For most startups, SOC 2 becomes a priority the moment a customer or a deal asks for it. This guide covers when you really need it, which report type to start with, which criteria to include, what it costs in our engagements, how long it takes and the mistakes to avoid.
When a startup really needs SOC 2
You need SOC 2 when a customer or a deal asks for it. That request usually arrives in a security questionnaire or a procurement review. Until then, it is better to focus on the security practices themselves, so you are ready when the request comes.
Type 1 or Type 2 first
- Type 1 shows your controls are designed at a point in time.
- Type 2 shows your controls operated over a period.
Most enterprise customers ask for Type 2. Our SOC 2 Type 2 audit guide explains the process in more detail.
Which criteria to include
Start with the Security criteria only. Add other criteria only when a customer asks for them. Adding criteria nobody asked for adds work without helping you close deals.
What SOC 2 costs for a startup
For a company with fewer than 50 staff, our fees are:
| Item | CyberWave GRC fee |
|---|---|
| Readiness and consulting | $3,000 to $5,000 |
| Audit | $3,000 to $5,000 |
| Penetration testing and tools | $2,000 to $3,000 |
Plan for 30 to 50 hours of your own team's time as well. Our SOC 2 audit cost guide breaks these figures down further.
How long it takes
A Type 1 report usually takes 3 to 4 months. A Type 2 report takes 6 to 12 months, because the auditor has to watch your controls operate for 3 to 12 months after readiness.
What a startup needs in place before the audit
Most startups already have more controls than they think. The gaps are usually in the paperwork and the proof. Before the auditor arrives, you'll need written security policies that your team has actually read and accepted, multi-factor authentication on email, cloud and code repositories, access reviews showing who can reach production and why, onboarding and offboarding records, background checks where the law allows, vendor reviews for your key suppliers, a tested incident response plan, and a recent penetration test. A compliance automation platform such as Vanta, Drata or Sprinto can collect much of this evidence for you, but it can't write your policies or make sure your controls run every day. That part is still up to your team. Our SOC 2 readiness assessment guide walks through each area, and our VAPT services cover the penetration test.
How to start
Begin with a readiness assessment so you know which controls are not yet in place before an auditor looks at them. Our SOC 2 readiness assessment guide explains what it covers.
Mistakes to avoid
- Paying $10,000 to $20,000 or more for a brand-name audit. Every SOC 2 report is issued by a licensed CPA firm under the same AICPA standards.
- Hiring a firm that is not a licensed CPA firm to issue the report.
- Starting the audit before controls are ready.
Next step
See how we support startups on our SOC 2 consulting page, or book a 30-minute call to talk through your timeline.