AICPA Trust Services Criteria in a SOC 2 examination. The criteria cover Security, Availability, Confidentiality, Processing Integrity, and Privacy. Security is required. Include the other categories only when they’re relevant to the organization’s services and commitments. If a startup is running a straightforward business application, beginning with Security alone may work, provided that scope meets customer expectations.
Identify the applications, infrastructure, employees, and service providers involved prior to collecting evidence. Keeping the scope overly broad adds extra work, but it doesn’t necessarily improve the report’s usefulness.
Choose the Report That Matches Your Deadline
People searching for how to get SOC 2 certified often discover two reporting options. Type 1 examines the design of controls at a specified date. Throughout a defined period, Type 2 evaluates both the controls’ design and operating effectiveness. If an enterprise customer needs evidence in a hurry, Type 1 may be a useful first step, assuming the customer accepts it.
For businesses investigating how to get SOC 2 type 2 certification, the process includes an observation period, typically three to twelve months, followed by an independent examination. Type 1 isn’t a mandatory prerequisite for Type 2. Before paying for either examination, confirm your customer’s requirements.
Start With Everyday Security Gaps
When security controls are tied to everyday business activities, SOC 2 preparation becomes more manageable. For instance, 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 within the development team. Record risk assessments and relevant supplier reviews at the leadership level. Write policies so they describe what employees actually do. There is limited value in a polished procedure that nobody follows.
Collect Evidence While Things Are Happening
At its core, SOC 2 for saas companies means demonstrating that relevant controls exist and, for Type 2, operate consistently. An auditor could ask for records showing when a former employee’s access was removed or whether a production deployment received appropriate approval.
Reconstructing these records months later is far harder than gathering them as activities occur. CertAssist assists small teams structure this work through built-in controls, editable policy templates, evidence checklists, and document storage.
The platform doesn’t require direct integrations with company systems. Evidence gets uploaded by the team, and auditors can be provided with read-only access.
Understand the Independent Audit Requirement
Technically, SOC 2 is an attestation rather than a certification. A licensed CPA firm conducts the examination and issues the SOC 2 report. Compliance software helps prepare and organize evidence, but it cannot replace the independent auditor.
CertAssist offers a US$225 monthly promotional subscription that covers SOC 2, ISO 27001, and its other supported frameworks. Fees for the independent audit are separate. An auditor’s quote reflecting your business size, selected criteria, and intended reporting period is worth getting before budgeting.
Keep the Process Manageable After Your First Report
A completed SOC 2 examination shouldn’t mark the end of your security efforts. Over time, employees join and leave, applications change, and new suppliers become part of your operations. It matters that your controls remain relevant.
Make sure each responsibility has a clear owner, evidence is retained throughout the year, and documented procedures are reviewed regularly against reality. As your startup grows, keeping this up makes future examinations easier and supports the security expectations of customers who depend on your software.