Imagine a startup with twelve people, a functioning SaaS product, and a growing customer base. Security matters, but no one has “compliance manager” in their job title. Then a prospective enterprise customer asks for a SOC 2 report.
So, where should you start?
For founders researching how to get SOC 2 certification, the first step isn’t to collect dozens of policies right away. The better move is to make a few decisions that decide what your company needs to document, put in place, and prove.
Settle the Scope of Your First SOC 2 Audit
Controls are evaluated against the AICPA Trust Services Criteria in a SOC 2 examination. The criteria address Security, Availability, Confidentiality, Processing Integrity, and Privacy. Every SOC 2 report includes Security. Add the remaining categories only when they are relevant to the organization’s services and commitments. A startup offering a straightforward business application may begin with Security alone, provided that scope meets customer expectations.
Identify the applications, infrastructure, employees, and service providers involved before collecting evidence. Making the scope unnecessarily broad adds extra work, but it doesn’t necessarily increase the report’s usefulness.
Pick the Report Type That Fits Your Timeline
People searching for how to get SOC 2 certified frequently find two reporting options. The design of controls at a specified date is what Type 1 examines. Type 2 examines those controls’ design and operating effectiveness over a defined period. If an enterprise customer needs evidence fast, Type 1 may be a useful starting point, assuming the customer accepts it.
For businesses investigating how to get SOC 2 type 2 certification, the process includes an observation period, commonly three to twelve months, followed by an independent examination. Type 2 does not require completing Type 1 first. Before paying for either examination, check your customer’s requirements.
Begin With Day-to-Day Security Basics
SOC 2 preparation is more manageable when security controls are connected to ordinary business activities. Good first steps include enforcing multi-factor authentication for important accounts, setting up a documented employee offboarding process, and reviewing access permissions on a regular basis.
Developers should keep evidence of production changes and approvals. Leadership should document risk assessments and relevant supplier reviews. Policies must describe what employees actually do. If nobody follows it, even a polished procedure offers limited value.
Get Your Evidence Organized Before Problems Start
At its core, 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 gathering 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.
The platform doesn’t require direct integrations with company systems. Evidence is uploaded by the team, and auditors can be provided with read-only access.
Know Exactly What the Independent Audit Involves
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, yet it can’t replace the independent auditor.
A monthly promotional subscription of US$225 covering SOC 2, ISO 27001, and its other supported frameworks is advertised by CertAssist. Independent audits are a separate expense. Get an auditor’s quote based on your business size, selected criteria, and intended reporting period before budgeting.
Keep the Process Manageable After Your First Report
Security work shouldn’t stop once the SOC 2 examination is done. Your operations keep changing: employees join and leave, applications change, and new suppliers appear. It matters that your controls stay relevant.
Define 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 while supporting the security expectations of customers who depend on your software.