SOC 2 is a U.S. security and compliance framework, broadly applicable to both American companies and global organizations that work with U.S. clients. It applies to service organizations that handle, process, or store customer data — particularly in SaaS, fintech, healthtech, and cloud services. While not legally required, it is often a commercial necessity to win enterprise clients in the U.S. market.

• When clients issue vendor assessments or RFPs, SOC 2 reports are frequently required.

• If you manage customer data in the cloud, SOC 2 demonstrates strong security practices.

• If you are expanding into regulated or enterprise markets in the U.S., SOC 2 builds the trust needed to close deals.

SOC 2 is a voluntary attestation, and pursuing it should be a strategic business decision — typically driven by client demand, U.S. market entry, or risk reduction.

SOC 2 does not provide a traditional “certification” like ISO 27001. Instead, it results in an independent audit report issued by a licensed CPA firm.

• SOC 2 Type I → Assesses whether controls are designed effectively at a point in time.

• SOC 2 Type II → Tests whether controls operate effectively over a period (typically 3–12 months).

The report is widely recognized and trusted by enterprise clients, especially in North America.

Sekurno helps ****prepare organizations for SOC 2 by aligning controls with the Trust Services Criteria, coordinating with independent auditors, and ensuring readiness for Type I and II engagements.

Timelines vary depending on scope, readiness, and whether you pursue Type I or Type II:

• SOC 2 Type I → 2–6 months (faster readiness, point-in-time assessment).

• SOC 2 Type II → 6–12 months (requires an operating period to demonstrate controls in action).

Typical phases:

1. Readiness & Gap Assessment → 1–2 months.

2. Control Implementation & Policy Development → 1–4 months.

3. Observation / Operating Period (Type II only) → 3–9 months (6 months common for mid-sized firms).

4. Independent Audit & Report → 2–6 weeks.

Sekurno helps shorten the journey by preparing documentation, aligning controls, and managing readiness before the audit firm steps in — so the audit itself becomes a validation, not a discovery.

The cost of SOC 2 depends on company size, system complexity, chosen Trust Services Criteria, and whether you pursue Type I or Type II.

• Smaller startups (Type I only) → $30K–$60K (first year).

• Mid-sized companies (Type II) → $70K–$120K+ including tools, consulting and audit (first year).

• Larger or multi-system firms → $150K–$200K+ for full Type II readiness and audit (first year).

In practice: Year 1 is the big investment, because you’re building policies, controls, and tooling. From Year 2 onward, SOC 2 becomes an operational cost, usually in the $25K–$60K/year range for mid-sized companies.

Sekurno helps control costs by aligning scope with client expectations, integrating SOC 2 with existing controls, and partnering with efficient audit firms — ensuring you invest where it matters most for both compliance and sales impact.

Your SOC 2 scope defines which systems and services are included in the audit report and which Trust Services Criteria (TSC) will be evaluated.

• Identify In-Scope Systems → Platforms, applications, or services that store or process client data.

• Define Boundaries → Cloud environments, APIs, and integrations that support the service.

• Select Trust Services Criteria (TSC) →

  • Security (Common Criteria): Always included — covers access control, incident response, system monitoring, and risk management.

  • Optional Criteria (based on client demand and business specifics):

    • Availability → Ensuring uptime, resilience, and disaster recovery.

    • Confidentiality → Protecting sensitive data beyond personal information.

    • Processing Integrity → Ensuring systems process data completely, accurately, and timely.

    • Privacy → Addressing how personal information is collected, used, and retained.

• Vendor Dependencies → Third-party services (e.g., AWS, Azure, payment processors) must be documented, monitored, and covered by vendor risk management processes.

Sekurno helps determine which Trust Services Criteria are most relevant to your business and customer base, ensuring your SOC 2 report meets client expectations without adding unnecessary cost or audit scope.

SOC 2 compliance requires implementing and demonstrating controls aligned with the Trust Services Criteria (TSC). At the core are the Common Criteria (CC) — covering governance, risk management, access controls, system operations, and change management — which apply to every SOC 2 report.

Key responsibilities include:

• Implement controls aligned with the TSC and Common Criteria.

• Develop policies and procedures across security, availability, confidentiality, processing integrity, and privacy (as applicable).

• Train employees to build awareness and accountability.

• Monitor vendors and third parties that process client data.

• Maintain audit-ready evidence of control operation.

• Conduct risk assessments and track remediation for continuous improvement.

Sekurno helps by mapping Common Criteria to your business, building practical SOC 2 controls, and preparing your team to demonstrate compliance effectively during audits.

SOC 2 reports can only be issued by a licensed CPA firm, so choosing the right one is critical for credibility and client trust.

Key considerations:

• CPA Requirement → Ensure the firm is licensed and authorized to issue SOC 2 reports.

• SOC 2 Expertise → Look for auditors with relevant industry experience (e.g., SaaS, fintech, healthcare).

• Reputation & References → Review feedback and sample reports to gauge quality.

• Fit & Communication → Assess audit style and collaboration approach.

• Transparent Scope & Pricing → Confirm effort, criteria, and costs match your environment.

Sekurno helps by connecting you with trusted CPA firms, aligning audit scope with your needs, and preparing your team so the audit validates readiness instead of exposing gaps.

SOC 2 is an ongoing program, especially for Type II reports. Organizations must:

• Maintain controls consistently across the testing period.

• Provide updated evidence annually to auditors.

• Keep policies, procedures, and training current.

• Monitor vendors and infrastructure continuously.

Sekurno helps by embedding continuous compliance practices so your SOC 2 report is easier to renew each year.

To begin SOC 2 readiness with Sekurno, organizations should:

• Define scope and Trust Services Criteria (TSC) — Security is mandatory; decide if Availability, Confidentiality, Processing Integrity, or Privacy apply.

• Assign an internal owner to coordinate with Sekurno.

• Provide existing documentation (policies, procedures, audit records).

• List systems and vendors supporting in-scope services.

• Join structured interviews to review existing controls, processes and data flows.

Sekurno then uses this input to perform a readiness assessment, close gaps, and guide you through to full audit readiness.

SOC 2 requires organizations to have a formal incident response process and to demonstrate that it is followed. An incident itself does not cause non-compliance — what matters is how the organization detects, responds, and documents it.

Key expectations include:

• Prompt detection and reporting of the incident.

• Clear escalation procedures to management and stakeholders.

• Investigation, remediation, and root-cause analysis.

• Documented lessons learned and updates to policies and controls.

• Evidence of client or regulator notification, if required.

Handled properly, incidents can even reinforce client trust by showing the organization responds with maturity and transparency.

Sekurno helps by designing tailored incident response processes, training teams, and integrating incident management into SOC 2 controls — ensuring you stay resilient and audit-ready when incidents occur.

SOC 2 overlaps with several major security and compliance standards, making it a strong foundation for multi-framework compliance:

• ISO 27001 → TSC map closely to Annex A controls such as access management, incident response, and vendor oversight.

• GDPR → Supports Article 32 requirements for security of processing, including risk management, access control, and incident handling.

• HIPAA → Aligns with the Security Rule’s administrative, physical, and technical safeguards (e.g., logging, training, breach response).

• U.S. FDA → Complements FDA’s cybersecurity expectations for connected medical devices and digital health platforms.

• EU MDR → Strengthens post-market surveillance and data integrity requirements for medical devices.

• EU DORA → Aligns with governance, ICT risk management, monitoring, and incident handling requirements in the financial sector.

Sekurno helps ****design a scalable compliance infrastructure, ensuring SOC 2 controls can be extended across multiple regulatory and security requirements — reducing duplication, costs, and audit fatigue.