With twelve people, a functioning SaaS product, and an expanding customer base, your startup is moving in the right direction. Security matters, but nobody carries “compliance manager” in their job title. Then, a potential enterprise customer requests a SOC 2 report.
So, where do you start?
For founders researching how to get SOC 2 certification, the answer isn’t to download dozens of policies immediately. What matters is to make a few choices that define what your company needs to document, implement, and prove.
Start by Defining What Your First Audit Will Cover
The AICPA Trust Services Criteria serve as the standard that SOC 2 assesses controls against. The criteria are organized into five categories: Security, Availability, Confidentiality, Processing Integrity, and Privacy. Every report must include Security. Include the remaining categories only when they’re relevant to the organization’s services and commitments. A startup with a straightforward business application may start with Security alone, so long as that scope meets customer expectations.
The applications, infrastructure, employees, and service providers involved should be listed before collecting evidence. An unnecessarily broad scope adds extra work without necessarily improving the report’s value.
Type 1 vs. Type 2? Let the Deadline Decide
There are two reporting options for anyone researching how to get SOC 2 certified. The design of controls at a specified date is what Type 1 evaluates. Type 2 evaluates their design and operating effectiveness over a defined period. If an enterprise customer needs evidence quickly, 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. You don’t have to finish Type 1 ahead of Type 2. Before paying for either examination, check your customer’s requirements.
Begin With Everyday Security Gaps
If security controls are tied to everyday business activities, SOC 2 preparation becomes more manageable. Think of enforcing multi-factor authentication for important accounts, setting up a documented employee offboarding process, and reviewing access permissions regularly.
Evidence of production changes and approvals should be retained by developers. Risk assessments and relevant supplier reviews should be recorded by leadership. Actual employee practice needs to be reflected in your policies. There is limited value in a well-written procedure that no one follows.
Keep Your Evidence Organized Before the Auditor Asks
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.
It’s easier to collect these records as activities occur than to rebuild them months later. CertAssist assists small teams organize this work using built-in controls, editable policy templates, evidence checklists, and document storage.
There is no need for direct integrations with company systems. Auditors can be provided with 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 performed by a licensed CPA firm, which issues the SOC 2 report. Compliance software can help prepare and organize evidence, but it cannot replace the independent auditor.
CertAssist advertises a US$225 monthly promotional subscription covering SOC 2, ISO 27001, and its other supported frameworks. Independent audit fees are not included. Get an auditor’s quote that reflects your business size, selected criteria, and intended reporting period before you set a budget.
Keep the Process Manageable After Your First Report
A completed SOC 2 examination shouldn’t mark the end of your security activities. Your operations keep changing: employees join and leave, applications change, and new suppliers appear. Your controls need to stay relevant.
Assign clear responsibilities, retain evidence throughout the year, and regularly review whether your documented procedures match reality. For a growing startup, that discipline makes future examinations easier and supports the security expectations of customers who depend on your software.
