Your SOC 2 Audits Guide

A SOC 2 audit is one of the most important milestones for any company that handles customer data. For some, it feels straightforward at the start only to become a cycle of evidence requests, delays, and manual spreadsheets. For others, no amount of preparation seems enough.

It doesn’t have to be that way. Whether you’re pursuing SOC 2 for the first time or looking for a smarter approach, this guide will give you a clear understanding of the process and how Complyance helps teams reduce stress, cut costs, and move faster.

What is SOC 2 Compliance?

SOC 2 (System and Organization Controls 2) is a framework developed by the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA). It’s designed to assess how companies manage customer data against five Trust Services Criteria:

• Security – Protect systems and data from unauthorized access.
• Availability – Ensure information and systems are available for use.
• Processing Integrity – Verify processing is complete, valid, accurate, timely, and authorized.
• Confidentiality – Keep sensitive information protected.
• Privacy – Handle personal data in line with policies and commitments.

For prospects, customers, and investors, a SOC 2 report is proof that your organization takes data protection seriously.

What is a SOC 2 Audit?

A SOC 2 audit is an independent review conducted by a licensed CPA firm. It evaluates whether your company’s policies, practices, and controls meet the SOC 2 criteria.

There are two main types:

• SOC 2 Type I – A point-in-time review of whether controls are properly designed.
• SOC 2 Type II – A longer assessment (typically 6–12 months) of whether controls actually operate effectively over time.

Type I is often the starting point; Type II is what most enterprise customers expect.

Why SOC 2 Matters

SOC 2 has become a baseline requirement for doing business in many industries. Even if it’s not a legal mandate, enterprise buyers will almost always ask for it.

A SOC 2 report:

• Builds customer trust by showing you meet security standards.
• Accelerates sales cycles by removing compliance as a blocker.
• Creates stronger internal controls and visibility into your risk posture.

The Challenges of SOC 2

• Manual burden: Collecting and organizing evidence is time-consuming.
• Multiple frameworks: Many companies need to align SOC 2 with ISO, HIPAA, or others, creating duplication.
• Under-resourced teams: With 1–5 GRC staff on average in enterprises, compliance is rarely anyone’s only job.

This is where automation, configurability, and support can make the difference between a painful audit and a smooth one.

How Complyance Streamlines SOC 2

• Agentic AI for Evidence Prep
  
  Our AI agents automate evidence collection, validation, and reporting, cutting prep time by up to 60%.
  
  
• Deep Configurability for the Nuance of Compliance
  
  Every company is different. Complyance lets you tailor workflows, policies, and controls without coding, so SOC 2 fits your environment instead of forcing rigid templates.
  
  
• Partnership and Support
  
  We don’t just hand you software. Our team partners with you from onboarding through audits, ensuring adoption, accuracy, and ROI.
  
  
• Unlimited Users and Rapid Deployment
  
  Bring everyone into the process without worrying about seat licenses. And go live in weeks, not quarters.
  

SOC 2 Audit Timelines and Costs

Audit timelines vary, but Type I reports can often be completed in weeks, while Type II typically spans 6–12 months. Costs depend on company size, scope, and complexity.

With Complyance, much of the manual effort is eliminated, evidence is automatically gathered, and timelines shortenmeaning fewer delays and lower cost compared to traditional approaches.

Steps to SOC 2 Readiness

1. Identify your Trust Services Criteria (Security is mandatory).
2. Map policies and controls to SOC 2 requirements.
3. Implement monitoring and evidence collection processes.
4. Choose an independent auditor.
5. Automate evidence prep and streamline workflows with a platform like Complyance.
6. Undergo SOC 2 Type I → progress to Type II.

FAQs

What’s the biggest mistake companies make during a SOC 2 audit? Underestimating the prep time. Many teams think they can “fix it as they go,” but evidence gaps and unclear ownership cause major delays. Automating evidence prep upfront avoids this.

Do SOC 2 reports expire? Yes. Most customers will only accept reports issued within the last 12 months. This is why SOC 2 often becomes an annual cycle.

Can SOC 2 be combined with other frameworks? Yes! In fact, most enterprises align SOC 2 with ISO, HIPAA, or PCI. Complyance lets you map controls once and apply them across frameworks, cutting duplicate work.

Is a SOC 2 audit worth it if we’re a non-US company? Absolutely. SOC 2 is US-based but widely recognized as a global trust standard. Many non-US vendors pursue SOC 2 to win US enterprise contracts.

How much internal effort should we expect? Without automation, it can consume hundreds of hours. With Complyance, many clients see a 50–60% reduction in manual effort.