With twelve employees, a functioning SaaS product, and a growing customer base, your startup is moving in the right direction. Nobody in the company holds “compliance manager” in their job title, but security is important. A potential enterprise customer next requests a SOC 2 report.
So where should you start?
For founders researching how to get SOC 2 certification, the answer isn’t to download dozens of policies immediately. The better move is to make a few choices that determine what your company needs to document, implement, and prove.
Decide What Your First SOC 2 Audit Should Cover
The AICPA Trust Services Criteria serve as the standard that SOC 2 evaluates controls against. The criteria address Security, Availability, Confidentiality, Processing Integrity, and Privacy. Security is required. Add the other categories only when they are relevant to the organization’s services and commitments. A startup running 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 brings additional work without necessarily increasing the report’s usefulness.
Pick the Report Type Your Deadline Allows
People searching for how to get SOC 2 certified frequently learn about two reporting options. As of a specified date, Type 1 examines the design of controls. Throughout a defined period, Type 2 evaluates both the controls’ design and operating effectiveness. Where an enterprise customer needs evidence fast, Type 1 may be a useful place to start, so long as 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 1 is not a mandatory prerequisite for Type 2. Before paying for either examination, check your customer’s requirements.
Fix Everyday Security Gaps First
SOC 2 preparation becomes more manageable when security controls are tied to everyday business activities. Good first steps include enforcing multi-factor authentication for important accounts, establishing a documented employee offboarding process, and reviewing access permissions regularly.
Evidence of production changes and approvals should be kept by developers. Company leadership should record risk assessments and relevant supplier reviews. Write policies that reflect what employees actually do. A well-written procedure provides limited value if nobody follows it.
Organize Evidence Before It Becomes a Problem
Demonstrating that relevant controls exist and, for Type 2, operate consistently is the heart of SOC 2 for saas companies. Expect an auditor to ask about 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 reconstruct them months afterward. 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. Teams upload evidence themselves and can provide auditors with read-only access.
Why You Still Need an Independent Auditor
The outcome of SOC 2 is technically an attestation, not a certification. The examination is performed by a licensed CPA firm, which then issues the SOC 2 report. Compliance software helps 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 separate. A quote from an auditor reflecting your business size, selected criteria, and intended reporting period is worth getting before budgeting.
Keep the Process Manageable After Your First Report
Your security activities should not end once the SOC 2 examination is done. Your operations keep changing: people join and leave, applications change, and new suppliers appear. It’s important that your controls 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 while supporting the security expectations of customers who depend on your software.