Intro

When data breaches shape the Forbes headlines and enterprise clients demand ironclad assurances, SOC 2 stands as a solution for tech companies handling of sensitive information, and also a way to finally start looking credible.

As a tech organization navigating the complexities of cloud services, SaaS platforms, or data processing, achieving SOC 2 isn't just about ticking a box but a strategy that reinforces your security posture, accelerates sales cycles, and positions you as a reliable partner.

At Deepengine, we've seen how proactive and robust vulnerability detection and ongoing threat scanning can underpin these efforts, providing the foundational security that makes compliance achievable without overwhelming the team.

In this write-up, you’ll learn about into the basics of SOC 2, why it’s meaningful for tech teams, the core requirements, when it’s best to adopt, and, of course, the key benefits of this yet another security compliance venture.

So what’s SOC 2 in a nutshell?

SOC 2, or "System and Organization Controls 2", is an auditing standard developed by the AICPA to see how service organizations manage and secure customer data. Unlike rigid certifications like PCI DSS, which give you exact controls, SOC 2 is quite flexible, meaning companies can tailor their internal processes to meet specific needs while focusing on five Trust Services Criteria (TSC): Security, Availability, Processing Integrity, Confidentiality, and Privacy.

Security is the foundational one, it’s mandatory, ensuring systems are protected against unauthorized access, while the others are optional based on your operations. SOC 2 produces an attestation report from an independent Certified Public Accountant (CPA) firm, verifying the design and effectiveness of your controls.

There are two types of these reports:

Type 1 – a point-in-time snapshot of control design, and Type 2, which tests operational effectiveness over a period (typically 6-12 months). This report isn't a "pass/fail" certificate but a detailed evaluation that builds transparency with stakeholders.

In essence, SOC 2 is there to bridge the gap between your tech infrastructure and client expectations, proving that your systems can be resilient against threats like data leaks or downtime. For tech companies, it's similar to a security blueprint that evolves along with your business far from the outdated SAS 70 audits it replaced in 2010.

So why prioritize SOC 2 when resources are scarce?

According to Drata, in a market where 98% of organizations faced attempted cyberattacks last year and breaches cost an average of $4.88 million globally, SOC 2 is becoming a trust indicator, and hence, is a value multiplier.

For tech firms, especially SaaS providers or cloud services, it directly impacts revenue and growth. First, it ensures your reputation. High-profile incidents like Equifax or Yahoo underscore how a single breach erodes customer confidence. SOC 2's rigorous controls, validated by a third-party auditor, can demonstrate that you’re being proactive about your company’s risk management, which really translates into reduced breach likelihood and recovery costs. A 2023 AICPA survey revealed a 50% surge in SOC 2 demand, driven by heightened IT security awareness.

Second, it unlocks enterprise deals. Leads from finance, healthcare, or retail often need SOC 2 reports before signing contracts, viewing it as a minimal vetting threshold. Without it, sales teams waste hours on questionnaires, endless calls, delaying closes, etc. Companies with SOC 2 report faster revenue growth, around 34% of enterprises cite it as a key driver for vendor selection.

For startups, it's a differentiator; for large orgs,the stakes are already way high.

Third, is that it fosters the mindset of internal maturity around security processes. Implementing SOC 2 encourages a security-first culture, especially when overlapping with frameworks like ISO 27001 or HIPAA. This not only minimizes risks but also streamlines future audits, saving time and money.

Vulnerability scanning and management tools like Deepengine, play here a pivotal role, automating threat detection to maintain that edge without manual overhead. Ultimately, SOC 2 transforms compliance from a money-wasted perspective, into a growth engine, building stakeholder trust and enabling scalable operations in a threat-laden world.

Overview of SOC 2 key requirements: Trust Services Criteria

SOC 2's power lies in its Trust Services Criteria (TSC), a set of 33 criteria (updated in 2017 with revised points of focus in 2022) that guide control implementation.

Security (Required criteria) is non-negotiable, consists of nine points like the control environment, risk assessment, and monitoring activities. The other four: availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy, are prioritized based on specifics of your services.

Below is breakdown in table form for clarity:

When is it the right time for tech companies to adopt SOC 2?

Timing is really everything here. Adopt SOC 2 earlier to avoid reactive scrambles. For startups, a good time to start is generally around Series A stage, if you’re targeting enterprise clients, SOC 2 might be one of those key things keeping you away from securing a large contract.

Scaling teams (around 50+ people) should prioritize it when sales questionnaires pile up or contracts stipulate it.

Key stages:

• Pre-Product Launch (Early stage): if already handling user data, integrate TSC into development for built-in security. Doing it early means this will prevent expensive retrofits.

• Growth Phase ($1M+ revenue ): As enterprise deals emerge, SOC 2 becomes a deal-closer. A 2024 PwC report notes 36% of firms faced million-dollar breaches last year, so in a sense, proactive adoption mitigates this.

• Maturity (Annual renewals): Post-Type 2, maintain via continuous monitoring; renew yearly to keep reports fresh.

Tip: conduct a readiness assessment first (3-6 months prep). Budget $10K-$50K for initial audits, less with automation, as suggested by strongdm.

Security tools like Deepengine's pay-as-you-go scanning can jumpstart this by identifying vulnerabilities early, aligning with security TSC without breaking the bank. This helps delaying risks lost opportunities, so it makes sense to start when customer trust becomes your competitive advantage.

Practical steps for achieving and maintaining the SOC 2

1. Scope your audit: define in-scope systems and TSC with stakeholders. Engage a CPA as early as you can to get guidance.

2. Do a gap analysis: map current controls to TSC. Use free AICPA resources or tools for automated scans. Deepengine excels here, offering affordable, Swiss-based vulnerability management to find and resolve security gaps fast.

3. Implement controls: prioritize security; automate where possible (e.g., IAM for access, backups for availability). Train teams, about 80% of breaches involve human error. Automate what you can

4. Collect evidence: automate logging and testing. For other tools aiding SOC 2, look into Vanta for monitoring or Drata for workflows (details at their sites: Vanta, Drata).

5. Undergo audit: opt for Type 1 first if urgent, then Type 2. Take into consideration around 3-12 months, and then use readiness assessments to iterate.

6. Maintain compliance: continuous monitoring is key, renew it annually. Integrate tools like Deepengine for consistent threat scans on IT infrastructure and internal networks, ensuring TSC alignment goes without disruption.

All in all, you should always leverage automation and AI-enabled tools early to cut costs by 50% and time by months.

Deepengine platform's real-time threat detection may not only support your SOC 2 compliance efforts, but elevates your overall resilience, nudging you toward a more secure, and predictable future.

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Conclusion

Often, building trust means accelerating your growth. SOC 2 may seem a difficult, but once taken care of – it's your gateway to longterm partnerships and sustainable innovation. By embracing its TSC, tech companies mitigate risks better, win deals faster, and scale more securely.

Start your path of becoming a secure business today with Deepengine and turn compliance into your superpower! Reach out to us if you need help with getting started.