So, how long does it actually take to achieve SOC 2 compliance?
The process can be as short as one and a half months, and as long as 17 and a half months.
Whether you're pursuing a Type 1 or Type 2 certification, having a clear understanding of the timeline helps you plan effectively and avoid costly delays.
In this blog, we'll break down the timelines and key factors affecting your SOC compliance process, and provide you with actionable tips to streamline your compliance journey.
First up: SOC 2 Type 1 certification.
What is the timeline for achieving SOC 2 Type 1 certification?
The timeline for achieving SOC 2 Type 1 certification is roughly one and a half to three and a half months long, consisting of a preparation phase and the official audit, followed by certification delivery if passed.
Here’s a more detailed look into each phase:
Preparation phase: 1-3 months
The preparation phase focuses on implementing the required SOC 2 controls, addressing non-compliance issues, and gathering documentation.
Key activities include:
- Implementing security controls like access management and encryption.
- Developing and documenting security policies.
- Conducting risk assessments and vendor screenings.
- Collecting evidence to demonstrate compliance.
- Hiring an AICPA-accredited auditor.
The duration of this phase depends on your organization’s readiness, the number of controls already in place, and the complexity of your infrastructure.
Audit duration and delivery: 2 weeks
Once your controls are in place, your auditor will review evidence, verify your security posture, and generate a report.
During this phase:
- The auditor will analyze documentation, conduct interviews, and perform control testing.
- Prompt responses to auditor requests can significantly speed up the process.
- After the audit is complete, the final report is typically delivered within 2-6 weeks.
A SOC 2 Type 1 report is faster to achieve and provides immediate proof of compliance, but it lacks the ongoing validation provided by a SOC 2 Type 2 report.
What is the timeline for achieving SOC 2 Type 2 certification?
A SOC 2 Type 2 certification evaluates the operating effectiveness of your security controls over a defined observation period, making it more comprehensive.
The timeline for achieving SOC 2 Type 2 certification is roughly five and a half to 17 and a half months long, consisting of a preparation phase, observation period and the official audit, followed by certification delivery if passed.
Preparation phase: 2-4 months
Similar to SOC 2 Type 1, the preparation phase involves:
- Implementing missing controls.
- Addressing areas of non-compliance.
- Developing policies and procedures.
- Gathering evidence and documentation.
- Engaging an AICPA-accredited auditor.
Businesses that have previously completed a Type 1 audit might experience a shorter preparation phase, as many controls will already be in place.
Observation period: 3-12 months
During the observation period, auditors monitor your security controls to validate their ongoing effectiveness. You can select an audit window of 3, 6, 9, or 12 months, depending on your company’s needs.
- Shorter periods (3-6 months): Common for startups needing quick certification.
- Longer periods (12 months): Preferred by mature organizations, as they demonstrate sustained compliance.
Auditors will observe and assess controls throughout the period, so consistency and accuracy in control execution are critical.
Report creation and delivery: 2-6 weeks
After completing the observation period:
- Auditors analyze collected evidence and compile their findings.
- The final report is delivered within 2-6 weeks, detailing control effectiveness and alignment with the Trust Services Criteria.
A SOC 2 Type 2 report provides stronger validation of security measures compared to Type 1 and is typically preferred by enterprise clients.
For a side-by-side comparison of the two, check out our blog: SOC 2 Type 1 and Type 2: Key Differences Explained.
What are the key factors that affect your SOC 2 compliance timeline?
Several factors can accelerate or delay your SOC 2 compliance journey. Understanding these elements will help you plan effectively and set realistic expectations for the certification process.
Scope of Audit
The scope of your SOC 2 audit determines the depth and breadth of your compliance efforts.
It refers to the number of Trust Services Criteria (TSC) you choose to include. Each additional criterion increases the complexity of the audit, requiring more preparation, documentation, and evidence collection.
For example, focusing only on the Security TSC is far less time-intensive than including all five criteria.
Auditors must verify and validate controls across every selected TSC, which extends the time needed to gather evidence, conduct reviews, and finalize reports. A broader scope inevitably results in a longer audit timeline.
Technology and Tools
According to an Accenture compliance risk study, 93% of respondents (more than 9 in 10) agree or strongly agree that technologies like cloud and AI are making compliance easier by automating tasks and eliminating errors.
This growing confidence in technology highlights the value of compliance automation tools, like EasyAudit, in streamlining the SOC 2 compliance journey.
These platforms streamline tasks such as evidence collection, policy creation, and documentation management, minimizing the reliance on manual workflows.
Platforms with built-in policy libraries also simplify documentation, enabling teams to adopt pre-verified templates rather than drafting policies from scratch.
Overall, organizations leveraging technology often complete their audits in a fraction of the time compared to those relying solely on manual processes.
But the problem with most platforms is that they require past compliance experience in order to be implemented correctly…
That’s not the case with EasyAudit.
With streamlined workflows, customizable security controls, and intuitive guidance, EasyAudit empowers teams to achieve compliance faster, smarter, and without the usual headaches (no prior expertise required).
Book a demo and experience how easy compliance can be.
Readiness Assessment
A readiness assessment serves as a preliminary evaluation of your compliance posture before the official audit begins.
This phase identifies gaps in your existing controls, documentation, and security policies. Addressing these gaps proactively reduces the risk of encountering unexpected issues during the audit.
Without a readiness assessment, organizations often face repeated cycles of review and remediation, significantly extending the timeline.
However, a thorough readiness assessment enables smoother communication with auditors and ensures you’re fully prepared to proceed confidently through the compliance process.
Maturity of Security Controls
The maturity of your security controls directly impacts how efficiently you can prepare for SOC 2 compliance.
