Think of a startup with twelve people, a functioning SaaS product, and an expanding customer base. People take security seriously, but no one has “compliance manager” in their job title. Then a prospective enterprise customer requests a SOC 2 report.

What do you do next?

If you’re a founder researching how to get SOC 2 certification, resist the urge to download dozens of policies right away. 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 SOC 2 Audit

SOC 2 measures controls against the AICPA Trust Services Criteria. The criteria are organized into five areas: Security, Availability, Confidentiality, Processing Integrity, and Privacy. Every report must include Security. Inclusion of the other categories depends on whether they’re relevant to the organization’s services and commitments. As long as that scope meets customer expectations, a startup offering a straightforward business application may begin with Security alone.

Map out the applications, infrastructure, employees, and service providers involved prior to collecting evidence. An overly broad scope adds extra work without necessarily improving the report’s value.

Choose the Report That Matches Your Deadline

There are two reporting options for people researching how to get SOC 2 certified. Type 1 examines the design of controls as of a specified date. Type 2 goes further, evaluating design and operating effectiveness over a defined period. Type 1 may be a useful starting point when an enterprise customer needs evidence quickly, as long as the customer accepts it.

For businesses investigating how to get SOC 2 type 2 certification, the process includes an observation period, commonly three to twelve months, followed by an independent examination. Type 1 isn’t a mandatory prerequisite for Type 2. Before paying for either examination, confirm your customer’s requirements.

Fix Everyday Security Gaps First

When security controls are tied to ordinary business activities, SOC 2 preparation becomes more manageable. Think of requiring multi-factor authentication for important accounts, establishing a documented employee offboarding process, and reviewing 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. Draft policies so they describe what employees actually do. When nobody follows it, even a well-written procedure offers limited value.

Organize Evidence Before It Becomes a Problem

In practice, 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.

It’s much easier to collect these records as activities occur than to reconstruct them months afterward. CertAssist supports small teams manage this work with built-in controls, editable policy templates, evidence checklists, and document storage.

There’s no need for direct integrations with company systems. Evidence gets uploaded by the team, and auditors can be provided with read-only access.

Understand the Independent Audit Requirement

SOC 2 is formally an attestation, not a certification. The SOC 2 report is issued by a licensed CPA firm that conducts the examination. Nothing replaces the independent auditor, not even 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. Independent audit fees are billed separately. 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

Your security efforts should not end when the SOC 2 examination is done. Over time, people join and leave, applications change, and new suppliers join your operations. It matters that your controls stay relevant.

Make sure each responsibility has a clear owner, evidence is retained throughout the year, and documented procedures are reviewed periodically against reality. This discipline makes future examinations easier for a growing startup, and it supports the security expectations of customers who depend on your software.