SOC 2 Guides
Everything you need to know about SOC 2 compliance, from basics to certification.
What is SOC 2?
If you're growing a SaaS business and starting to pursue enterprise customers, you've likely encountered requests for a SOC 2 report. This guide walks through what SOC 2 actually is, when it makes sense for your organization, and how to approach the process thoughtfully.
SOC 2 Trust Services Criteria: A Complete Guide
The Trust Services Criteria (TSC) form the foundation of every SOC 2 audit. Developed by the AICPA, these criteria define the control objectives organizations work toward. Understanding each criterion can help you scope your audit appropriately and implement controls that genuinely support your security posture.
SOC 2 Type 1 vs Type 2: Understanding Your Options
When organizations ask about your SOC 2 compliance, they're typically interested in Type 2. Understanding the difference between the two report types can help you make the right choice for your situation.
SOC 2 Compliance Checklist: Your Complete Guide
This comprehensive checklist covers everything you need to prepare for a successful SOC 2 audit. Use it to track your progress from initial planning through audit completion.
How Long Does SOC 2 Take?
One of the most common questions from organizations considering SOC 2: "What's the timeline, and what does the process involve?"
SOC 2 Costs: Understanding Your Investment
Understanding what SOC 2 actually costs, and what drives the price, can help you plan appropriately and avoid surprises. The investment varies based on several factors, but knowing the components helps you evaluate options effectively.
Who Can Perform a SOC 2 Audit?
Understanding who can conduct your SOC 2 audit and how to choose the right auditor is crucial for a successful compliance journey.
SOC 2 for Startups: A Practical Guide
If you're running a startup and enterprise customers are starting to ask about your SOC 2 report, you're in good company. This guide covers what startups specifically need to know about pursuing SOC 2.
SOC 2 vs ISO 27001: Which One Do You Need?
This is the most common question we get: "Should we do SOC 2 or ISO 27001?"
SOC 1 vs SOC 2 vs SOC 3: Complete Comparison Guide
The "SOC" family of reports can be confusing. This guide explains the differences between SOC 1, SOC 2, and SOC 3, helping you understand which report your organization needs.
Essential SOC 2 Policies: What You Need and Why
Policies are the foundation of your SOC 2 compliance program. They document your organization's commitment to security and define how controls are implemented. This guide covers every policy you need for SOC 2 and how to create them effectively.
SOC 2 Evidence Collection: The Complete Guide
Evidence is the backbone of your SOC 2 audit. Without proper evidence, you can't demonstrate that your controls are designed and operating effectively. This guide covers what evidence you need, how to collect it, and best practices for evidence management.
Maintaining SOC 2 Compliance Year Over Year
Achieving SOC 2 is just the beginning. Maintaining compliance year after year requires ongoing effort, but it doesn't have to be painful. This guide covers how to sustain your SOC 2 program efficiently.
SOC 2 vs HIPAA: Which Does Your Healthcare SaaS Need?
If you're building software that handles health data, you've likely been asked about both SOC 2 and HIPAA. Understanding the difference is crucial. They serve different purposes and one doesn't replace the other.
How to Define Your SOC 2 Audit Scope
Defining the right scope for your SOC 2 audit is one of the most important decisions you'll make in the process. Getting it right helps ensure you demonstrate the security that matters to your customers while avoiding unnecessary complexity and cost.
Understanding Your SOC 2 Report
Once your SOC 2 audit is complete, you'll receive a formal report from your auditor. Understanding what's in this report, and how to interpret it, helps you use it effectively with customers and stakeholders.
SOC 2 Bridge Letters: What They Are and When You Need One
If your SOC 2 report is approaching its anniversary and you're waiting for your next audit to complete, a bridge letter can help maintain continuity with customers. This guide explains what bridge letters are, when to use them, and how to obtain one.
SOC 2 Readiness Assessment: Evaluating Your Starting Point
Before beginning your SOC 2 journey, understanding where you stand today helps set realistic expectations and identify the work ahead. A readiness assessment evaluates your current security posture against SOC 2 requirements.
Common SOC 2 Audit Exceptions and How to Address Them
Even well-prepared organizations sometimes receive exceptions in their SOC 2 reports. Understanding common exceptions, and how to prevent them, helps you approach your audit with confidence.
SOC 2 vs GDPR: Understanding the Overlap and Differences
If your organization operates in Europe or handles data of EU residents, you may need to think about both SOC 2 and GDPR. While they have different origins and purposes, there's meaningful overlap that can help you address both efficiently.
Common Questions About SOC 2
Quick answers to the most frequently asked questions about SOC 2 compliance.
SOC 2 is an audit report (not a certification) issued by a licensed CPA firm validating your security controls. It's widely adopted in North America, particularly within the SaaS industry, and helps build trust with enterprise customers by demonstrating your commitment to data security and privacy.
SOC 2 Type 2 takes 4.5-6 months total from kickoff to final report. This includes 6-8 weeks for implementation and a minimum 3-month observation period (industry standard for first-time reports). Your time investment is approximately 15-20 hours total.
SOC 2 costs approximately EUR 10,000-15,000 all-in for Year 1, including the compliance platform, audit coordination with independent auditor partners, penetration testing, and security tools. This investment typically pays for itself with one enterprise deal worth EUR 50,000-200,000+ ARR.
Type 1 is a point-in-time assessment that proves controls exist at a specific date, while Type 2 evaluates controls over an observation period (minimum 3 months for first-time reports) to validate they work consistently. Enterprise customers expect Type 2. Type 1 is rarely accepted as sufficient. We recommend going straight to Type 2.
SOC 2 evaluates organizations against five Trust Services Criteria: Security (required), Availability (for SLAs), Privacy (for PII), Processing Integrity (for financial transactions), and Confidentiality (for trade secrets). Most SaaS companies need Security + Availability.
SaaS companies selling to enterprises, especially those with 500+ employees, typically need SOC 2. Start now if enterprise customers are requesting it, you're losing deals to compliant competitors, or security questionnaires consume 5+ hours per prospect.
Penetration testing is not strictly required by AICPA standards, but it's strongly recommended and expected by most enterprise customers. Security questionnaires typically ask for pen test results regardless of your SOC 2 status, making it a practical necessity.
No, SOC 2 is an attestation, not a certification. A CPA firm examines your controls and issues a report stating whether your controls meet the Trust Services Criteria. Unlike ISO 27001, there's no certificate to display.
Technically forever, but practically 12 months. Customers expect an annual report, and after 12 months your report is considered stale. You'll need to renew annually to maintain credibility.
Yes, but it adds 200+ hours of manual work for evidence collection, policy writing, and control tracking. A compliance platform automates evidence collection, provides policy templates, and streamlines the audit process significantly.
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