Getting Ready for SOC 2 Audit: Where to Start?

Practical SOC 2 expert tips on how to prepare for a SOC 2 audit and go through it with confidence. With growing pressure from enterprise clients, investors, and partners, more organizations are being asked to prove their security posture through a SOC 2 audit. But for many businesses, especially SaaS startups and SMBs, navigating SOC 2 audit readiness can feel overwhelming. Limited resources, compliance fatigue, and the fear of failing the audit are common hurdles that stall progress. We offer practical SOC 2 expert tips on how to prepare for a SOC 2 audit, so you can move forward with confidence and meet rising expectations without overextending your team.

What Is SOC 2 Compliance

SOC 2 (System and Organization Controls 2) is a cybersecurity and data privacy framework developed by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). It’s designed for technology service providers, especially SaaS companies, cloud platforms, and data processors, that store or manage customer data. SOC 2 isn’t legally required. However, it has become a de facto standard for businesses providing technology services. SOC 2 provides independent validation that your company takes information security seriously. For startups and SMBs, it's a powerful way to win clients, secure investor confidence, and stand out in competitive markets. SOC 2 compliance is verified through an independent third-party audit conducted by a licensed CPA (Certified Public Accountant) firm. The audit evaluates whether your organization has the appropriate internal controls in place to meet an applicable set of Trust Services Criteria:

• Security (required)
• Availability
• Confidentiality
• Processing Integrity
• Privacy

You can choose a SOC 2 Type I (point-in-time) or SOC 2 Type II (over time) report depending on your business needs. Type II is the gold standard for companies seeking to build long-term trust with clients and partners. Want a deeper dive into SOC 2 benefits? Check out our article on what a SOC 2 audit is and what its benefits are.

Who Needs SOC 2 Compliance

While SOC 2 isn’t legally mandated for most companies, certain business scenarios make it highly recommended and, in many cases, expected by customers, partners, or investors.

Your clients or partners are asking for a SOC 2 report

If clients or partners are requesting a SOC 2 report before signing contracts, that’s a clear signal that you need to take compliance seriously. SOC 2 has become a standard requirement in vendor due diligence, especially in industries like finance, healthcare, and legal services. Without a SOC 2 report, many organizations are excluded from high-value partnerships due to a perceived lack of trust and security maturity.

Your organization stores, processes, and transmits customer data

If your product or service involves storing or processing personally identifiable information (PII), health records, payment data, or any other regulated content, SOC 2 is essential. It shows that your company follows data protection protocols, covering access controls, encryption, monitoring, and more. Handling sensitive data without undergoing a SOC 2 audit increases your risk of exposure and weakens customer confidence.

You want to improve your information security program

SOC 2 isn’t about checking compliance. It’s a powerful framework for strengthening your entire information security posture. Preparing for the audit helps companies identify gaps, implement better controls, and foster a culture of accountability. Most companies preparing for SOC 2 say it led to long-term improvements in operational security. It’s an investment that pays off by reducing internal risk and setting up repeatable processes for future audits and certifications.

You want to build lasting trust with your partners and customers

SOC 2 demonstrates that your organization takes security and privacy seriously. It offers independent validation from a certified auditor, showing stakeholders that your systems are reliable and that customer data is treated with care. This is particularly important for startups and scale-ups trying to win deals against bigger competitors. A SOC 2 report can level the playing field by providing evidence of compliance, transparency, and accountability.

You want to stand out in the crowded market

With thousands of vendors competing in the SaaS environment, having a SOC 2 report signals that your business is a responsible and reliable partner and service provider. It differentiates you from companies that haven’t taken the step and opens the door to regulated markets. Many organizations use SOC 2 as a competitive advantage to win over clients who are security-conscious.

SOC 2 Readiness Checklist: How to Get Started

For organizations preparing for a SOC 2 audit, a SOC 2 readiness assessment is an essential first step, helping to identify and evaluate any gaps in current security practices and internal controls before undergoing the formal audit process. This assessment is particularly valuable, as it provides focused, resource-conscious guidance tailored to the organization-specific compliance obligations. Before making any steps, it’s reasonable to start by evaluating your organization’s capacity to conduct the readiness assessment. Ask yourself:

• Do we have the right people and expertise in-house?
• Can we handle the documentation and remediation process?
• Would it be more efficient to work with a SOC 2 consultant?

If your team lacks compliance experience or is already stretched thin, a readiness partner can help you move faster and avoid missteps.

Confirm the Type of SOC 2 Report to Choose

The difference between SOC 2 Type 1 and Type 2 is obvious at first glance: SOC 2 Type 1 evaluates whether the security controls are properly designed at a specific point in time, while SOC 2 Type 2 assesses whether these controls are not only designed but also operating effectively over time. However, many organizations may experience difficulties while deciding which one to choose. Your organization should probably start with SOC 2 Type 1 report if:

• This is your first SOC audit;
• You want to take a slower approach;
• You have a business need to deliver a report as soon as possible.

