SOC 2 is a security framework that proves to customers your company protects their data. This checklist covers the five Trust Service Criteria, Security, Availability, Processing Integrity, Confidentiality, and Privacy, with the specific controls you need to implement before your audit.
SOC 2 (System and Organization Controls 2) is an auditing framework developed by the AICPA. It evaluates how your organization handles customer data based on five “Trust Service Criteria.”
Type I vs Type II: Type I evaluates your controls at a single point in time. Type II evaluates them over a period (usually 6-12 months). Enterprise customers typically require Type II.
Why it matters: Enterprise customers, especially in SaaS, fintech, and healthcare, increasingly require SOC 2 before signing contracts. It has become table stakes for B2B companies.
Security is always required. The other four criteria are optional, choose them based on your customers’ requirements.
Realistic timeline: 3-6 months for Type II readiness, depending on your starting point.
If you’re starting from scratch with no formal security program, expect closer to 6 months. If you already have SSO, endpoint management, and basic policies, you can move faster.
The audit observation period for Type II is typically 3-12 months. Most companies choose 6 months for the first audit.
Launchpad is a SOC 2-certified platform. Clients who onboard inherit all of those controls from day one, so we start collecting evidence immediately and supercharge your compliance journey, rapidly reaching audit readiness for both SOC 2 Type I and Type II reports.
We integrate deeply with Secureframe and offer vCISO services to help you meet your compliance needs fast, and exceed both auditor and client expectations.
MARFI keeps you audit-ready with continuous compliance monitoring and automated evidence collection, so SOC 2 stops being a fire drill.