SOC 2 Type II certification that doesn't derail your team or your timeline

Correct. Type II requires demonstrating controls operated effectively over a minimum period (typically 6-12 months). You can't shortcut this. Timeline: 3-4 months to build controls + 6-12 months operating period + 1-2 months for audit = 10-18 months minimum. Anyone promising Type II in 3-6 months total is either misleading you or doesn't understand SOC 2.

Great—you're ahead. ISO 27001 and SOC 2 Security overlap significantly (60-70%). We can: map your ISO 27001 controls to SOC 2 Trust Services Criteria, identify SOC 2-specific gaps (evidence requirements, specific procedures), fast-track implementation (typically 3-4 months instead of 6), potentially combine audits if timing works.

We conduct internal audit/mock audit before engaging the attestation auditor: test all controls like auditor will, review all evidence for completeness, interview staff to validate understanding, identify and fix issues before real audit. If you pass our mock audit, you'll pass the real audit. We don't let you engage auditor until ready.

Always required: Security (mandatory for all SOC 2). Optional criteria: Availability (if you have uptime SLAs or availability commitments), Processing Integrity (if you process transactions or data needing accuracy/completeness), Confidentiality (if you handle confidential information beyond personal data), Privacy (if you process significant personal data). Start with Security only unless customers specifically require others. You can always add criteria later.

Minor findings can usually be remediated quickly and auditor re-tests. Major findings might require extending the audit period or re-auditing. Our mock audit prevents this—we identify major issues before engaging auditor. In 60+ implementations, we've had only 2 clients receive major findings, both due to changes made after mock audit against our advice.

Yes. Implementation happens in parallel with operations: Policy and procedure development: minimal team time. Control implementation: focused engineering effort (typically 2-4 weeks spread over 2 months). Evidence collection: automated where possible. Training: 2-4 hours per staff member. Most intensive involvement: 5-10 hours/week during control implementation phase.

Annual surveillance audits: Every year, auditor re-examines controls to ensure they're still operating effectively. Lighter than initial audit but still requires evidence and testing. Continuous operation: You must maintain controls year-round. If controls drift or evidence collection stops, you'll have issues at surveillance audit. Control updates: As your systems and processes change, controls need updating. We provide 3 months of post-attestation support for first surveillance audit preparation.