SOC 2 readiness for SaaS and tech companies that need to actually pass
We run end-to-end SOC 2 readiness programs for SaaS, fintech, and B2B technology companies — gap analysis, control implementation, evidence-collection automation, audit coordination with the auditor of your choice, and the ongoing program work that keeps the Type 2 window clean. AICPA Trust Services Criteria aligned, SSAE-18, no template compliance theater.
For a buyer's overview of Type 1 vs Type 2 selection, see our blog: SOC 2 Type 1 vs Type 2 — which audit do you actually need?
Who we work with
- Pre-revenue SaaS closing their first enterprise contracts that require a SOC 2.
- Mid-market technology companies renewing or expanding scope on existing reports.
- Fintech and HealthTech running SOC 2 alongside HIPAA, PCI-DSS, or state-level requirements.
- Acquirers running SOC 2 due-diligence on target companies.
- MSPs and security firms who refer SOC 2 work or sub-contract delivery.
What we deliver
- Gap analysis. Mapped against the five Trust Services Criteria (Security, Availability, Confidentiality, Processing Integrity, Privacy). Output is a remediation roadmap with effort estimates and ownership assignments — not a 200-page generic checklist.
- Control implementation. We write the actual controls — access provisioning, change management, vendor risk, incident response, monitoring — and stand up the operating cadence.
- Policy library. Written, signed, version-controlled. The 20-30 policies your auditor will sample, drafted to your environment rather than copy-pasted.
- Evidence collection. We configure Drata, Vanta, Secureframe, or Tugboat — or run continuous-compliance monitoring without one if your stack is small enough that a tool would be overkill.
- Auditor selection and coordination. We have working relationships with multiple AICPA-licensed auditors at varying price points. We help you pick the right one and run the audit on your behalf.
- Audit prep and PBC fulfillment. Walkthrough rehearsal with your team, pre-audit evidence review, and answering the auditor's "Provided by Client" requests in your voice without dragging your engineering team into months of compliance distraction.
- Type 2 program operations. The 6-12 month observation window is where most first-time companies fail. We run the controls, fix the exceptions, and prepare the production case before the auditor walks back in.
Realistic timelines
- Type 1: 8-12 weeks from kickoff to issued report (assuming clean readiness)
- Type 2 (first): 9-14 months total — readiness + 3 / 6 / 12 month observation window + audit fieldwork
- Type 2 (renewal): 4-6 months once steady-state
Realistic costs (US, 2026)
- Type 1 audit fee: $15K–$35K + readiness work
- Type 2 first audit fee: $30K–$70K + readiness + ongoing program cost
- Compliance tooling (Drata, Vanta, Secureframe): $7K–$30K/year
- Our readiness fee: $35K–$95K depending on scope, complexity, and starting maturity
Where projects actually slip
- Auditor selection takes longer than the audit. Get an auditor under contract before you finish readiness.
- Sub-service organization scoping. Cloud, payroll, identity provider — needs to be in scope or carved out with proper CUEC language.
- Access provisioning vs deprovisioning. Provisioning is easy. Deprovisioning at termination plus quarterly access reviews is where Type 2s get exception findings.
- Production change management. Auditors will sample tickets and look for the request → review → deploy paper trail.
What we will not do
- Pretend that compliance tooling alone is a control program
- Pass a Type 1 with controls we know will fail in the Type 2 window
- Write policies that copy-paste from another client
- Take a SOC 2 engagement when you should actually be doing ISO 27001 or HITRUST instead
Available as referral or white-label
We deliver SOC 2 readiness directly, sub-contract for security firms whose clients need a SOC 2 specialist, and partner with VC firms who run SOC 2 due-diligence across portfolios. Compensation terms negotiable per relationship.
Related
- ISO 27001 certification — international counterpart, often pursued together with SOC 2
- Penetration testing — recurring requirement for SOC 2 Type 2 attestation
- vCISO — for SaaS companies that need program ownership beyond the audit
