SOC 2 Type II Compliance

SOC 2 Type II Compliance

Your clients demand proof that you protect their data. SOC 2 Type II certification provides that proof—demonstrating your commitment to security through independent attestation. Whether you’re pursuing your first SOC 2 audit or maintaining existing certification, Pylon Technology provides the expertise and infrastructure to ensure success.

What is SOC 2?

SOC 2 (System and Organization Controls 2) is an auditing standard developed by the AICPA that evaluates how service organizations manage and protect customer data. Unlike compliance frameworks with fixed requirements, SOC 2 is customized based on the Trust Services Criteria relevant to your business.

The Five Trust Services Criteria:

  1. Security: Protection against unauthorized access
  2. Availability: System and data accessibility as committed
  3. Processing Integrity: Complete, accurate, timely processing
  4. Confidentiality: Protection of confidential information
  5. Privacy: Collection, use, retention, and disclosure practices

Most organizations focus on Security (mandatory) plus one or more additional criteria.

Type I vs. Type II

SOC 2 Type I: Point-in-time assessment of control design

  • Faster to achieve (2-3 months typical)
  • Lower cost
  • Proves controls exist and are properly designed
  • Good starting point for new programs

SOC 2 Type II: Assessment of control operating effectiveness over time (typically 6-12 months)

  • More comprehensive and valuable
  • Requires sustained evidence of control operation
  • Preferred by enterprise clients
  • Industry standard for SaaS and technology companies

Our SOC 2 Services

Readiness Assessment

Before engaging an auditor, we assess your current state and create a roadmap to certification.

Deliverables:

  • Gap analysis against Trust Services Criteria
  • Prioritized remediation plan
  • Timeline and resource requirements
  • Vendor and auditor recommendations
  • Estimated costs and budget

Timeline: 1-2 weeks

Control Implementation

We don’t just document—we implement the technical controls required for SOC 2 compliance.

Technical Controls:

  • Multi-factor authentication (MFA)
  • Encryption at rest and in transit
  • Network segmentation and firewalls
  • Intrusion detection and prevention
  • Security information and event management (SIEM)
  • Vulnerability scanning and patch management
  • Backup and disaster recovery
  • Change management procedures

Organizational Controls:

  • Access review processes
  • Security awareness training
  • Incident response procedures
  • Vendor management program
  • Risk assessment methodology
  • Business continuity planning

Timeline: 4-12 weeks depending on starting point

Continuous Monitoring

SOC 2 Type II requires evidence of controls operating effectively over time. We automate evidence collection and monitoring.

Automated Evidence:

  • Access reviews and recertifications
  • Vulnerability scan results
  • Patch compliance reports
  • Backup success/failure logs
  • Change management tickets
  • Training completion records
  • Security incident logs

Manual Evidence Support:

  • Quarterly business reviews
  • Annual risk assessments
  • Policy reviews and updates
  • Vendor assessments
  • Penetration testing coordination

Audit Support

When audit time comes, we ensure a smooth process with organized evidence and auditor coordination.

Pre-Audit:

  • Evidence package preparation
  • Policy and procedure review
  • Mock audit / pre-assessment
  • Gap remediation

During Audit:

  • Auditor coordination
  • Evidence provision
  • Question response
  • Issue remediation

Post-Audit:

  • Management response letters
  • Corrective action plans
  • Report review and distribution

SOC 2 for Regulated Industries

We specialize in SOC 2 for clients who must also comply with other frameworks:

SOC 2 + HIPAA

Healthcare SaaS providers need both BAAs and SOC 2 reports. We implement overlapping controls efficiently.

SOC 2 + SEC/FINRA

Fintech companies face dual scrutiny. Our infrastructure satisfies both SOC 2 auditors and regulatory examiners.

SOC 2 + PCI-DSS

Payment processors benefit from control alignment between SOC 2 and PCI-DSS requirements.

Implementation Timeline

Months 1-2: Foundation

  • Readiness assessment
  • Auditor selection
  • Scope definition
  • Control gap remediation begins

Months 3-4: Technical Implementation

  • Deploy security tooling
  • Configure monitoring and logging
  • Implement change management
  • Establish backup procedures

Months 5-6: Process Implementation

  • Document policies and procedures
  • Roll out training programs
  • Conduct initial access reviews
  • Perform risk assessment

Months 7-12: Evidence Collection (Type II)

  • Continuous monitoring and evidence collection
  • Quarterly reviews and adjustments
  • Quarterly auditor touchpoints
  • Remediate any deficiencies

Month 13+: Audit

  • Final evidence package preparation
  • Fieldwork and testing
  • Issue remediation
  • Report issuance

Common SOC 2 Challenges (And How We Solve Them)

Challenge: Resource Constraints

Solution: We serve as your virtual compliance team, handling technical implementation and evidence collection.

Challenge: Audit Complexity

Solution: With 50+ SOC 2 audits completed, we know exactly what auditors need and how to provide it efficiently.

Challenge: Evidence Collection

Solution: Automated evidence collection means you’re not scrambling when the auditor requests proof.

Challenge: Ongoing Maintenance

Solution: Continuous monitoring ensures you’re always audit-ready, not just once a year.

Challenge: Cost Management

Solution: Efficient implementation and automation reduces both initial costs and annual maintenance expenses.

Cost Considerations

Typical SOC 2 Costs:

  • Auditor fees: $15,000 - $50,000 (varies by company size and scope)
  • Tool/technology costs: $5,000 - $20,000 annually
  • Consulting/implementation: $10,000 - $75,000 (one-time)
  • Ongoing maintenance: $2,000 - $10,000 monthly

Our Approach: We right-size your program for your business. A 10-person startup needs different controls than a 500-person enterprise. We focus on cost-effective controls that provide real security benefits, not just checkbox compliance.

SOC 2 Success Stories

SaaS Company (50 employees)

  • Achieved SOC 2 Type II in 8 months
  • Secured 3 enterprise clients requiring SOC 2
  • 3x ROI in first year through new business

Healthcare Technology Provider

  • SOC 2 + HIPAA compliance program
  • Passed first audit with zero exceptions
  • Leveraged SOC 2 report in all RFPs

Fintech Startup

  • Type I in 3 months to meet investor requirements
  • Type II 9 months later
  • Now on annual recertification cycle

Get Started with SOC 2

Ready to Pursue SOC 2 Certification?

Schedule a free SOC 2 readiness assessment. We'll evaluate your current controls, identify gaps, and provide a realistic timeline and budget for achieving certification.

Schedule Assessment Email SOC 2 Team

SOC 2 Resources

Free Downloads:

  • SOC 2 Readiness Checklist
  • Sample Security Policies
  • Control Matrix Template
  • Evidence Collection Guide
  • Auditor Question Bank

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