Thus, in many terms, the Type 1 report is a stepping stone for preparing for a Type II audit. SOC 2 Type 2 preparation is more complex and requires more time for conducting and preparation. You may want to go straight to the SOC 2 Type II audit if:

• You already have SOC 2 Type I report
• The timing of the report is not critical
• You have sufficient resources allocated for the remediation work

To conclude, SOC 2 Type I will help determine the sufficiency of the organization’s controls and prepare for more complex audits.

Reviewing the SOC 2 Audit Scope and Controls Mapping

Defining the scope of the SOC 2 audit aims to determine the necessary TSC for assurance - Security, Availability, Processing Integrity, Confidentiality, and Privacy - to point out what systems and components must be assessed. Organizations are free to decide what number and combination of the TSC are necessary to address in their SOC 2 report. The only category required by the AICPA as obligatory is Security, which covers a set of nine subcategories (SOC 2 common criteria) that evaluate an organization's internal controls, including control environment, risk assessment, monitoring, and access controls. The orienting point for determining the SOC 2 specific criteria that relate to the remaining involves aligning the selection with your organization’s business objectives, client requirements, and the scope of services you provide. For example, a SaaS provider committed to delivering reliable software services to customers should include Availability in the scope of their SOC 2 audit. Meanwhile, a cloud storage provider might focus on Security, Availability, and Confidentiality, while an e-commerce platform may include Processing Integrity and Privacy. Read more about how to choose the right criteria for a SOC 2 audit. Organizations usually deem two or more TSC to be relevant to their customers' needs. Attempts to address multiple criteria, especially at the first SOC 2 audit, may be unbearable for organizations. Particularly, it may result in missed deadlines and even disrupted operations. To avoid such inconveniences, organizations should follow a staged approach to addressing TSPs. Meaning, it is more effective to focus on the most critical principles first and then increase the scope in the future.

Describing Necessary Security Controls

After defining the scope of the SOC 2 report, it’s time to establish if all necessary controls have been designed and are operating effectively according to their business environments. It is also essential to identify why they matter from the user’s perspective. At this stage, organizations must first describe all the security controls they will test during the SOC 2 audit. For example, the controls under Security would include:

• Clearly defined organizational structure with well-documented roles and responsibilities,
• Established onboarding/offboarding processes, along with clear procedures for evaluating their performance;
• Clear communication channels for policies, procedures, and system changes;
• Establish policies for formal risk assessments periodically;
• Establish robust access controls that include strong authentication methods, such as MFA, RBAC, regular access logs, and strong physical security measures, like restricted access to server rooms.
• Monitoring system performance and availability, detecting and responding to incidents, including security breaches, and maintaining logs to analyze and resolve system issues.

In addition, a set of controls to implement under Availability requires implementing policies and procedures regarding the system’s capacity demand planning, use of system components, environmental protection, data backup process, and recovery plans. For Privacy, organizations need to implement controls related to individuals’ rights as well as proper protection, use, and retention of personal information.

Engaging with a Third-Party Assessor for SOC 2 readiness assessment

Engaging with a third-party assessor for a SOC 2 readiness assessment can significantly streamline the compliance journey. These experts bring deep knowledge of SOC 2 requirements, helping identify gaps in your existing controls and offering actionable recommendations to address them. Their objective perspective ensures nothing is overlooked, from policy documentation to security protocols. For SMBs with limited internal resources, third-party assessors provide tailored guidance, ensuring your organization is well-prepared to achieve SOC 2 compliance while maintaining operational efficiency.

Get a Remediation Plan

The SOC 2 readiness assessment should highlight the gaps and controls, processes and documentation based on the SOC 2 compliance requirements. Conduct a detailed gap analysis to pinpoint specific areas of weakness and identify high-risk areas that require immediate attention. Then develop a remediation plan that would:

• create a clear roadmap outlining the necessary steps to address each gap;
• set realistic deadlines for each remediation task;
• allocate sufficient resources, including budget and personnel;
• assign responsibility to specific individuals or teams.

When working with an external consultant, you would get recommendations on each of the improvement areas and remediation plans to fix the deficiencies and oversights.

SOC 2 Audit Preparation Timeline

SOC 2 audit preparation typically takes 6 to 9 months for smaller organizations, although the timeline can vary widely depending on the organization's size, the maturity of security controls, and the quality of its existing documentation. Whether you're a fast-growing startup or a large enterprise, factors such as team availability, internal expertise, existing processes, and toolsets will significantly influence how quickly you can prepare. Companies with well-documented security practices and defined roles often move faster, while those building their controls from the ground up may need more time to close gaps and gather evidence.

Who Should Lead SOC 2 Audit Preparation?

