Think of a startup with twelve employees, a functioning SaaS product, and an expanding customer base. Nobody at the company has “compliance manager” in their job title, but security is important. Soon, a prospective enterprise customer wants to see a SOC 2 report.
So where should you start?
If you’re a founder researching how to get SOC 2 certification, don’t grab dozens of policies immediately. Begin by making a few decisions that determine what your company needs to document, put in place, and prove.
Begin by Defining Your Audit Scope
The AICPA Trust Services Criteria serve as the standard that SOC 2 assesses controls against. These address Security, Availability, Confidentiality, Processing Integrity, and Privacy. Every report includes Security. Inclusion of the other categories depends on whether they’re relevant to the organization’s services and commitments. Provided that scope meets customer expectations, a startup offering a straightforward business application may begin with Security alone.
The applications, infrastructure, employees, and service providers involved should be identified before anyone starts collecting evidence. More scope means extra work, though not necessarily a more valuable report.
Choose the Report Type Your Deadline Allows
People searching for how to get SOC 2 certified often find two reporting options. Type 1 looks at the design of controls at a specified date. Over a defined period, Type 2 evaluates both the controls’ design and operating effectiveness. If an enterprise customer needs evidence fast, 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, commonly three to twelve months, followed by an independent examination. You don’t have to get Type 1 before Type 2. Check your customer’s requirements before paying for either examination.
Close the Everyday Security Gaps Before Anything Else
SOC 2 preparation gets more manageable when security controls are connected to ordinary business activities. Consider enforcing multi-factor authentication for important accounts, setting up a documented employee offboarding process, and reviewing access permissions on a regular basis.
Retain evidence of production changes and approvals inside the engineering team. Risk assessments and relevant supplier reviews should be recorded by management. What employees actually do must be described in your policies. A polished procedure provides limited value if nobody follows it.
Collect Evidence While Things Are Happening
SOC 2 for saas companies involves demonstrating that relevant controls exist and, for Type 2, operate consistently. You might be asked for records showing when a former employee’s access was removed or whether a production deployment received appropriate approval.
Gathering these records as activities occur is easier than reconstructing them months later. 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 the Independent Audit Requirement
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. Software can help prepare and organize evidence, yet it can’t replace the independent auditor.
A US$225 monthly promotional subscription that covers SOC 2, ISO 27001, and its other supported frameworks is offered by CertAssist. Independent audits are a separate cost. Before budgeting, request an auditor’s quote based on your business size, selected criteria, and intended reporting period.
Keep the Process Sustainable After Your First Report
A completed SOC 2 examination shouldn’t mark the end of your security efforts. Over time, people join and leave, applications change, and new suppliers join your operations. Your controls have to stay relevant.
Make sure each responsibility has a clear owner, evidence is retained throughout the year, and documented procedures are reviewed periodically against reality. That discipline helps make future examinations easier as a startup grows, while also supporting the security expectations of customers who depend on your software.
