SOC 2 Clinic #1

After getting tons of questions about SOC 2—everything from scope and policies to audits and tools—I’m excited to introduce the SOC 2 Clinic! Here’s how it works: simply send me your SOC 2 questions, and I’ll cover them in our next session. Whatever’s on your mind—big or small, technical or strategic—I’m here to help make SOC 2 compliance simpler and support your business’s growth.

Q: My biggest client just asked for SOC 2 compliance. Is it possible for a small startup (1-3 people) to achieve SOC 2, and what would it cost?

A: Great news! SOC 2 compliance isn’t as complex as it sounds. Many of my clients initially feel like it’s this massive, "enterprise-only" undertaking, completely out of reach for a small SaaS startup due to high costs and complexity.

Yes, if you go the traditional route, SOC 2 certification could cost anywhere from $30k to $50k. But here’s the good news: with a smarter approach, you can achieve SOC 2 for much less.

For example, a recent SaaS startup I worked with completed their SOC 2 compliance for around $10k. This included the cost of the audit, along with consulting services to help them prepare policies and guide them through the process. The tech co-founder also invested about 40 hours into implementing essential requirements like a comprehensive backup solution and multi-factor authentication (MFA).

SOC 2 compliance is absolutely achievable, plan it for your SaaS and join the big boys’ table.

Q: Should I Use Compliance Automation Platforms?

A: Don’t get me wrong—compliance automation platforms can be helpful, but they often come with a steep learning curve and a price tag of up to $10k annually (audit not included). Plus, many vendors increase prices after the first year, and you may find yourself locked into a single platform. For that kind of investment, you could also hire an external firm to manage all the administrative controls and documentation. Either way, you'll still need to handle the technical controls within your systems or cloud, along with some administrative responsibilities.

From my experience, I’ve successfully helped small startups (with just a handful of employees) achieve SOC 2 Type 2 compliance without using any dedicated compliance platforms—just SharePoint and Jira. And these reports came back with no issues or exceptions. I’ve also worked with enterprises (2,000+ employees) that rely solely on GitHub and SharePoint to meet a wide range of compliance standards, including ISO9001, ISO27001, SOC 2, and HIPAA.

In the end, it really depends on your setup and budget. If you have a dedicated compliance team and can allocate around $30k per year, then a compliance platform might make sense for you. Otherwise, there are plenty of effective, low-cost ways to get the job done.

Q: SOC 2 or ISO27001? Which One Should I Choose?

A: The main difference lies in their focus and approach. SOC 2 provides specific guidelines on protecting customer data from unauthorized access, security incidents, and vulnerabilities—making it very actionable, especially for SaaS companies. It’s also widely recognized in the U.S. market, so if you're targeting American clients, SOC 2 is often the preferred choice.

ISO 27001, on the other hand, is an international standard that outlines the requirements for establishing, maintaining, and continually improving an information security management system (ISMS). It’s a comprehensive framework for managing sensitive information, but it’s less specific than SOC 2 when it comes to actionable controls. ISO 27001 is ideal if you're aiming for global recognition or if you want a structured, long-term approach to managing information security.

In short, I find SOC 2 more practical for small to mid-sized SaaS companies, especially those focused on U.S. markets. However, ISO 27001 could be a better fit if you’re pursuing a global client base and want a more extensive, standardized approach.

What can SOC2 Clinic do for your business?

As a business owner considering SOC 2 compliance, you must have a thousand questions about the process. Am I right? Join a SOC 2 Clinic, where I’ll equip you with the tools to ace your SOC 2 certification and guide you through the process. No question is out of bounds. Fire away!

• Want to know how to implement and manage SOC 2 controls effectively?

• Need advice on SOC 2 documentation?

• Curious about how to meet the requirements of the SOC 2 standard?

• Wondering if your business really needs SOC 2 compliance?

• Looking for the fastest, easiest path to SOC 2 certification?

• Want the lowdown on my SOC 2 Toolkit?

• Wish you could achieve SOC 2 compliance without the heavy lifting? (This one’s worth its weight in gold!)

Let’s make SOC 2 compliance straightforward and stress-free!

Just hit reply and send over your questions—I’m here to help, so take advantage of it and let’s get you on the fast track to compliance!