SOC 2 for the first time: a 90-day roadmap

SOC 2 is an independent audit of how you handle security (and optionally availability, confidentiality, privacy and processing integrity). For most B2B software companies it's the checkbox that unblocks enterprise deals. The good news: a first SOC 2 Type I is very achievable in a quarter if you sequence it well.

Type I vs. Type II

Type I attests that your controls are designed correctly at a point in time. Type II proves they operated effectively over a period (usually 3–12 months). Start with Type I to unblock the deal, then let a Type II window run in the background.

Days 1–30: scope and baseline

• Pick your Trust Services Criteria — Security is required; add others only if customers ask.
• Choose a compliance automation platform (Vanta, Drata, Secureframe) to track evidence.
• Inventory systems, data flows and who has access to what.
• Close the obvious gaps: enforce MFA and SSO, encrypt data, enable logging.

Days 31–60: write and enforce

• Document policies — access control, incident response, change management, vendor risk.
• Turn policies into reality: least-privilege access, code review, background checks.
• Stand up continuous monitoring so evidence collects itself.

Days 61–90: audit

1. 1Run a readiness assessment to catch gaps before the auditor does.
2. 2Engage a licensed CPA firm for the audit itself.
3. 3Remediate findings, collect final evidence, and get your report.

SOC 2 isn't a one-time project — it's a habit. The teams that struggle are the ones who treat it like a sprint instead of a system.

The trap is treating the report as the finish line. Bake the controls into your pipeline and the next audit is a formality instead of a fire drill. We help clients through both the readiness work and the audit itself — often joining the auditor calls directly.