Selecting the right leader for your SOC 2 readiness effort depends on your organizational structure, technical maturity, and internal expertise. In many companies, the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) is a natural fit, as they oversee IT infrastructure, cloud environments, and application security, core components evaluated in a SOC 2 audit. For companies with limited internal security resources, a vCISO (virtual Chief Information Security Officer) or external consultants can provide essential leadership, bringing both strategic oversight and technical experience to the table.

Key Challenges when Preparing for a SOC 2 Audit

Limited In-House Expertise

Many organizations, especially SMBs, lack dedicated compliance professionals or security teams with deep knowledge of the SOC 2 framework. This gap can lead to uncertainty about how to interpret the Trust Services Criteria or implement required controls. To address this, businesses often turn to SOC 2 external consultants or vCISO services who bring proven experience and can lead the process strategically while mentoring internal staff along the way.

Time and Resource Constraints

Preparing for a SOC 2 audit requires coordination across IT, business operations, HR, and executive leadership. Without a clear project lead or adequate internal bandwidth, timelines often slip and critical tasks go unaddressed. Appointing roles responsible for SOC 2 audit preparation can help ensure timely progress and reduce the operational strain on internal teams.

Documentation Challenges

Many companies operate with informal, undocumented procedures, which create significant obstacles during a SOC 2 audit. Auditors require clear, consistent evidence of control implementation, including policies, procedures, logs, and reports. Thus, it is necessary to adopt a structured documentation plan, starting with high-priority areas such as access management and incident response.

Low Control Maturity

Businesses with limited formal security resources may face significant remediation efforts to meet SOC 2 requirements. Common issues include the absence of documented access controls, limited logging and monitoring, and inconsistent risk management practices. Building maturity involves prioritizing baseline security controls, implementing structured processes, and aligning operations with widely recognized frameworks like the CIS Controls or NIST Cybersecurity Framework.

SOC 2 readiness assessment with Planet 9?

If you are looking for guidance, structure, and security leadership to navigate SOC 2, you're not alone. Planet 9 offers expert SOC 2 consulting and vCISO services to help you build trust, close compliance gaps, and lead with confidence. Depending on a client’s internal resources, expertise, and availability, Planet 9 can completely or partially assist the client with the following:

• identify SOC 2 TSPs critical for your organization;
• conduct gap assessment and remediation;
• select an audit firm;
• prepare for and navigate the formal SOC 2 audit process;
• represent the client during the audit process;
• maintain ongoing compliance through regular assessments and updates.

Be confident in your SOC 2 audit journey. Book a free consultation to achieve and maintain SOC 2 compliance now.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between Type I and Type II?

SOC 2 Type I assesses whether a company’s controls are designed effectively at a specific point in time. In contrast, SOC 2 Type II evaluates whether those controls are not only designed properly but also operating effectively over a defined period, typically 3 to 12 months. Type II offers a deeper level of assurance to clients and partners.

Why is the SOC 2 Type II compliance important?

SOC 2 Type II compliance is important because it provides evidence of ongoing, effective security practices. While Type I shows you have the right controls in place, Type II proves these controls are consistently applied. This is especially valuable to clients, regulators, and partners who want to be confident in your long-term commitment to data protection and risk management.

How often do we need to renew our SOC 2 report?

To maintain continuous compliance and client trust, organizations should undergo annual audits and ensure that there are no gaps in the audit period.

Do we need to be SOC 2 compliant if we’re already following other frameworks (e.g., ISO 27001, HIPAA)?

Yes. While frameworks like ISO 27001 and HIPAA address similar areas of security and privacy, SOC 2 is tailored to service organizations and is often a de facto requirement in U.S. markets, particularly for SaaS and cloud service providers. Clients may specifically request a SOC 2 report as part of their vendor due diligence, even if other certifications are in place.

What kind of documentation is required for SOC 2 compliance?

SOC 2 compliance requires comprehensive documentation, including:

• Security policies and procedures (e.g., access control, incident response);
• Evidence of control implementation (e.g., logs, reports, screenshots);
• Organizational charts and roles;
• Risk assessments and vendor evaluations;
• Training records and audit trail.

The documentation must clearly demonstrate how your controls align with the selected TSC and that they are both implemented and enforced over time.

Is SOC 2 audit preparedness required by AICPA?

No, a SOC 2 readiness assessment is not required by the AICPA, but it's highly recommended, especially for first-time audits. It helps reduce the risk of audit delays, findings, and costly remediation efforts after the audit begins.

How long does a SOC 2 readiness assessment take?

It depends on the organization’s security maturity and assessment approach. Most SOC 2 readiness assessments take between 2 to 6 weeks.

Who should conduct a SOC 2 readiness assessment?

You can conduct the assessment internally if you have compliance expertise, but many small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) choose to work with third-party consulting companies to guide the process and ensure nothing is missed.