What is the difference between SOC 2 Type I and Type II?

SOC 2 Type I evaluates whether your controls are properly designed at a specific point in time. SOC 2 Type II evaluates whether those controls operated effectively over a period of 6 to 12 months. Most startups begin with Type I.

Do startups really need SOC 2?

If you sell to enterprise customers, yes. More than 80% of enterprise procurement teams now require SOC 2 reports from SaaS vendors.

How much does a SOC 2 audit cost?

The audit fee ranges from $20,000 to $60,000 for Type I and $30,000 to $100,000+ for Type II. PTG guided implementation keeps total first-year costs in the $40,000 to $90,000 range.

Can we use Vanta or Drata with PTG?

Yes. Vanta and Drata handle evidence collection and monitoring. PTG implements the technical controls that the software monitors. The combination is the fastest path to SOC 2.

How many Trust Service Criteria do we need?

Security is required. Most startups add Availability and Confidentiality. PTG recommends the criteria that match your sales requirements during the readiness assessment.

What if we fail the audit?

With PTG guided implementation, the risk is very low because we implement and test controls before the auditor arrives. PTG remediates any findings immediately.

How does SOC 2 relate to other compliance frameworks?

SOC 2 shares significant overlap with HIPAA, CMMC, ISO 27001, and NIST 800-53. PTG designs unified control sets that satisfy multiple frameworks simultaneously.

SOC 2 for Startups

SOC 2 Compliance Audit-Ready in 90 Days

The fastest path from zero compliance to SOC 2 audit readiness for startups. Policy writing, control implementation, evidence collection, and auditor coordination in a single guided program.

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Schedule a Consultation Call 919-601-1601

Trust Criteria

The Five Trust Service Criteria

SOC 2 evaluates your organization against five criteria. Most startups begin with Security and add others as customers require them.

Security (Required)

Protection against unauthorized access. The only mandatory criterion and the foundation of every SOC 2 audit.

Availability

System uptime and performance commitments. Required when SLAs are part of your customer contracts.

Processing Integrity

Data processing accuracy and completeness. Important for financial, analytics, and data pipeline companies.

Confidentiality

Protection of confidential information. Required when you handle customer trade secrets or proprietary data.

Privacy

Personal information handling practices. Required for companies processing PII under privacy regulations.

AI Security Considerations

Startups using AI need additional controls for model governance, data handling, and output validation.

Process

How PTG Gets Startups SOC 2 Ready

Gap analysis against SOC 2 requirements

Policy writing tailored to your stack

Control implementation in your environment

Automated evidence collection setup

Penetration testing and vulnerability assessment

Auditor coordination and evidence package delivery

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Type I and Type II?

Type I evaluates your controls at a point in time. Type II evaluates them over a period (usually 6-12 months). Most enterprises require Type II. We recommend starting with Type I to unblock deals quickly.

How much does SOC 2 cost for a startup?

Audit fees range from $15,000-$50,000 depending on scope. Our preparation services are separate and designed to ensure you pass the first time, avoiding costly re-audits.

Can we use compliance software instead?

Software tracks tasks but cannot implement controls, write custom policies, or prepare evidence packages. Our CaaS program does the actual work.

How do we maintain compliance after the audit?

We provide ongoing monitoring, annual renewal preparation, and continuous evidence collection so you stay audit-ready year-round.

Get Started

Get SOC 2 Ready in 90 Days

Schedule a gap analysis to start your compliance journey.

Schedule a Consultation Call 919-601-1601