Think of a startup that has twelve employees, a functioning SaaS product, and a growing customer base. Security matters, but no one carries “compliance manager” in their job title. Then a would-be enterprise customer requests a SOC 2 report.
Where do you begin?
Grabbing dozens of policies immediately is not the first step for founders researching how to get SOC 2 certification. Instead, start by making a few decisions that define what your company needs to document, put in place, and prove.
Start by Deciding What Your First Audit Will Cover
The AICPA Trust Services Criteria serve as the standard that SOC 2 evaluates controls against. Security, Availability, Confidentiality, Processing Integrity, and Privacy are the areas they address. Every report must include Security. The other areas are included when they are relevant to the organization’s services and commitments. A startup offering a straightforward business application may begin with Security alone, so long as that scope meets customer expectations.
List the applications, infrastructure, employees, and service providers involved before collecting evidence. A broader scope brings additional work, though not necessarily a more useful report.
Choose the SOC 2 Report Your Deadline Allows
People searching for how to get SOC 2 certified often discover two reporting options. The design of controls at a specified date is what Type 1 covers. Type 2 goes further, examining both design and operating effectiveness throughout a defined period. Where an enterprise customer needs evidence quickly, Type 1 may be a practical place to start, so long as the customer accepts it.
The process for how to get SOC 2 type 2 certification starts with an observation period, commonly three to twelve months, and ends with an independent examination. You do not have to finish Type 1 before Type 2. Before paying for either examination, verify your customer’s requirements.
Fix Everyday Security Gaps First
If security controls are linked to ordinary business activities, SOC 2 preparation gets more manageable. For instance, require multi-factor authentication for important accounts, establish a documented employee offboarding process, and review access permissions regularly.
Evidence of production changes and approvals should be kept by development teams. Leadership should record risk assessments and relevant supplier reviews. What employees actually do must be described in your policies. A beautifully written procedure has limited value if nobody follows it.
Organize Evidence Before It Becomes a Problem
SOC 2 for saas companies comes down to demonstrating that relevant controls exist and, for Type 2, operate consistently. Expect an auditor to ask about when a former employee’s access was removed or whether a production deployment received appropriate approval.
Collecting these records as activities occur is much easier than reconstructing them months later. Small teams that need help can organize this work with CertAssist’s built-in controls, editable policy templates, evidence checklists, and document storage.
No direct integrations with company systems are required. Evidence is uploaded by the team, and auditors can be given read-only access.
Understand the Independent Audit Requirement
SOC 2 is formally an attestation, not a certification. The examination is performed by a licensed CPA firm, which issues the SOC 2 report. Software can help prepare and organize evidence, yet it can’t replace the independent auditor.
CertAssist offers a US$225 monthly promotional subscription that includes SOC 2, ISO 27001, and its other supported frameworks. Audit fees are charged separately. An auditor’s quote reflecting your business size, selected criteria, and intended reporting period should come first.
Keep the Process Manageable After Your First Report
Security work shouldn’t stop once the SOC 2 examination is done. Things keep changing: people join and leave, applications change, and new suppliers appear. Your controls must stay relevant.
Assign clear responsibilities, retain evidence throughout the year, and periodically review whether your documented procedures match reality. That discipline helps make future examinations easier for a growing startup, while also supporting the security expectations of customers who depend on your software.
