Think of a startup with twelve employees, a functioning SaaS product, and an expanding customer base. Security matters, but nobody holds “compliance manager” in their job title. A prospective enterprise customer then requests a SOC 2 report.

So where should you start?

If you’re a founder researching how to get SOC 2 certification, resist the urge to download dozens of policies right away. Instead, start by making a few decisions that decide what your company needs to document, put in place, and prove.

Decide What Your First SOC 2 Audit Should Cover

SOC 2 assesses controls against the AICPA Trust Services Criteria. Security, Availability, Confidentiality, Processing Integrity, and Privacy are the categories they address. Among them, only Security is required. Include the other categories only when they’re relevant to the organization’s services and commitments. If a startup is offering a straightforward business application, starting with Security alone may work, provided that scope meets customer expectations.

Before collecting evidence, map out the applications, infrastructure, employees, and service providers involved. More scope means extra work, though not always a more valuable report.

Choose the Report Type That Fits Your Timeline

People searching for how to get SOC 2 certified often discover two reporting options. At a specified date, Type 1 examines the design of controls. Type 2 covers those controls’ design and operating effectiveness throughout a defined period. When an enterprise customer needs evidence fast, Type 1 can be a practical place to start, so long as the customer accepts it.

For businesses researching 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. Find out what your customer requires before you pay for either examination.

Fix Everyday Security Gaps First

SOC 2 preparation is more manageable when security controls are linked to everyday business activities. Good first steps include enforcing multi-factor authentication for important accounts, establishing a documented employee offboarding process, and reviewing access permissions on a regular basis.

Developers should hold on to evidence of production changes and approvals. Company leadership should document risk assessments and relevant supplier reviews. Policies must describe what employees actually do. A well-written procedure offers limited value if nobody follows it.

Get Your Evidence Organized Before Problems Start

Showing that relevant controls exist and, for Type 2, operate consistently is what lies at the core of SOC 2 for saas companies. Expect an auditor to ask when a former employee’s access was removed or whether a production deployment received appropriate approval.

Rebuilding these records months later is much harder than collecting them as activities occur. CertAssist assists small teams manage this work with built-in controls, editable policy templates, evidence checklists, and document storage.

No direct integrations with company systems are required. Evidence gets uploaded by the team, and auditors can be provided with read-only access.

Understand the Independent Audit Requirement

The outcome of SOC 2 is formally an attestation, not a certification. The examination is conducted by a licensed CPA firm, which then issues the SOC 2 report. Nothing replaces the independent auditor, not even compliance software, though it can help prepare and organize evidence.

A US$225 monthly promotional subscription covering SOC 2, ISO 27001, and its other supported frameworks is offered by CertAssist. Audit fees are charged separately. Request an auditor’s quote based on your business size, selected criteria, and intended reporting period before budgeting.

What Happens After the First SOC 2 Report

A completed SOC 2 examination shouldn’t mark the end of your security efforts. Things keep changing: employees join and leave, applications change, and new suppliers arrive. Your controls need to remain relevant.

Three habits help: assigning clear responsibilities, retaining evidence throughout the year, and periodically reviewing whether your documented procedures match reality. This discipline makes future examinations easier as a startup grows, while also supporting the security expectations of customers who depend on your software.