Free SOC 2 Checklist from Stronta
The first time a prospect asks if you have SOC 2, it’s hard not to get a pit in your stomach.
Even if you’ve done SOC 2 before, it’s a daunting undertaking. But if you’re new to SOC 2, it’s hard to even know what you don’t know.
The most important fact to know: SOC 2 Type 2 certification requires an absolute minimum of three months to complete: even if your business has everything in place for immediate certification, auditors require a minimum three-month observation window. (A more realistic minimum is four months, since evidence gathering and audit initiation cannot be meaningfully completed in less than one month.) Because most organizations are not audit-ready at the outset, a more typical timeline is six to eight months. Not exactly welcome news when a major deal depends on compliance.
How can you minimize your time to certification? That’s where Stronta’s free SOC 2 checklist comes in. The checklist gives you a quick overview of what to expect, plus a clear, actionable plan for both starting the process, and seeing it through.
Log in (it’s free!) in under 10 seconds with Google, Microsoft, or your email address. Click the ‘Resources’ tab, download the checklist, and relax in the knowledge that you’ve got this.
The checklist covers the following topics:
- Project scoping: which certification to seek, which resources are included, and which automation tool(s) we recommend.
- Policy foundation: which policies your organization should write and adopt.
- Risk and vendor management: how to assess and manage your vendors and external risks in a compliant way.
- Security controls: which information security controls and tools will help ensure compliance.
- Operations: which procedures to adopt and processes to conduct.
- Technical safeguards: tests, scans, and procedures to ensure safe development and data handling.
- Evidence collection and audit readiness: how to ensure that your organization has collected the data your auditor will require.
Again, getting a copy of the checklist is free and quick: simply log in to your free Stronta account, click on the Resources tab, and download your checklist. Need further help? Stronta offers custom consulting plans tailored to your business. Email us at hello@stronta.com and allow us to walk you through our options for accelerating your compliance timeline, and easing your compliance burden.
FAQ
What is SOC 2?
SOC 2 is a security framework developed by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) that defines criteria for managing customer data. It’s built around five trust services categories: Security, Availability, Processing Integrity, Confidentiality, and Privacy. SOC 2 is widely used by SaaS and technology companies to demonstrate that they handle customer data securely. A SOC 2 audit results in a formal report issued by an independent CPA firm, which can be shared with prospects and customers as proof of compliance.
What is the difference between SOC 2 Type I and SOC 2 Type 2?
A SOC 2 Type I report evaluates whether an organization’s security controls are well-designed and implemented at a single point in time. A SOC 2 Type 2 report goes further, evaluating whether those controls are both suitably designed and operated effectively over a sustained observation period (typically three months to a year). Most customers and prospects expect a Type 2 report, as it demonstrates an ongoing commitment to compliance.
How long does it take to get SOC 2 certified?
SOC 2 Type 2 certification requires a minimum three-month auditor observation window. Even for organizations that are 100% audit-ready, at least one month is typically required for evidence gathering ahead of the audit window. In practice, most organizations need three to six months of preparation time. Starting with a clear checklist and timeline is one of the most effective ways to understand your path to compliance and reduce your time to certification.
What are the five SOC 2 trust services categories?
The five trust services categories are Security (required for all SOC 2 reports), Availability (typically relevant for SaaS companies), Confidentiality (typically relevant for SaaS companies), Processing Integrity (generally for financial and transaction-processing companies), and Privacy (applicable to companies that collect personal data from individuals). Most SaaS companies pursue Security, Availability, and Confidentiality as their core categories.
What does a SOC 2 compliance checklist include?
A comprehensive SOC 2 checklist covers the full readiness lifecycle: project scoping (selecting certification type, trust services categories, and tools); policy drafting and approval; risk and vendor management: security control implementation; operations and training; technical safeguards such as penetration testing and vulnerability scanning; and evidence collection and audit readiness. Stronta’s free checklist walks through each of these phases with actionable steps - download it by logging into your free Stronta account and visiting the Resources tab.