SOC 2 Timeline
SOC 2 Timeline for Startups
Lean teams can reach Type I quickly if scope stays focused and evidence is organized; Type II depends on consistent logs and access reviews.
Timeline anchors
Lean teams can reach Type I quickly if scope stays focused and evidence is organized; Type II depends on consistent logs and access reviews.
- •Centralized owners and fewer systems accelerate decisions.
- •Shorter path to Type I; Type II depends on evidence maturity.
- •Run pentests and vendor reviews early to avoid blocking audit start.
How to stay on schedule
- Sequence pentests, policy approvals, and access reviews early.
- Hold weekly check-ins with control owners and your auditor.
- Lock observation start/end dates and keep evidence organized.
What extends the timeline
- Missing logging or inconsistent access reviews that require backfill.
- Late scope changes (vendors/systems) that add sampling and walkthroughs.
- Unclear ownership across engineering, IT, and founders.
FAQ
How long does SOC 2 take for SOC 2 Timeline for Startups?
Timelines depend on readiness, tool stack, and how quickly you can gather evidence. Smaller teams can move faster by keeping scope lean and decisions centralized.
What slows SOC 2 timelines down?
Unclear ownership, missing evidence, and last-minute scope additions create churn. Align on systems in scope and assign owners early.
When should we start readiness?
Begin at least a few weeks before you want to sign an audit letter. That gives time to close gaps and plan observation windows.
How does Type II change the calendar?
Type II adds an observation period. Plan for control operation evidence across that window and buffer extra time for sampling.
Where do pentests fit in the schedule?
Schedule pentests before the observation window ends so remediation and retests are complete. Link findings to control evidence.
What should be parallelized?
Policies, tooling, and early evidence collection can run in parallel. Keep a weekly cadence to unblock owners quickly.