For many Bay Area startups, SOC 2 shows up the same way: a large prospect sends a security questionnaire, the deal slows down, and someone asks, “Do you have a SOC 2 report?” If the answer is no, the sale can stall for months.
The good news is that SOC 2 is very achievable for a small team when the IT and security foundations are set up correctly from the start. This guide explains what SOC 2 is, how long it takes and the practical steps Raise Networks uses to get startups audit-ready.
What is SOC 2?
SOC 2 is an audit framework created by the AICPA. An independent CPA firm reviews how your company protects customer data and issues a report your customers can rely on. It is built around five Trust Services Criteria:
- Security (required for every SOC 2 report)
- Availability
- Confidentiality
- Processing Integrity
- Privacy
Most startups begin with Security only and add other criteria later if customers ask for them.
SOC 2 Type I vs Type II
Type I confirms that your controls are designed correctly at a single point in time. It is faster and is often used to unblock early enterprise deals.
Type II confirms that your controls actually operated over an observation period, usually 3 to 12 months. Enterprise buyers generally expect a Type II report, so plan for it even if you start with Type I.
How long does SOC 2 take?
For a startup with a modern cloud and SaaS stack, a realistic timeline looks like this:
- Gap assessment: 1 to 3 weeks
- Remediation and policy work: 1 to 3 months, depending on how much is already in place
- Type I audit: a few weeks after remediation
- Type II observation period: typically 3 to 6 months for a first report, then the audit itself
Teams that already use Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace with single sign-on, managed devices and infrastructure as code usually move much faster.
The 7 steps to SOC 2 readiness
1. Define your scope
Decide which product, systems, people and data are in scope. A tight, well-defined scope keeps the audit simpler and cheaper.
2. Run a gap assessment
Compare what you do today against the SOC 2 criteria. The output should be a prioritized list of missing controls, not a 200-page report nobody reads.
3. Lock down identity and access
This is where most findings come from. Put every application behind single sign-on with multi-factor authentication, remove shared accounts, apply least-privilege access and run documented quarterly access reviews. Microsoft Entra ID, Okta or Google Workspace can all support this.
4. Manage and protect every device
Auditors will ask how you know every laptop is encrypted, patched and protected. Use a device management platform such as Microsoft Intune or Jamf, enforce disk encryption and screen lock, and run endpoint detection and response such as CrowdStrike or Microsoft Defender.
5. Secure your cloud environment
Turn on logging in AWS, Azure or Google Cloud, restrict administrative access, encrypt data at rest and in transit, and manage changes through infrastructure as code and pull requests. That change history becomes audit evidence.
6. Write policies you actually follow
You will need an information security policy, access control, change management, incident response, vendor management, business continuity and more. Keep them short and realistic. An auditor will test whether you follow what you wrote.
7. Collect evidence continuously
Compliance automation platforms such as Vanta, Drata or Secureframe connect to your systems and track controls automatically. They work best when the underlying IT is already clean. The platform tracks the evidence, but someone still has to operate the controls every day.
Common reasons startups fail or delay SOC 2
- Offboarded employees still have access to SaaS tools
- Devices that are not enrolled in device management
- No documented access reviews or change approvals
- Logging turned on but never reviewed
- Policies copied from a template that nobody follows
- No clear owner for security and compliance day to day
Do you need a full-time security hire?
Usually not at the startup stage. Many companies combine a compliance automation platform with a managed IT and security partner who operates the controls, handles the helpdesk, manages devices and identity, and works with the auditor. That gives you enterprise-grade security without a large internal team.
How Raise Networks helps
Raise Networks is a San Jose based Technology Services Provider that helps Bay Area startups and growing companies become SOC 2 ready and stay that way. We run the gap assessment, fix identity, device and cloud controls, set up your compliance platform, write practical policies and operate the controls month to month so evidence is always ready.
Learn more about our Cybersecurity and Compliance services and Governance-Ready Infrastructure, or book a free SOC 2 readiness assessment.
Frequently asked questions
Is SOC 2 required by law?
No. SOC 2 is voluntary, but many enterprise and mid-market customers require it before they sign with a SaaS or technology vendor.
Should we start with SOC 2 Type I or Type II?
If a deal depends on it, start with Type I and begin the Type II observation period right after. If you have time, going straight to Type II avoids doing two audits close together.
Can a small startup get SOC 2?
Yes. Startups with fewer than 20 people complete SOC 2 regularly. A smaller, cloud-native environment is often easier to control than a large legacy one.
What is the difference between SOC 2 and ISO 27001?
SOC 2 is an attestation report common with US customers. ISO 27001 is an international certification for an information security management system, more common with European and global buyers. Much of the underlying control work overlaps.
