Picture a startup with twelve people, a working SaaS product, and a growing customer base. Nobody on the team has “compliance manager” in their job title, but security is important. Then a prospective enterprise customer wants to see a SOC 2 report.
So, where should you start?
Downloading dozens of policies immediately isn’t the first step for founders researching how to get SOC 2 certification. Begin by making a few choices that define what your company needs to document, put in place, and prove.
Decide What Your First SOC 2 Audit Should Cover
SOC 2 measures controls against the AICPA Trust Services Criteria. There are five categories: Security, Availability, Confidentiality, Processing Integrity, and Privacy. Security is mandatory. The other categories are included when they are relevant to the organization’s services and commitments. For a startup offering a straightforward business application, beginning with Security alone may be enough, provided that scope meets customer expectations.
The applications, infrastructure, employees, and service providers involved should be mapped out before collecting evidence. An overly broad scope brings additional work without necessarily increasing the report’s usefulness.
Choose the Report That Matches Your Deadline
Anyone wondering how to get SOC 2 certified soon runs into two reporting options. The design of controls at a specified date is what Type 1 covers. Type 2 covers those controls’ design and operating effectiveness over a defined period. Type 1 may be a useful starting point when an enterprise customer needs evidence fast, provided the customer accepts it.
Anyone exploring how to get SOC 2 type 2 certification should expect an observation period, commonly three to twelve months, followed by an independent examination. Type 1 isn’t a mandatory prerequisite for Type 2. Check your customer’s requirements before paying 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 requiring multi-factor authentication for important accounts, creating a documented employee offboarding process, and reviewing access permissions regularly.
Development teams should keep evidence of production changes and approvals. Record risk assessments and relevant supplier reviews at the leadership level. Policies must describe what employees actually do. If nobody follows it, even a well-written procedure offers limited value.
Organize Evidence Before It Becomes a Problem
SOC 2 for saas companies involves demonstrating that relevant controls exist and, for Type 2, operate consistently. You could be asked for 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 gathering them as activities occur. With built-in controls, editable policy templates, evidence checklists, and document storage, CertAssist helps small teams organize this work.
No direct integrations with company systems are required. Evidence is uploaded by the team, and auditors can be given read-only access.
Why You Still Need an Independent Auditor
What SOC 2 produces is formally an attestation, not a certification. A licensed CPA firm performs the examination and issues the SOC 2 report. The independent auditor cannot be replaced by compliance software, though it helps prepare and organize evidence.
On the software side, CertAssist advertises a US$225 monthly promotional subscription that covers SOC 2, ISO 27001, and its other supported frameworks. Audit fees are separate. Before budgeting, get an auditor’s quote based on your business size, selected criteria, and intended reporting period.
Keep the Process Manageable After Your First Report
Completing a SOC 2 examination isn’t the end of your security work. Your operations keep changing: employees join and leave, applications change, and new suppliers arrive. Your controls must stay relevant.
Assign clear responsibilities, retain evidence throughout the year, and periodically review whether your documented procedures match reality. That discipline makes future examinations easier as a startup grows, while also supporting the security expectations of customers who depend on your software.
