Think of a startup that has twelve employees, a functioning SaaS product, and a growing customer base. People take security seriously, though nobody holds “compliance manager” as a job title. Then a would-be enterprise customer wants to see 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. Start by making a few decisions that decide what your company needs to document, put in place, and prove.
Decide What Your First Audit Should Cover
SOC 2 measures controls against the AICPA Trust Services Criteria. The criteria are organized into five areas: Security, Availability, Confidentiality, Processing Integrity, and Privacy. Only Security is mandatory. Include the remaining areas only when they are relevant to the organization’s services and commitments. As long as that scope meets customer expectations, a startup offering a straightforward business application may start with Security alone.
Identify the applications, infrastructure, employees, and service providers involved prior to collecting evidence. A needlessly broad scope creates extra work without necessarily increasing the report’s value.
Type 1 vs. Type 2? Let the Deadline Choose
There are two reporting options for people searching for how to get SOC 2 certified. Type 1 evaluates the design of controls at a specified date. Over a defined period, Type 2 evaluates both their design and operating effectiveness. Type 1 may be a useful starting point when an enterprise customer needs evidence quickly, provided the customer accepts it.
For businesses researching how to get SOC 2 type 2 certification, the process includes an observation period, typically three to twelve months, followed by an independent examination. You do not have to complete Type 1 ahead of Type 2. Find out what your customer requires before committing to either examination.
Begin With Everyday Security Basics
Tying security controls to ordinary business activities makes SOC 2 preparation more manageable. Think of enforcing multi-factor authentication for important accounts, establishing a documented employee offboarding process, and reviewing access permissions regularly.
Retain evidence of production changes and approvals within the development team. Document risk assessments and relevant supplier reviews at the leadership level. Draft policies so they describe what employees actually do. When nobody follows it, even a well-written procedure has limited value.
Collect Evidence as You Go
SOC 2 for saas companies means demonstrating that relevant controls exist and, for Type 2, operate consistently. An auditor might ask for records showing when a former employee’s access was removed or whether a production deployment received appropriate approval.
Collecting these records as activities occur is far easier than reconstructing them months afterward. CertAssist assists small teams organize this work using built-in controls, editable policy templates, evidence checklists, and document storage.
There’s no need for direct integrations with company systems. Teams add evidence themselves and can provide auditors with read-only access.
Why You Still Need an Independent Auditor
Strictly speaking, SOC 2 is an attestation rather than a certification. The SOC 2 report is issued by a licensed CPA firm that performs the examination. Nothing replaces the independent auditor, not even compliance software, which can help prepare and organize evidence.
CertAssist offers a US$225 monthly promotional subscription that covers SOC 2, ISO 27001, and its other supported frameworks. Audit fees are charged separately. Request an auditor’s quote that reflects your business size, selected criteria, and intended reporting period before budgeting.
Make the Process Manageable After Your First Report
Finishing a SOC 2 examination isn’t the end of your security work. Your operations keep changing: people join and leave, applications change, and new suppliers appear. Your controls have to remain relevant.
Make sure responsibilities are clearly assigned, evidence is retained throughout the year, and documented procedures are reviewed regularly against reality. That discipline makes future examinations easier as a startup grows, while also supporting the security expectations of customers who depend on your software.