Frequently Asked Questions

SOC 2 (Service Organization Control 2) is an auditing framework developed by the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) that evaluates how service providers manage and protect customer data. It's based on five Trust Service Criteria: Security (required for all audits), Availability, Processing Integrity, Confidentiality, and Privacy. SOC 2 compliance demonstrates to customers that your organization has implemented proper controls to protect their sensitive information.

With focused effort, organizations can typically achieve SOC 2 readiness in 60-90 days. A Type I audit (point-in-time assessment) can be completed within this timeframe. A Type II audit requires demonstrating controls over a period of time, typically 3-12 months. Our SOC 2 Fast-Track program helps startups achieve audit-ready status in as little as 30 days.

SOC 2 Type I evaluates your security controls at a specific point in time, providing a snapshot of your security posture. SOC 2 Type II examines the effectiveness of those controls over a period of time (typically 3-12 months). Type II reports are more comprehensive and preferred by enterprise customers, but Type I can be valuable for demonstrating initial compliance quickly.

SOC 2 compliance costs vary based on company size, complexity, and existing security posture. Typical costs include: auditor fees ($15,000-$50,000), security tools and infrastructure ($5,000-$25,000), and consultant/vCISO services ($2,500-$50,000). Our SOC 2 Fast-Track program starts at $2,500 for readiness assessment, while our full Modernization & Compliance package is $25,000 for complete implementation and audit support.

HIPAA and SOC 2 serve different purposes. HIPAA is a legal requirement for healthcare organizations handling protected health information (PHI), while SOC 2 is a voluntary framework demonstrating security controls to customers. Many healthcare companies need both: HIPAA for legal compliance and SOC 2 to win enterprise customers outside healthcare. The good news is that many controls overlap, making it easier to achieve both certifications simultaneously.

A Fractional CISO (Chief Information Security Officer) is a senior cybersecurity executive who provides strategic security leadership on a part-time or project basis. Unlike full-time CISOs who cost $200,000-$400,000 annually, fractional CISOs offer the same expertise at a fraction of the cost ($3,000-$15,000/month). This makes executive-level security leadership accessible to startups and growth-stage companies.

With our accelerated approach, most organizations can achieve audit-ready status in 60 days. This timeline includes gap assessment (1-2 weeks), control implementation (3-4 weeks), documentation (2-3 weeks), and audit preparation (1-2 weeks). For startups needing to close deals immediately, our SOC 2 Fast-Track program provides a readiness roadmap in just 30 days.

Our SOC 2 readiness assessment includes: comprehensive gap analysis against SOC 2 requirements, risk assessment identifying critical vulnerabilities, prioritized roadmap for control implementation, documentation templates and policy frameworks, estimated timeline and cost projections, and specific recommendations for tools and vendors. You receive a detailed report within 2 weeks that serves as your blueprint for compliance.

Yes. We have a 100% first-time audit pass rate. Our approach includes rigorous mock audits, comprehensive evidence collection systems, continuous control monitoring, and direct auditor coordination. We don't just prepare you for the audit—we ensure you're over-prepared. If any findings emerge, we remediate them immediately before the final audit report.

We specialize in three primary areas: (1) Early-stage startups and SaaS companies needing SOC 2 to close enterprise deals, (2) Healthcare organizations requiring HIPAA and HITRUST certification, and (3) Financial services companies needing high-assurance security frameworks. Our background spans DevOps, cloud security, and regulatory compliance across these verticals.