How to Prepare for a SOC 2 Audit: A Step-by-Step Guide for IT Teams
A SOC 2 audit evaluates how well a company safeguards customer data across five key areas—security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy—using real-world practices instead of a rigid checklist. Preparing involves narrowing the audit scope, running a gap analysis, updating policies, training staff, and conducting mock audits to avoid surprises and ensure smoother compliance. Being SOC 2 audit-ready builds trust with clients, speeds up business deals, and sets a foundation for future certifications like HIPAA or ISO 27001.
SOC 2 Audit prep isn’t glamorous. But if your business handles customer data, you’ll have to face it. Sooner or later, someone’s going to ask, “Do you have a SOC 2 report?” And when they do, you want to be ready, not scrambling.
It’s not about being perfect. It’s about showing you’ve got controls in place and know how to follow them. Sentant helps you do that without burning out your team or blowing your timeline.
What Is a SOC 2 Audit?
A SOC 2 Audit is a security review run by a third-party CPA. It checks how well your company protects data across five key areas: security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy.
There’s no checklist. Every audit is different. It’s based on your systems, your controls, and your real-world processes. Auditors don’t just look at what you say. They look at what you do.
What Are the 5 Core Criteria of SOC 2 Compliance?
Security
This one’s essential. Think MFA, access control, encryption. It’s all about blocking unauthorized access and keeping systems safe.
Availability
Are your systems reliable? Uptime tracking, disaster recovery, backups, it all lives here.
Processing Integrity
Your software should work the way it’s supposed to. If it processes data, it should do so accurately and without glitches.
Confidentiality
Sensitive data needs extra protection. Restricted access. Encrypted storage. Secure disposal. Auditors check all of it.
Privacy
If you collect personal data, you need to manage it properly. Consent, storage, use, and deletion all fall under this category.
Why Is It Important to Prepare for a SOC 2 Audit?
Because winging it won’t work. If you walk into an audit unprepared, you’re going to miss things. Probably important ones. Prep gives you time to clean up gaps, update docs, and align your team before the auditor starts asking questions.
Better prep means fewer surprises. Less scrambling. More control.
What Are the Benefits of Being SOC 2 Audit-Ready?
When you’re audit-ready, things change.
Security reviews go faster. Deals close quicker. Clients ask fewer follow-ups because you’ve already got answers. Your team? They get to stop guessing what’s okay and what’s not.
Plus, you’ll be better positioned for HIPAA, ISO 27001, and other certifications down the road.
How to Prepare for a SOC 2 Audit (Step-by-Step)
1. Know What You’re Auditing
Don’t overdo it. Start with the parts of your system that store or handle customer data. Keep the scope tight.
2. Run a Gap Analysis
Take a good look at your setup. Where are you falling short? What’s missing? This gives you a clear list of what to fix.
3. Rewrite Your Policies
Generic policies won’t cut it. Write stuff your team can follow. Keep it simple. Make sure it reflects how you operate.
4. Fix the Basics
Enable MFA. Limit access. Apply patches. These are small steps, but they go a long way.
5. Educate Your Team
If your people don’t get it, none of this works. Train them. Keep it practical. Make it stick.
6. Implement Monitoring
Set up logs. Turn on alerts. But don’t just collect data, look at it. Regularly. That’s the part people forget.
7. Choose the Right Auditor
Pick someone who understands tech. If they get your environment, they’ll ask better questions, and the process goes faster.
8. Rehearse It
Run a mock audit. It’s worth the time. You’ll catch problems early and give your team a chance to practice.
How Prepared Is Your Business for a SOC 2 Audit?
If the audit started next week, would you be ready?
Most companies aren’t. And that’s okay. The goal isn’t perfection, it’s progress. Every improvement you make before the audit pays off when it begins.
How Sentant Can Help You with SOC 2 Audit Preparation
Sentant works with your team, not just on top of it. We review your setup, help patch holes, and write policies that make sense.
Don’t have in-house security leadership? Our vCISO service gives you senior-level strategy without the full-time cost. We meet you where you are. Whether you’re just starting or almost there.
Why Choose Sentant for Your SOC 2 Audit Preparation?
Sentant’s been through it all, startups, fast-growing tech, lean teams with no IT manager. We don’t throw a rulebook at you. We roll up our sleeves and get to work. Real fixes. No fluff.
We’ll show you what matters, what doesn’t, and how to finish without the burnout.
Frequently Asked Questions About SOC 2 Audit
Can you fail a SOC 2 audit, and what happens if you do?
You can’t “fail,” but a bad report can hurt your business. Clients read it. If the gaps are big, they may walk. You’ll need to fix issues and go through another audit or update your report later.
Can any CPA perform a SOC 2 audit?
Only licensed CPAs trained in SOC 2. It’s not a job for general accountants. Choose one familiar with cloud platforms and modern stacks, it makes a big difference.
What is SOC 2 readiness?
It’s your prep stage. You fix missing controls, align your policies with real operations, and make sure your team is trained. It’s the smart move before an actual audit begins.
Do startups need SOC 2?
Yes, especially if you're B2B. Many buyers require it before signing a contract. It’s a trust signal. Without it, some deals may never happen.
How do you know if you're ready for a SOC 2 compliance audit?
You’ve done a gap review. Your docs are in place. Your team knows what’s what. Still unsure? Sentant can give you a pre-audit check so you’re not going in blind.
Final Thoughts
A SOC 2 Audit doesn’t have to be a nightmare. Yes, it takes work. But it’s doable. Especially with help. Start small. Clean up what you can. Then call in Sentant. We’ll get you sorted, from day one to audit day. No fluff. Just progress.
Will Pizzano, CISM is Founder of Sentant, a managed security and IT services provider that has helped dozens of companies achieve SOC 2 compliance. If you’re interested in help obtaining SOC 2 compliance, contact us.
