You can get SOC 2 compliance by defining the audit scope, performing a readiness assessment, implementing strong security controls, collecting evidence, and working with a licensed CPA firm. Partnering with a penetration testing company strengthens your defenses and ensures you’re audit-ready.

In today’s data-driven world, security and trust are no longer just fancy terms; they have become a must-have for businesses. Whatever the case, a couple must open bigger deals and partnerships via SOC 2 if your organization stores, processes, or transmits customer data. Be they SaaS providers, data platforms, or cloud-based startups, customers are asking for increasing evidence that their data is safe with you.

But the real question remains, from where to start?

In this blog: The hows of getting SOC 2 compliance, why you should, and how a penetration testing firm can make that journey easier for you.

What is SOC 2 Compliance?

SOC 2 (System and Organization Controls 2) is the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) cybersecurity framework. It specifically addresses how companies manage customer data and is based on five so-called Trust Service Criteria:

• Security
• Availability
• Processing Integrity
• Confidentiality
• Privacy

The SOC 2 report, prepared by a certified CPA or audit firm, means your entity has controls implemented to protect data and is created for technological and cloud computing companies that hope to build trust with their clients and meet contractual obligations.

Why SOC 2 Compliance Matters

Before moving on to the procedural steps, here are some reasons why SOC 2 is a game changer for your business:

• Builds Customer Trust: Clients prefer to work with companies that demonstrate high data security standards.
• Gives Competitive Edge: SOC 2 compliance has become a baseline in many enterprise deals.
• Reduces Risk: SOC 2 practice adoption in fact helps you reduce chances of being prone to data breaches and security gaps.
• Aligns with Growth Goals: Scaling companies would often work with this audit to close their funding rounds or enter into regulated industries.

How To Get SOC 2 Compliance in 7 Steps

1. Understand the Type of SOC 2 Report You Need

There are two types of SOC 2 reports:

• Type I: Examines the design of your controls at a point in-time.
• Type II: Examines the controls for their operating effectiveness over a period of time anywhere from three up to 12 months.

If you are just starting up your process, begin with Type I; and once your policies mature, work to get Type II.

2. Define the Scope and Trust Criteria

No two SOC 2 audits look alike. Depending on your targeted and actual industry, you’ll have to reckon with choosing which of the five trust service criteria apply. Most companies embark on security first; others might consider availability or confidentiality based on what their customers require.

In other words, this is a make-or-break factor in terms of saving time and money, so due diligence shall be exercised in collaboration with your auditor and maybe even a penetration testing firm.

3. Perform Readiness Assessment

Consider this your pre-audit checklist. A readiness assessment is designed to flag the gaps in your current processes, documentation, and security controls. You can perform this in-house or, better yet, bring in a third-party security consultant or a parallel CPA firm.

You might want to contract a penetration testing company at this point. They attacked your information system themselves under a set of ethical guidelines and issued a real-world report, giving you actionable tips on how to strengthen defenses that auditors will love to see.

4. Implement Security Controls or Enhance Those Already in Place

Compliance does not only speak of documentations about SOC 2-It’s also about actually doing. So from here, based upon your assessment:

• Create formal policy documentation (e.g., retention, access control, incident response);
• Install all technical controls: endpoint protection, firewall, SIEM, encryption;
• Assure access based on role and managed with tight control of credentials;
• Train your employees in security awareness.

A penetration testing company would prove invaluable again here by offering a real-world assessment of whether your tech stack combined with your internal controls is profiled as secure, as opposed to just theoretically compliant.

5. Collect Evidence and Tracking Logs

To show proof of compliance during the audit, it means you need to:

• Keep logs of user access, system updates, and incident response.
• Document security controls and their changes.
• Collect evidence of training, maintenance, and monitoring of controls carried out on a regular basis.

Use automated tools as much as you can to lessen the manual effort, especially with Type II audits that last for months.      

6. Select an Independent Auditor

Only a licensed CPA firm can issue a SOC 2 report. Ensure it is a well-appreciated firm in your line of work and ones known for practical and straightforward auditing processes.

They look at your controls and verify the documents before testing them for evidences. For Type II, it will monitor how your company maintains its compliance through observation.   

7. Close Gaps, Improve, Repeat

No system is perfect, so even after being issued the SOC 2 report, you are on the track of monitoring and improvements. Most companies will undergo periodic re-audits annually. Customers thus anticipate that your SOC 2 status remains current all the time.

Having a trusted penetration testing company affiliated with you means that you will always be one step ahead of threats and audit-ready every year.

Make SOC 2 Work for You

Getting SOC 2 compliance can seem overwhelming, especially if you’re a lean team or a fast-growing startup. But the process doesn’t have to be painful.

By breaking it down into stages and bringing in the right partners—like a trusted penetration testing firm—you can not only earn the SOC 2 badge but also strengthen your business in the process. It is best to hire a penetration-testing firm before starting the audit period, so you can take measures to fix any weaknesses.

It’s more than a checkbox. It’s proof that your company is built to protect, scale, and lead.

Need help with penetration testing before your SOC 2 audit?

Consider working with a firm that understands both the technical and compliance landscape. Because in the end, getting SOC 2 compliant isn’t just about passing the audit—it’s about building trust that lasts. It is best to hire a penetration testing firm before starting the audit period, so you can take measures to fix any weaknesses.