SOC 2 Readiness for Growing Companies
What Is SOC 2?
SOC 2 is an auditing framework that evaluates how your company protects customer data. It's based on five Trust Service Criteria defined by the AICPA, and it's the report enterprise buyers ask for before signing a contract.
Security
Protection against unauthorized access. Required for every SOC 2 report.
Availability
Systems are operational and accessible as committed.
Processing Integrity
System processing is complete, accurate, and authorized.
Confidentiality
Information designated as confidential is protected.
Privacy
Personal information is collected, used, and retained appropriately.
Who Needs SOC 2, and When?
Enterprise buyers increasingly require SOC 2 reports, even from 10-person companies. If you're selling to mid-market or enterprise accounts, the question isn't if you need SOC 2. it's when.
- You're losing deals because buyers ask for a SOC 2 report you don't have
- Your security questionnaire responses are inconsistent or incomplete
- You handle customer data in cloud infrastructure
- Your sales cycle stalls at vendor security reviews
Resource
Do I Need SOC 2?
A practical guide to deciding if SOC 2 is worth the investment right now, or if you should start with something lighter.
Read the guideOur Approach
Weeks, not months. Here's how we get you from zero to audit-ready.
Gap Assessment
We audit your current environment against SOC 2 requirements and give you a clear, prioritized roadmap.
Controls Implementation
We build the technical controls, configure monitoring, write policies, and connect everything to your real infrastructure.
Evidence Automation
Automated evidence collection tied to the controls we built. No manual screenshots. No spreadsheet tracking.
Audit Preparation
We manage the auditor relationship, prepare evidence packages, and handle questions so your team stays focused on product.
Ongoing Monitoring
Continuous control monitoring catches drift before your next audit cycle. No annual scramble.
The Real Cost of SOC 2
Full-Time CISO
$320K/year
Salary, benefits, and the time it takes to hire one. Most growing companies can't justify it.
Compliance Platform Only
$10K+/year
Automates evidence collection. Still requires someone to build and maintain the controls it measures.
Cloud Sentry
Fraction of either
The team that builds controls AND the automation that proves they work. One partner, not five vendors.
Type 1 vs. Type 2
SOC 2 Type 1
A point-in-time assessment. Confirms your controls are designed correctly as of a specific date. Faster to achieve. A good starting point for companies that need a report now.
SOC 2 Type 2
Evaluates whether your controls operated effectively over a period (typically 6-12 months). This is what enterprise buyers ultimately expect. Cloud Sentry builds you for Type 2 from day one.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does SOC 2 take?
With Cloud Sentry, most companies are audit-ready in 6-8 weeks for Type 1. Type 2 requires an observation period of 6-12 months after controls are in place, but we build for Type 2 from day one so there's no rework.
What's the difference between Type 1 and Type 2?
Type 1 confirms your controls are designed correctly at a point in time. Type 2 proves they operated effectively over a period (6-12 months). Enterprise buyers ultimately want Type 2.
How much does SOC 2 cost?
Auditor fees typically range from $20K-$50K depending on scope. Cloud Sentry's program management, controls implementation, and ongoing monitoring cost a fraction of a full-time CISO hire ($320K). We scope engagements to your size and complexity.
Can we use Vanta or Drata instead?
You can, and we integrate with both. But compliance platforms automate evidence collection against controls that already exist. Someone still needs to build and maintain those controls. That's what we do.
What if we fail the audit?
We don't let you walk into an audit unprepared. Our gap assessment identifies every issue before the auditor arrives, and we remediate findings in real time. We've never had a client fail an audit they were prepared for.
Do small companies need SOC 2?
If you're selling to enterprise buyers, yes. We've helped 10-person companies achieve SOC 2 readiness. Company size doesn't determine whether you need it. Your customers' requirements do.
Ready to get SOC 2 certified?
We'll assess where you stand, build the roadmap, and get you audit-ready. Fast.