Picture a startup that has twelve employees, a working SaaS product, and an expanding customer base. Security matters, but no one holds “compliance manager” in their job title. A potential enterprise customer next requests a SOC 2 report.
Where do you start?
For founders researching how to get SOC 2 certification, the answer isn’t to download dozens of policies immediately. A handful of decisions determines what your company needs to document, implement, and prove, and that is where to start.
Define the Scope of Your First Audit
Your controls are assessed against the AICPA Trust Services Criteria in a SOC 2 examination. There are five categories: Security, Availability, Confidentiality, Processing Integrity, and Privacy. Only Security is mandatory. Include the remaining 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, as long as that scope meets customer expectations.
Identify the applications, infrastructure, employees, and service providers involved before collecting evidence. More scope means additional work, but not necessarily a more valuable report.
Choose the Report Type That Fits Your Timeline
People searching for how to get SOC 2 certified frequently learn about two reporting options. The design of controls as of a specified date is what Type 1 evaluates. Over a defined period, Type 2 evaluates both their design and operating effectiveness. If an enterprise customer needs evidence in a hurry, Type 1 may be a useful starting point, assuming the customer accepts it.
The process for how to get SOC 2 type 2 certification begins with an observation period, typically three to twelve months, and ends with an independent examination. Type 1 isn’t a mandatory prerequisite for Type 2. Before paying for either examination, verify your customer’s requirements.
Tackle the Day-to-Day Security Gaps First
SOC 2 preparation gets more manageable when security controls are connected to existing business activities. For instance, require multi-factor authentication for important accounts, create a documented employee offboarding process, and review access permissions on a regular basis.
Development teams should keep evidence of production changes and approvals. Risk assessments and relevant supplier reviews should be documented by management. Policies must reflect what employees actually do. There is limited value in a beautifully written procedure that nobody follows.
Organize Evidence Before It Becomes a Problem
At its core, SOC 2 for saas companies means demonstrating that relevant controls exist and, for Type 2, operate consistently. An auditor may request records showing when a former employee’s access was removed or whether a production deployment received appropriate approval.
Reconstructing these records months later is far harder than collecting them as activities occur. Small teams can organize this work with CertAssist’s built-in controls, editable policy templates, evidence checklists, and document storage.
Direct integrations with company systems aren’t required. Evidence gets uploaded by the team, and auditors can be provided with read-only access.
Why SOC 2 Requires 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. Nothing replaces the independent auditor, not even compliance software, though it can help prepare and organize evidence.
A monthly promotional subscription of US$225 that covers SOC 2, ISO 27001, and its other supported frameworks is offered by CertAssist. Independent audits are a separate cost. Before budgeting, ask for 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 once the SOC 2 examination is completed. As time passes, people join and leave, applications change, and new suppliers join 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 periodically against reality. That discipline makes future examinations easier as a startup grows, and it supports the security expectations of customers who depend on your software.