Organizations with well-established, documented, and consistently enforced controls often require minimal preparation time.
These mature controls are typically supported by monitoring systems that generate clear and actionable evidence for auditors.
Conversely, organizations with underdeveloped or ad-hoc security practices may need extensive time to design, implement, and validate their controls before the audit begins.
For instance, if an access management policy is already enforced with automated monitoring and logging, evidence collection becomes far more efficient. Immature controls, on the other hand, often require a complete overhaul, adding months to the timeline.
Resource Availability
The speed of your SOC 2 compliance process is heavily influenced by the availability and responsiveness of your internal resources.
Teams responsible for IT, compliance, and security play a critical role in gathering evidence, addressing auditor requests, and overseeing remediation activities.
Organizations with dedicated compliance teams are generally better equipped to move quickly through the process. However, if these responsibilities are spread thin across overstretched staff who are also handling day-to-day operations, delays are almost inevitable.
Knowledge gaps can further slow down progress, especially if key team members lack experience with SOC 2 frameworks or auditing processes.
Audit Type
The choice between a SOC 2 Type 1 and a SOC 2 Type 2 audit is one of the most significant factors affecting the compliance timeline.
A SOC 2 Type 1 audit evaluates your controls at a specific point in time, making it considerably faster to complete.
On the other hand, a SOC 2 Type 2 audit assesses the effectiveness of your controls over a defined observation period, typically ranging from three to twelve months.
Naturally, the longer observation window extends the overall timeline. While Type 2 audits offer deeper insights and are often preferred by larger enterprises, they require more sustained effort and ongoing monitoring throughout the observation period.
Third-Party Dependencies
Many companies rely on third-party vendors for essential services, such as cloud hosting, payment processing, or data storage. The compliance status and responsiveness of these vendors can directly influence your SOC 2 timeline.
If your vendors are already SOC 2 compliant, providing evidence becomes a straightforward task. However, delays occur when vendors are unresponsive, lack proper documentation, or require extensive follow-ups to address gaps in their compliance posture.
Additionally, third-party dependencies often introduce complexities that need to be addressed in your overall compliance strategy, which can add further time to your audit preparation.
If you want to make sure your vendors are actually compliant, read our blog: SOC Report Review: How to Evaluate a Vendor's Report.
Documentation Quality
Clear, comprehensive documentation is essential for an efficient audit process.
Well-documented controls, policies, and security measures simplify the auditor’s job, enabling them to verify compliance without unnecessary back-and-forth communication.
In contrast, incomplete, inconsistent, or poorly organized documentation can lead to delays, misunderstandings, and repeated evidence requests.
Documentation gaps often become apparent during the audit phase, where missing or unclear information can stall progress.
Organizations that invest in maintaining detailed and up-to-date documentation tend to experience smoother and faster audits.
Auditor Availability
The availability and scheduling flexibility of your chosen auditor also play a role in determining your SOC 2 timeline.
Auditors with packed schedules may not be able to start the engagement immediately, leading to delays even before the audit begins.
Early engagement with auditors is crucial for securing preferred time slots and preventing scheduling conflicts.
Additionally, ongoing communication and responsiveness between your team and the auditor help avoid unnecessary bottlenecks during the assessment phase.
Remediation Time for Gaps
The time required to address compliance gaps uncovered during the audit can vary widely depending on the complexity of the issues. Minor gaps, such as documentation inconsistencies or missing approval logs, can often be resolved quickly.
However, significant gaps, such as misconfigured security systems or incomplete control implementation, may require extensive effort and resources to fix.
Once gaps are remediated, auditors may need to retest the affected controls, adding another layer of time to the process.
Companies that address compliance gaps promptly and thoroughly can avoid prolonged delays during this stage.
Fastest Path to Achieving SOC 2 Compliance
Achieving SOC 2 compliance doesn’t have to be a drawn-out, expensive headache.
EasyAudit turns the compliance process into a streamlined, stress-free experience.
- Cut compliance costs by up to 80%.
- Reduce audit timelines by 50%.
- Leverage AI-powered automation for evidence collection, policy creation, and security control validation.
- Get custom security controls, tailored specifically to your business needs — not generic templates.
Why wait months or spend six figures on outdated compliance methods?
Take the fastest path to compliance. Get started with EasyAudit.
FAQs
What are the key differences in the audit processes for SOC 2 Type 1 and Type 2 reports?
A SOC 2 Type 1 audit evaluates your controls at a specific point in time, providing a snapshot of your security posture.
However, a SOC 2 Type 2 audit evaluates how effectively your controls operate over a defined observation period, typically ranging from 3 to 12 months.
Type 2 audits offer a more comprehensive view and are generally preferred by enterprise clients.
What is the validity period of a SOC 2 report after the audit period?
A SOC 2 report is typically valid for 12 months from the date of issuance. Organizations must renew their compliance annually to maintain an uninterrupted certification cycle.
For SOC 2 Type 2 reports, the next audit period usually starts immediately after the previous one ends.
For more on SOC 2 validity periods, read our blog: How Long is a SOC 2 Report Valid and How to Maintain It?
How much does a SOC 2 Type 1 and Type 2 certification cost?
The cost of achieving SOC 2 Type 1 compliance typically ranges from $10,000 to $25,000, depending on the scope and complexity of your organization.
For SOC 2 Type 2, costs range from $15,000 to $50,000+, largely influenced by the length of the observation period, auditor fees, and internal resource requirements.
If you want a complete overview of all the costs related to achieving SOC 2 compliance, check out our blog: How Much Does a SOC 2 Certification Cost in 2025?
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