Achieving SOC 2 compliance is a critical milestone for SaaS companies and technology providers, especially those looking to scale. It signals to customers, partners, and stakeholders that your organization takes data security seriously and has the controls in place to protect customer data against unauthorized access. But the journey doesn’t end with a SOC 2 report. Maintaining that compliance, and proving it continuously, requires more than just passing an audit.
In this article, we’ll go beyond the basics of SOC 2 compliance to help security leaders navigate the full process with confidence. You'll learn what it takes to prepare for and pass an audit, avoid common pitfalls, and maintain compliance over time. We'll also explore how continuous testing supports ongoing audit readiness and share a practical SOC 2 checklist to guide your efforts. As always, if you have questions, our team of experts is here to help.
SOC 2 stands for "System and Organization Controls 2." It was developed by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) that evaluates how an organization manages customer data based on the Trust Services Criteria: security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy. It's designed specifically for service providers that store or process customer data in the cloud.
SOC 2 is not a one-size-fits-all framework. It gives organizations the flexibility to design their own controls, as long as they align with the Trust Services Criteria. The outcome is a SOC 2 report that demonstrates to customers, partners, and auditors that your organization has the right safeguards in place to reduce risk.
There are two types of SOC 2 reports:
For organizations looking to build long-term trust and signal maturity, a SOC 2 Type II report is the gold standard.
SOC 2 compliance is especially important for SaaS companies, cloud-based service providers, and vendors that handle customer data. It’s often required during procurement processes, third-party risk assessments, and due diligence by enterprise clients.
If you’re storing, processing, or transmitting customer data, SOC 2 isn’t just a nice-to-have. It’s quickly becoming table stakes. Many prospects, customers and partners often ask for formal proof that your security program meets recognized standards, and a SOC 2 report provides that assurance.
Beyond external validation, SOC 2 also plays a critical role in strengthening internal processes. Preparing for an audit requires teams to closely examine how data is handled across the organization, including access controls, monitoring practices, and enforcement of data security policies. It encourages teams to formalize documentation, identify and close process gaps, and build consistent security practices that protect sensitive information. This level of internal alignment helps reduce risk, improve operational efficiency, and create a stronger foundation for secure growth.
Getting SOC 2 compliant isn’t a quick checkbox exercise. It takes planning, cross-functional collaboration, and a commitment to long-term accountability. Here’s an overview of what the process looks like:
SOC 2 is meant to be flexible, but that flexibility often introduces complexity. Here are some challenges organizations face:
The biggest misconception? That passing the audit means you’re secure. SOC 2 compliance is not a guarantee of security, it’s a baseline that must be maintained continuously.
SOC 2 Type II is all about demonstrating the operating effectiveness of your controls over time. That means ongoing evidence, not just annual check-ins. This is where continuous security testing comes into play.
Modern day security teams are turning to platforms like Inspectiv to help:
Solutions like Pentesting as a Service and Bug Bounty as a Service allow you to simulate real-world attacks and show auditors that your security controls don’t just exist—they work.
Use this high-level checklist to understand what you’ll need for SOC 2 compliance. This checklist isn’t exhaustive, but it covers the critical elements that will help you prepare for a SOC 2 audit and maintain compliance beyond it.
SOC 2 compliance means your organization has controls in place to safeguard data and has been evaluated by an independent auditor against the AICPA’s Trust Services Criteria.
Not legally, but it is widely required in B2B and enterprise contracts.
SOC 1 focuses on financial reporting controls, while SOC 2 evaluates security, availability, and confidentiality controls relevant to data handling.
The AICPA (American Institute of Certified Public Accountants).
Not higher, just different. SOC 3 reports are more general and intended for public consumption, while SOC 2 reports are detailed and confidential.
SOC 2 compliance is more than a badge, it’s a reflection of how seriously your organization takes security. Achieving that first report is a win. Maintaining it through continuous validation is how you build lasting trust.
The most forward-thinking teams treat compliance as an outcome of good security not the other way around.
If you're ready to move beyond checklists and point-in-time testing, talk to us about how Inspectiv can support your compliance journey with continuous security testing, actionable insights, and audit-ready evidence.here to help