Resource Hub · SOC 2
SOC 2 — The Complete Hub
The attestation US enterprise buyers demand: Type I vs II, Trust Services Criteria and the fastest credible path to your report.
The complete SOC 2 graph
Every SOC 2 asset on this site — guides, tools, evidence, proof and the commercial path — one hop from here.
SOC 2 is how SaaS and technology companies prove security to US and global enterprise buyers. Deals stall without it; procurement teams ask for a Type II report before signing. For Indian SaaS selling into the US, SOC 2 is the single most deal-critical attestation.
This hub organises CyberSigma's SOC 2 content — criteria explainers, Type I/II decisions, costs and comparisons — into the readiness path we run with senior auditors.
Who this applies to
- SaaS, cloud and product companies selling to US/global enterprises.
- Fintechs and healthtechs handling customer data under DPAs.
- Startups hitting their first enterprise security review or diligence.
- Triggers: enterprise prospect demands SOC 2, funding diligence, Type II renewal.
The compliance journey
- 1. Understand SOC 2 — read the guide Trust Services Criteria and what auditors test.
- 2. Choose Type I or II — read the guide Point-in-time design vs operating effectiveness.
- 3. Budget & plan — read the guide Realistic cost and timeline in India.
- 4. Get ready — read the guide Gap assessment, controls, evidence collection.
- 5. Audit & report — read the guide Observation window, audit coordination, report delivery.
Everything in this cluster
Learn
Compare
Prepare
Tools & assessments
Common mistakes to avoid
- Choosing Type I when the buyer wants Type II — you may still have to run the observation window afterwards, losing time.
- Under-scoping the Trust Services Criteria — most SaaS needs Security plus one or more of Availability, Confidentiality, Processing Integrity or Privacy.
- Leaving evidence collection to the last week — Type II tests controls over months; evidence has to be gathered continuously.
- Duplicating effort — running SOC 2 and ISO 27001 as separate projects when their controls heavily overlap.
What it costs and how long it takes
SOC 2 cost combines readiness consulting and the CPA/audit-firm attestation fee. Indian delivery is typically well below US-only providers for the same AICPA-standard outcome. Type I readiness is weeks; a first Type II adds the observation window your customers require. The fastest payback is when SOC 2 unblocks an enterprise deal already waiting to close.
How CyberSigma delivers
- Scope & criteria selection — pick the Trust Services Criteria your buyers actually require.
- Gap assessment & controls — implement and document the controls, with evidence collection set up from day one.
- Observation & audit coordination — run the Type II window and coordinate the attestation.
- Report delivery — a SOC 2 report your enterprise buyers accept, with a path to annual renewal.
Frequently asked questions
Type I or Type II — which do buyers accept?
Most enterprise buyers ultimately want Type II (controls operating over 3–12 months). Type I is a credible fast first step while your Type II window runs.
How long does SOC 2 take?
Type I readiness in 6–10 weeks for most SaaS teams; Type II adds the observation window your customers require (commonly 3–6 months for a first report).
What does SOC 2 cost in India?
Meaningfully less than US-only providers for the same AICPA-standard outcome — see our cost guide for readiness + audit fee bands by company size.
Can we do SOC 2 and ISO 27001 together?
Yes — the control overlap is large. We map shared requirements once and reuse evidence, which is usually cheaper than sequential projects.
Talk to a senior auditor
Scoping within 48 hours — CERT-In empanelled, PCI QSA authorised, never junior testers.