SOC 2 Accelerator: The Eye-Opening Gap Assessment

Last week, I introduced you to three companies embarking on their SOC 2 journey through my Accelerator program. If you missed their profiles, catch up here:

The 90-Day SOC 2 Roadmap

Here's how we transform startups into enterprise-ready companies:

1. Week 0: Foundations

   • Identify SOC 2 report type

   • Define audit scope

2. Weeks 1-10: Implementation

   • Perform gap assessment

   • Remediate gaps

   • Implement security controls

3. Weeks 11-12: Validation

   • Complete readiness assessment

   • Prepare for audit

Week 0: First Steps

Step 1: Identify Your SOC 2 Report Type

Type 1 is ideal when:

• You need to demonstrate compliance quickly for deal closure

• Your company is early-stage or recently implemented security systems

• You want to verify controls at a specific point in time

Type 2 is better when:

• You need to prove controls function effectively over time (3-12 months)

• You're targeting long-term enterprise partnerships

• You have a mature security posture

Here you can find an entire post about SOC 2 Reports:

Step 2: Define Your Audit Scope

The five Trust Services Categories:

• Security (mandatory)

• Availability

• Process Integrity

• Confidentiality

• Privacy

Only Security is required - select others based on your specific use case and customer requirements.

More details on the SOC 2 scope:

Week 1: The Eye-Opening Gap Assessment

This week is crucial - it's where founders often have their "aha" moment. Here's why: Most SaaS products start as MVPs focused on features and traction. That's exactly how it should be! But once you hit product-market fit, it's time to level up your security game.

The Assessment Framework

I've developed a comprehensive assessment that maps directly to SOC 2 controls. Here's what we evaluate:

1. Securing the Code

• Access Control: Repository permissions, MFA implementation, merge protocols

• Build Process: Code history retention, build logs, release management

• Change Management: Product changelog processes

• Code Reviews: Two-human verification requirement

• Code Analysis: Static and dynamic vulnerability scanning

• Dependency Management: Library and container updates

• Feature Testing: Manual and automated security procedures

• Release Signing: Binary and code authentication

You can find more details about the code security and SDLC here:

2. Securing the Infrastructure

• Access Control: Cloud console and host access protocols

• Backup Management: Testing and verification procedures

• Change Management: Infrastructure modification protocols

• Configuration Scanning: Misconfiguration detection

• Data Handling: Customer data protection measures

• Encryption: At-rest and in-flight data protection

• Endpoint Management: Laptop security and malicious code detection

• Telemetry: Availability and security monitoring

• Vendor Management: Third-party risk assessment

• Vulnerability Management: Host and container scanning

More insights about securing your infrastructure:

3. Securing the Company

• Board Governance: Senior leadership expertise

• Business Continuity: Incident response planning

• Legal Framework: Contract reviews and compliance

• Employee Lifecycle:

  • Onboarding: Background checks, training, legal agreements

  • Offboarding: Access removal, performance management

• Policy Management: Security control documentation

• Risk Analysis: Internal and external risk evaluation

Why you should secure your company:

The Assessment Process

Based on previous audits and SOC 2 controls, this assessment:

• Maps questions to specific SOC 2 controls

• Generates a detailed gap analysis report

• Creates an actionable remediation dashboard

• Provides clear, prioritized to-do lists

Want Your Own Gap Analysis?

I'm offering my complete security assessment questionnaire to newsletter subscribers. Reply to this email for access to:

• Full assessment framework

• Detailed gap report

• Custom remediation plan

See you next week as we dive into remediation strategies!

Adam