SOC 2 Checklist for SaaS
For SaaS startups, SOC 2 is the 'golden ticket' to enterprise deals. Your checklist focuses on securing your software delivery lifecycle and maintaining data isolation.
Critical SAAS Controls
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Complete SOC 2 Checklist
Broken down by compliance domain for SaaS teams.
Software Delivery Lifecycle (SDLC)
- Mandatory peer review for all code changes via GitHub/GitLab PRs.
- Automated testing (unit, integration) required for all production builds.
- Deployment to production restricted to automated CI/CD pipelines.
- Documented roll-back procedure for failed deployments.
Cloud Infrastructure & Security
- All infrastructure managed via Terraform, Pulumi, or CloudFormation.
- Production environment logically separated from dev/staging.
- Container image scanning for vulnerabilities before deployment.
- Cloud configuration logging (CloudTrail) and alerting enabled.
Customer Data & Access
- Logical separation of customer data at the database layer.
- Customer support access to production data is logged and time-limited.
- Customer-facing security features (MFA, SSO, API keys) documented.
- Regular penetration testing of public-facing application endpoints.
Evidence pack to prepare
- •Access review records with approvals
- •Change management tickets with reviewers
- •Incident response runbooks and recent drills
- •Vendor risk assessment summaries
- •System inventory and data flow diagrams
SaaS audit timeline
- 1.Week 1–2: Define scope and control owners
- 2.Week 3–5: Implement evidence collection workflows
- 3.Week 6–8: Run internal readiness review
- 4.Week 9–12: Complete auditor fieldwork and remediation
Common SaaS Pitfalls
Lack of formal documentation for automated CI/CD security checks.
Giving developers permanent "admin" access to production environments.
Not having a formal process for vetting third-party libraries (NPM/PyPI).
Inconsistent encryption of customer backups and database snapshots.
Raphael N
Head of Compliance Strategy
Raphael leads go-to-market compliance strategy for high-growth SaaS and AI teams. With over a decade of experience across Big Four firms and fintech startups, he specializes in translating complex SOC 2 requirements into automated, engineering-friendly workflows.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the first step in SOC 2 Checklist for SaaS?
The first step is conducting a gap analysis to understand your current security posture relative to SOC 2 requirements. This identifies what controls you already have and what needs to be implemented.
How long does SOC 2 Checklist for SaaS typically take?
For most mid-sized companies, the process takes 3-6 months. This includes 2-3 months for readiness prep and control implementation, followed by the audit period and report generation.
What are the core requirements for SOC 2 Checklist for SaaS?
Core requirements include established security policies, evidence of operational controls (like access reviews and vulnerability scans), and documented risk management processes aligned with SOC 2 standards.
Can we automate SOC 2 Checklist for SaaS?
Yes, compliance automation platforms can reduce manual effort by up to 80% through continuous evidence collection and automated control monitoring. However, you still need to define and own the underlying security processes.
About RiscLens
Our mission is to provide transparency and clarity to early-stage technology companies navigating the complexities of SOC 2 (System and Organization Controls 2) compliance.
Who we serve
Built specifically for early-stage and growing technology companies—SaaS, fintech, and healthcare tech—preparing for their first SOC 2 audit or responding to enterprise customer requirements.
What we provide
Clarity before commitment. We help teams understand realistic cost ranges, timeline expectations, and common gaps before they engage auditors or expensive compliance vendors.
Our Boundaries
We do not provide legal advice, audit services, or certifications. Our assessments support internal planning—they are not a substitute for professional compliance guidance.
SOC 2 (System and Organization Controls 2) is a voluntary compliance standard for service organizations, developed by the AICPA, which specifies how organizations should manage customer data based on the Trust Services Criteria: security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy.
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