When a prospect asks for your SOC 2 report before signing a contract, timing suddenly becomes urgent. Unfortunately, SOC 2 is not something you can produce in a few days. The total timeline depends on how ready your security program is, which report type you need, and how long your audit observation period lasts. Most companies should expect somewhere between three months and a year from kickoff to a finished Type 2 report.
Note that SOC 2 is technically an attestation report from a CPA firm, not a certification, though the terms are often used interchangeably. Here is a breakdown of each phase.
Phase 1: Readiness Assessment (2 To 6 Weeks)
A readiness assessment compares your current controls with the Trust Services Criteria you plan to include. It identifies gaps in policies, technical controls, and evidence collection. Companies with mature IT operations may find only a few gaps. Others discover they need to build significant parts of their program.
Phase 2: Remediation (1 To 4 Months)
This phase closes the gaps found during readiness. Common work includes:
- Writing or updating security policies
- Implementing multi-factor authentication and access reviews
- Deploying endpoint protection, logging, and monitoring
- Formalizing change management
- Setting up vulnerability scanning and patch management
- Creating incident response and business continuity plans
- Launching security awareness training
- Establishing vendor risk reviews
The length of this phase depends heavily on available resources. Partnering with an IT and security provider that already runs these controls can shorten it considerably.
Phase 3: Type 1 Audit (Optional, 2 To 6 Weeks)
Some companies obtain a Type 1 report first. The auditor evaluates control design as of a single date. Once fieldwork is complete, the report is typically issued within a few weeks. A Type 1 can satisfy customers while you work toward Type 2.
Phase 4: Type 2 Observation Period (3 To 12 Months)
A Type 2 report evaluates whether controls operated effectively over time. The observation period is commonly between three and twelve months. Your first Type 2 often uses a shorter period to get a report into customers’ hands sooner, with later reports covering a full year.
During this period you must perform and document controls consistently: quarterly access reviews, onboarding and offboarding steps, change approvals, backup tests, and alert reviews.
Phase 5: Audit Fieldwork And Report (4 To 8 Weeks)
After the observation period ends, the auditor samples evidence, interviews staff, and tests controls. Then they draft and finalize the report. Responsive teams with organized evidence move through this phase much faster.
Example Timelines
- Well-prepared company, Type 1: roughly 2 to 3 months total
- Well-prepared company, first Type 2 with 3-month window: roughly 5 to 7 months
- Company starting from scratch, Type 2: roughly 9 to 15 months
How To Speed Things Up
- Start the readiness assessment as early as possible
- Assign one internal owner to coordinate the project
- Use automation to collect evidence continuously
- Choose your auditor early and agree on scope and timing
- Rely on managed services for monitoring, patching, and backups so controls run consistently
What To Tell Customers While You Wait
If a customer needs assurance before your report is ready, share a letter from your auditor confirming the engagement, your readiness results, or a completed security questionnaire. Many customers accept these as interim evidence when they see a clear timeline.
After Your First Report
SOC 2 reports are typically renewed every year, with each Type 2 covering the period since the last one. Building compliance into daily operations makes each year’s audit easier than the last.
CTS Companies helps Michigan businesses prepare for SOC 2 compliance and run the technical controls auditors test. Talk to an expert about building a realistic SOC 2 timeline.