Your startup counts twelve employees, a live SaaS product, and a steadily growing customer base. Nobody in the company holds “compliance manager” in their job title, even though security matters. A potential enterprise customer then asks for a SOC 2 report.
What should you do first?
For founders researching how to get SOC 2 certification, the answer isn’t to download dozens of policies immediately. Start by making a few choices that decide what your company needs to document, put in place, and prove.
Settle the Scope of Your First SOC 2 Audit
SOC 2 assesses controls against the AICPA Trust Services Criteria. These address Security, Availability, Confidentiality, Processing Integrity, and Privacy. Every SOC 2 report includes Security. Include the other categories only when they’re relevant to the organization’s services and commitments. As long as that scope meets customer expectations, a startup with a straightforward business application may start with Security alone.
The applications, infrastructure, employees, and service providers involved should be listed before anyone starts collecting evidence. A broader scope brings additional work, though not necessarily a more valuable report.
Choose the Report That Matches Your Deadline
There are two reporting options for people researching how to get SOC 2 certified. As of a specified date, Type 1 examines the design of controls. Type 2 evaluates those controls’ design and operating effectiveness over a defined period. If an enterprise customer needs evidence fast, Type 1 may be a useful first step, as long as the customer accepts it.
Businesses investigating how to get SOC 2 type 2 certification should expect an observation period, commonly three to twelve months, followed by an independent examination. Type 2 doesn’t require a Type 1 report first. Find out what your customer requires before paying for either examination.
Close the Everyday Security Gaps Before Anything Else
Connecting security controls to everyday business activities helps make SOC 2 preparation easier to manage. For example, 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 management level. Policies must reflect what employees actually do. A well-written procedure offers limited value if nobody follows it.
Organize Evidence Before It Becomes a Problem
SOC 2 for saas companies comes down to demonstrating that relevant controls exist and, for Type 2, operate consistently. You may be asked for records showing when a former employee’s access was removed or whether a production deployment received appropriate approval.
Collecting these records as activities occur is easier than reconstructing them months afterward. With built-in controls, editable policy templates, evidence checklists, and document storage, CertAssist helps small teams manage this work.
The platform does not require direct integrations with company systems. Teams upload evidence themselves and can give auditors read-only access.
Why You Still Need an Independent Auditor
Technically, SOC 2 is an attestation rather than a certification. The examination is conducted by a licensed CPA firm, which then issues the SOC 2 report. The independent auditor cannot be replaced by compliance software, though it helps prepare and organize evidence.
For the software, CertAssist offers a US$225 monthly promotional subscription covering SOC 2, ISO 27001, and its other supported frameworks. The independent audit is a separate expense. An auditor’s quote based on your business size, selected criteria, and intended reporting period is worth getting before budgeting.
Keep the Process Manageable After Your First Report
Your security work shouldn’t end once the SOC 2 examination is completed. People join and leave, applications change, and new suppliers become part of your operations. Your controls need to remain relevant.
Make sure responsibilities are clearly assigned, evidence is retained throughout the year, and documented procedures are reviewed regularly against reality. That discipline makes future examinations easier for a growing startup, while also supporting the security expectations of customers who depend on your software.