What You Should Do the First Time You're Tackling SOC 2 Compliance

You’ve just started a new job at a SaaS startup. You’re excited. Motivated. Ready to crush it…

And then—bam—you get hit with this:

“New hire at a B2B SaaS. My first task is helping them get SOC 2 compliant. HELP!!!”
So I just started at a scaling startup. My first task is getting the ball rolling on SOC 2 compliance. The only thing is this is my first time hearing about SOC 2. I really don’t know much about this framework and it seems complicated and like a lot to manage. Anyone got tips or tools for streamlining this process? Am I cooked? I really want to impress and I know you guys can point me in the right direction!”

Cue internal panic.

This Reddit post perfectly captures a situation we’ve seen again and again with small businesses and scaling startups: A well-meaning, capable new hire is thrown into the world of SOC 2 audits and compliance frameworks without training, experience, or support.

It’s a rough spot, but it’s way more common than people admit.

At BEMO, we hear versions of this same story every week from prospects reaching out to us for help. And we get it. SOC 2 can feel overwhelming at first.

But the good news? There’s a better, smarter way to approach it, especially if it’s your first time.

Table of Contents

• What Is SOC 2 Compliance and Why It Matters for Startups

• Why First-Time SOC 2 Compliance Is Overwhelming

• Options for Startups Without a Dedicated Compliance Team

• Why BEMO Is a Proven SOC 2 Compliance Partner for Small Businesses

• Final Thoughts: Build the Right Compliance Strategy

• FAQS- How to Succeed at SOC 2 

Why First-Time SOC 2 Compliance Is Overwhelming

Many first-time compliance officers or operations team members are handed SOC 2 responsibilities without clear instructions, a budget, or any training.

That’s not a failure on your part, it’s a resourcing and strategy issue.

Startups move fast. Everyone wears a dozen hats. And when investors or prospects start asking about compliance, leadership often turns to whoever seems smart and resourceful (you!) and says, “Figure out SOC 2.”

No training. No roadmap. Just vibes.

But here’s the truth: SOC 2 isn’t something you “figure out” on your own with a few Google searches. Not easily, anyway. It’s a complex audit process that requires:

• Policy creation and documentation

• Risk management

• Technical control mapping

• Evidence collection

• Ongoing security practices

• Vendor management
  
  
• Employee training
  
  

• External auditor coordination...and more

Without guidance, the time cost alone can skyrocket, especially when you're also juggling your actual job. So if you're new and feeling overwhelmed,  you’re not cooked. You’re just being asked to do a job that’s way outside most people’s scope.

What Is SOC 2 Compliance and Why It Matters for Startups

Quick recap, in case you’re still Googling:

SOC 2 is a security and data privacy framework designed for tech companies that store customer data in the cloud. If you're in B2B SaaS, your customers will likely ask for a SOC 2 report before signing contracts, especially if they’re mid-market or enterprise.

SOC 2 covers five trust services criteria:

• Security

• Availability

• Processing integrity

• Confidentiality

• Privacy

To be considered compliant, your company needs to pass a third-party audit: Type 1 evaluates controls at a point in time, while Type 2 looks at their effectiveness over a monitoring period (usually 3–12 months).

SOC 2 compliance isn’t just a checklist you can knock out in a few hours or even weeks. It can take hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars to get it right, especially if you don’t have a compliance officer, an internal IT/security team, or previous audit experience.

That’s why tossing it to the new hire (with zero guidance) is setting them up to failure.

And as a company? That’s not just risky, it’s inefficient.

Options for Startups Without a Dedicated Compliance Team

So what are your options if you're a small team or a new hire managing this for the first time?

You have two realistic paths forward:

1. Hire compliance consultants for SOC 2 Support

You can bring in experts to support your team internally and walk you through the controls, help with documentation, and prepare you for your SOC 2 audit. This option gives you flexibility, but it still requires a lot of hands-on work from your team.

2. Outsource SOC 2 compliance completely

Hire a compliance provider (like BEMO 👋) to take care of everything  so you you don’t have to piece it all together. At BEMO we provide Compliance as a Service, taking care of everything from:

• Building your security program

• Handling the audit prep and documentation

• Automating evidence collection

• Working directly with your auditors

All while helping you become compliant faster and more confidently.

Both options are better than handing off compliance to someone without the time or resources to succeed.

And outsourcing doesn’t mean giving up control. It means buying peace of mind while your team focuses on what they do best.

Why BEMO Is a Proven SOC 2 Compliance Partner for Small Businesses

We’re not just helping clients through SOC 2, we’ve been through it ourselves!

BEMO is SOC 2 Type 1 and Type 2 compliant. We know exactly what auditors are looking for, what controls are necessary, and how to streamline the entire process for you. That means we can help you:

• Avoid the common pitfalls of a first-time SOC 2 journey

• Understand what auditors actually care about

• Build a compliance roadmap

• Automate evidence collection

• Understand SOC 2 compliance costs and timelines

• Save time, stress, and budget

Most importantly, we take the compliance burden off your shoulders so you can get back to your real job.

Final Thoughts: Build the Right Compliance Strategy

That Reddit user asking “Am I cooked?” was just being honest, and that honesty is the first step toward fixing a broken approach.

If this sounds like your current situation (or your company's strategy), take a step back and rethink how you're handling compliance. Whether you're a new hire, founder, or head of operations, the key is to stop treating compliance like a one-person project.

Instead, treat it like what it is: a company-wide priority that deserves real strategy, tools, and support.

If You’re the New Hire…

Take a breath. You’re not alone. This isn’t an intelligence test, it’s a resourcing problem.

So send this blog post to your boss. Let them know there’s a better way.

And if your company’s serious about getting compliant without burning you out, we’re ready to help.

FAQS- How to Succeed at SOC 2 

How Much Does SOC 2 Compliance Cost for Startups?

Here’s a rough breakdown:

• Auditor fees: $15K–$40K+

• Compliance tools (like Drata or Vanta): $5K–$20K/year

• Internal time spent: 100–300+ hours

• Possible consulting costs: Variable

If you're DIY-ing without the right support, the real cost becomes your team’s time and lost focus on strategic work.
In the following article you can read a complete price breakdown on SOC 2 and the hidden costs of the audit.

How Long Does SOC 2 Certification Take to Complete?

Most organizations complete initial certification (Type 1) in 3 to 6 months, though timelines vary based on readiness, company size, and other factors. For a type 2 attestation you need to allocate at least 6 months, conservatively. 

How Do I Determine the Start Date of My Audit Window?

Your audit window should start once your organization becomes fully "audit-ready." This means all necessary remediation steps identified in your readiness assessment have been completed, and your controls are fully operational. Keep in mind that auditors can examine any activities, accesses, or changes starting from the very first day of your audit period, so don’t begin until your organization is fully prepared.

Is There a Better Certification Than SOC 2?
That really depends on your industry, your customers, and your business goals.

SOC 2 isn’t better or worse than other attestations, it’s just one of several frameworks. The right one for you depends on what your prospects or partners expect.

It’s true that some organizations today are asking for certifications like ISO 27001, which is more complex (but not necessarily better). For a growing business, SOC 2 is a solid starting point. It helps you build the foundation needed to eventually pursue other frameworks with more confidence and less friction.