SOC 2 has gone from nice-to-have to must-have for companies handling customer data. Enterprise buyers, SaaS platforms, and regulated industries routinely require it. Here’s what it actually takes to get certified—and how to approach it pragmatically.
What SOC 2 Is
SOC 2 is an audit framework built around the Trust Service Criteria: security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy. You choose which criteria apply; most start with security. An independent auditor evaluates your controls and produces a report that proves you’re managing risk appropriately. It’s not a one-time checklist—it’s an ongoing commitment to documented, auditable processes.
Who Needs It
Any company that stores, processes, or transmits customer data—especially SaaS, professional services, fintech, healthcare, and those selling to enterprises—increasingly needs SOC 2. If a prospect asks “Are you SOC 2 certified?” and you say no, the deal often dies. Getting ahead of the requirement is a competitive advantage.
Type I vs Type II
Type I evaluates whether your controls are properly designed at a point in time. Type II evaluates whether those controls operated effectively over a period—typically 6–12 months. Customers increasingly want Type II because it proves you actually follow your processes. Expect a Type I first, then a 6–12 month observation period before Type II.
Timeline and Key Controls
Typical prep takes 3–6 months before a Type I audit. Key controls include: access management (who has access to what, how it’s granted and revoked), change control (how changes are approved and tested), monitoring (logs, alerts, incident response), and vendor management (how you assess and oversee third parties). Many of these map directly to IT and security operations.
How an MSP/MSSP Helps
An MSP/MSSP partner can operationalize most of the technical controls: patch management, access reviews, logging and monitoring, backup and recovery, incident response. You don’t have to build everything yourself. They provide the runbooks, the evidence, and the discipline that auditors expect. SOC 2 doesn’t have to derail your roadmap—with the right partner, it can be integrated into how you already run your business.
