What Type of SOC 2 Report Do Startups Need?

📄 Type I or Type II? Here’s What You Need to Know
There are two types of SOC 2 reports — and choosing the right one depends on your sales goals, timeline, and risk appetite.

Let’s break them down:

---

🧾 SOC 2 Type I Report

• 🕒 Timeframe: Can be completed in weeks
• ✅ Focus: Confirms that your controls are designed properly at a single point in time
• 💡 Best for: Startups that need to show progress quickly or have tight sales deadlines
• ⚠️ Limitation: Provides limited assurance — most enterprise buyers prefer Type II

Type I is a great stepping stone. It gets your foot in the door and helps build early compliance credibility — but it’s often just the first step.

---

📊 SOC 2 Type II Report

• 🕒 Timeframe: 3 to 12 months
• 🔍 Focus: Tests the operational effectiveness of your controls over time
• 🏆 Best for: Startups pursuing enterprise contracts or aiming to stand out with deeper assurance
• 📈 Advantage: Opens more doors and builds long-term credibility

While more involved, Type II is the gold standard. It demonstrates that your controls don’t just exist — they work consistently in real-world operations.

---

📌 Summary Table

Report Type	Scope	Time	Use Case
Type I	Point-in-time	Weeks	Quick wins, early-stage buyers
Type II	Over time	3–12 months	Enterprise buyers, long-term growth

---

🧭 Which Should You Choose?

Startups with short timelines often start with Type I and then transition to Type II. But if your prospects or partners are already asking for a SOC 2 report — Type II may save time and money long-term.

Still unsure? We can help you choose the right path and support you through the decision.

---

🎯 Book a SOC 2 Strategy Call

Schedule a free call with StandardOne.tech — we’ll help you understand which report is best based on your market, customers, and readiness level.

👉 Book a Free SOC 2 Readiness Assessment

---

© StandardOne.tech — Simplifying cybersecurity compliance for startups and scaling teams.