Imagine a startup that has twelve employees, a working SaaS product, and an expanding customer base. No one on the team holds “compliance manager” in their job title, but security matters. Soon, a prospective enterprise customer wants to see a SOC 2 report.
Where do you begin?
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, put in place, and prove.
Settle the Scope of Your First SOC 2 Audit
The AICPA Trust Services Criteria are what SOC 2 assesses controls against. There are five areas: Security, Availability, Confidentiality, Processing Integrity, and Privacy. Security is mandatory. The other categories are added when they’re relevant to the organization’s services and commitments. A startup offering a straightforward business application may begin with Security alone, as long as that scope meets customer expectations.
Before collecting evidence, map out the applications, infrastructure, employees, and service providers involved. A broader scope brings additional work, but not necessarily a more valuable report.
Pick the SOC 2 Report That Fits Your Timeline
People searching for how to get SOC 2 certified often learn about two reporting options. The design of controls at a specified date is what Type 1 examines. Type 2 evaluates those controls’ design and operating effectiveness across a defined period. Type 1 may be a useful starting point when an enterprise customer needs evidence fast, as long as the customer accepts it.
Businesses investigating how to get SOC 2 type 2 certification should expect an observation period, typically three to twelve months, followed by an independent examination. You don’t have to finish Type 1 before Type 2. Find out what your customer requires before you pay for either examination.
Fix Everyday Security Gaps First
SOC 2 preparation gets more manageable when security controls are tied to existing business activities. For example, require multi-factor authentication for important accounts, set up a documented employee offboarding process, and review access permissions regularly.
Retain evidence of production changes and approvals within the development team. Risk assessments and relevant supplier reviews should be recorded by management. Write policies that reflect what employees actually do. A beautifully written procedure offers limited value if nobody follows it.
Gather Evidence as You Go
In practice, SOC 2 for saas companies involves demonstrating that relevant controls exist and, for Type 2, operate consistently. Expect an auditor to ask when a former employee’s access was removed or whether a production deployment received appropriate approval.
It’s easier to gather these records as activities occur than to rebuild them months afterward. Through built-in controls, editable policy templates, evidence checklists, and document storage, CertAssist helps small teams organize this work.
The platform doesn’t require direct integrations with company systems. Teams add evidence themselves and can give auditors read-only access.
Why You Still Need an Independent Auditor
SOC 2 is formally an attestation, not a certification. A licensed CPA firm carries out the examination and issues the SOC 2 report. Compliance software can help prepare and organize evidence, but it cannot replace the independent auditor.
CertAssist offers a US$225 monthly promotional subscription that includes SOC 2, ISO 27001, and its other supported frameworks. Audit fees are charged separately. Before budgeting, request an auditor’s quote based on your business size, selected criteria, and intended reporting period.
Make Compliance Manageable After the First Report
A completed SOC 2 examination shouldn’t mark the end of your security efforts. Your operations keep changing: employees join and leave, applications change, and new suppliers appear. It matters that your controls stay relevant.
Set clear responsibilities, retain evidence throughout the year, and periodically 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.