Imagine a startup with twelve employees, a working SaaS product, and an expanding customer base. Security matters, but not one person carries “compliance manager” in their job title. One day, a potential enterprise customer requests a SOC 2 report.
So where do you begin?
For founders researching how to get SOC 2 certification, the first step is not to collect dozens of policies straight away. A handful of decisions decides what your company needs to document, implement, and prove, and that is where to start.
Define the Scope of Your First Audit
SOC 2 assesses controls against the AICPA Trust Services Criteria. The criteria address Security, Availability, Confidentiality, Processing Integrity, and Privacy. Every SOC 2 report must include Security. Include the remaining areas only when they’re relevant to the organization’s services and commitments. Provided that scope meets customer expectations, a startup running a straightforward business application may start with Security alone.
Before you collect any evidence, identify the applications, infrastructure, employees, and service providers involved. A broader scope brings extra work, though not necessarily a more valuable report.
Choose the Report That Matches Your Deadline
People searching for how to get SOC 2 certified often discover two reporting options. Type 1 evaluates the design of controls at a specified date. Type 2 examines their design and operating effectiveness across a defined period. If an enterprise customer needs evidence in a hurry, Type 1 may be a useful first step, as long as the customer accepts it.
The process for how to get SOC 2 type 2 certification starts with an observation period, typically three to twelve months, and ends with an independent examination. Type 2 doesn’t require completing Type 1 first. Check your customer’s requirements before paying for either examination.
Start With Everyday Security Gaps
If security controls are tied to ordinary business activities, SOC 2 preparation gets more manageable. Consider requiring multi-factor authentication for important accounts, establishing a documented employee offboarding process, and reviewing access permissions on a regular basis.
Evidence of production changes and approvals should be kept by development teams. Document risk assessments and relevant supplier reviews at the management level. Policies must reflect what employees actually do. There is limited value in a beautifully written procedure that nobody follows.
Collect Evidence as You Go
SOC 2 for saas companies involves demonstrating that relevant controls exist and, for Type 2, operate consistently. You could be asked for records showing when a former employee’s access was removed or whether a production deployment received appropriate approval.
It’s much easier to gather these records as activities occur than to rebuild them months afterward. With built-in controls, editable policy templates, evidence checklists, and document storage, CertAssist supports small teams organize this work.
The platform doesn’t require direct integrations with company systems. Teams upload evidence themselves and can give auditors read-only access.
Understand Exactly What the Independent Audit Requires
The outcome of SOC 2 is formally an attestation, not a certification. A licensed CPA firm carries out the examination and issues the SOC 2 report. The independent auditor cannot be replaced by compliance software, though it helps prepare and organize evidence.
A monthly promotional subscription of US$225 covering SOC 2, ISO 27001, and its other supported frameworks is advertised by CertAssist. Independent audit fees are separate. Before budgeting, request an auditor’s quote based on your business size, selected criteria, and intended reporting period.
Keep the Process Manageable After Your First Report
Security work shouldn’t stop when the SOC 2 examination is done. People join and leave, applications change, and new suppliers become part of your operations. Controls have to remain relevant.
Make sure each responsibility has a clear owner, evidence is retained throughout the year, and documented procedures are reviewed periodically against reality. For a growing startup, that discipline makes future examinations easier while supporting the security expectations of customers who depend on your software.