Picture a startup with twelve people, a working SaaS product, and an expanding customer base. Nobody in the company has “compliance manager” in their job title, even though security matters. One day, a potential enterprise customer wants to see a SOC 2 report.
What exactly do you do first?
For founders researching how to get SOC 2 certification, the first step isn’t to collect dozens of policies straight away. What matters is to make a few decisions that define what your company needs to document, put in place, and prove.
Begin by Deciding Your Audit Scope
SOC 2 evaluates controls against the AICPA Trust Services Criteria. Security, Availability, Confidentiality, Processing Integrity, and Privacy are the areas they address. Security is mandatory. Include the remaining categories only when they are relevant to the organization’s services and commitments. If a startup is running a straightforward business application, beginning with Security alone can work, provided that scope meets customer expectations.
The applications, infrastructure, employees, and service providers involved should be mapped out before anyone starts collecting evidence. Making the scope overly broad adds additional work, but it doesn’t necessarily improve the report’s value.
Pick the Report Type Your Deadline Allows
People searching for how to get SOC 2 certified usually discover two reporting options. Type 1 looks at the design of controls at a specified date. Type 2 goes further, examining both design and operating effectiveness throughout a defined period. Type 1 may be a useful first step when an enterprise customer needs evidence fast, assuming the customer accepts it.
For businesses exploring how to get SOC 2 type 2 certification, the process includes an observation period, commonly three to twelve months, followed by an independent examination. You do not have to get Type 1 ahead of Type 2. Check your customer’s requirements before paying for either examination.
Fix Everyday Security Gaps First
If security controls are tied to ordinary business activities, SOC 2 preparation gets more manageable. Think of requiring multi-factor authentication for important accounts, setting up a documented employee offboarding process, and reviewing access permissions on a regular basis.
Evidence of production changes and approvals should be retained by developers. Record risk assessments and relevant supplier reviews at the leadership level. Actual employee practice needs to be reflected in your policies. When nobody follows it, even a beautifully written procedure offers limited value.
Gather Evidence as You Go
SOC 2 for saas companies involves demonstrating that relevant controls exist and, for Type 2, operate consistently. You might 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 reconstruct them months afterward. Small teams can organize 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. Auditors can be provided with read-only access, while teams upload evidence themselves.
Understand What the Independent Audit Involves
Technically, SOC 2 is an attestation rather than a certification. A licensed CPA firm conducts the examination and issues the SOC 2 report. Compliance software helps prepare and organize evidence, but it cannot replace the independent auditor.
A US$225 monthly promotional subscription that covers SOC 2, ISO 27001, and its other supported frameworks is advertised by CertAssist. Independent audit fees are not included. 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
Finishing a SOC 2 examination isn’t the end of your security efforts. Things keep changing: employees join and leave, applications change, and new suppliers arrive. Controls must remain 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 and helps meet the security expectations of customers who depend on your software.