A SOC 2 certification is proof you handle customer data safely. Getting through the audit can be slow and expensive, but a fast, affordable penetration test is the key to speeding up the process and satisfying your auditor without breaking your budget.

Why You Need SOC 2 Certification To Win Deals

Imagine you build great software, but big companies won't buy it. They ask one question: "How do you protect our data?" Saying you're secure isn't enough; you need to prove it.

That proof is a SOC 2 report. It's an official thumbs-up from an independent inspector saying your security is solid. Without it, you will lose major contracts, especially with larger enterprise clients. It's the difference between landing a huge customer and staying small.

To learn more about how SOC 2 fits into the bigger security picture, this comprehensive guide to data security compliance is a great resource.

How Penetration Testing Helps SOC 2 Compliance

A huge part of SOC 2 is proving your security controls actually work. You can't just have policies on paper; you have to show they can stop an attack. This is where penetration testing comes in.

A pentest is like hiring a friendly hacker to find holes in your security before a real criminal does. The report they give you is concrete proof for your auditor that you are actively finding and fixing weaknesses. This is a must-have for passing a SOC 2 audit.

Get Your Pentest Report In One Week

Most companies get stuck here because traditional pentesting firms are slow and expensive. They take weeks to deliver a report, which holds up your entire SOC 2 audit. We solve this problem.

We provide fast, affordable penetration tests specifically for companies going through SOC 2. Our certified pentesters (OSCP, CEH, CREST) deliver your detailed report within one week, so you can satisfy your auditor and keep moving. We are the affordable alternative for getting this done right.

Choosing Between SOC 2 Type 1 and Type 2

When you start your SOC 2 certification, you'll hear about Type 1 and Type 2 reports. Think of it like this: Type 1 is a photo of your security on one specific day. Type 2 is a video showing your security works all year long.

A Type 1 report checks the design of your security. An auditor looks at your plan and says, "This looks good on paper." It's a start, but it doesn't prove you follow your own rules every day. Serious customers want to see more.

Why a Type 2 Report Is the Real Goal

A SOC 2 Type 2 report is what big clients demand. The auditor watches your security controls in action for 3 to 12 months. This proves your security is consistent and not just for show.

This is the gold standard for SOC 2 certification. It shows you're committed to security every single day, not just on audit day. For a real-world example, see Docsbot's SOC 2 Type II Certification. This long-term proof is what builds real trust.

We Help You Get Type 2 Compliant Faster

Getting a Type 2 report means constantly proving your security is working. A key piece of evidence is regular penetration testing. It shows an independent expert has tested your defenses and you've fixed any problems they found.

But a slow pentest can grind your audit to a halt. We get rid of that delay. Our certified experts (OSCP, CEH, CREST) deliver the reports you need within a week. This speed helps you give your auditor the proof they need without frustrating delays or high costs.

Understanding the Five Trust Criteria

Think of the five Trust Services Criteria (TSCs) as different security promises you make to customers. For your SOC 2 certification, you only need to be audited on the ones that apply to your business.

Imagine you're guarding a bank vault. The TSCs are the rules for how you protect it. You don't have to follow every single rule, just the ones that matter for what's inside your vault. Picking the right ones saves you time and money.

The Mandatory Security Criterion

Security is the one criterion everyone must include in their SOC 2 certification. It covers the basic protections against hackers and unauthorized access. This is the vault door and its lock.

This includes your firewalls, access controls, and vulnerability management. It's where our fast, affordable penetration testing provides the hard proof that your security controls are actually working.

Optional Criteria for Your Business Needs

Availability means your service is up and running when customers need it. Processing Integrity proves your system processes data correctly, like for financial transactions.

Confidentiality protects sensitive business data, like a client's secret plans. Privacy is all about protecting personal information like names and addresses. You only add these if they are part of the service you promise to customers.

How Pentesting Speeds Up Your SOC 2 Audit

Getting your SOC 2 certification is like a final exam. You have to prove your security works. An auditor needs hard evidence, not just your word for it.

A penetration test report is the best evidence you can provide. It's an independent expert's report on your security weaknesses and how you fixed them. This is what your auditor is looking for to check the box on the mandatory Security criterion.

Why Traditional Pentesting Is a Problem

This is where many companies get stuck. Traditional penetration testing firms are slow and expensive, which is a huge frustration for IT managers and founders.

They take weeks or months to get you a report. Their prices are often too high for startups and small businesses. Sometimes you pay a lot and they don't find anything, which doesn't help you improve or impress an auditor. These delays can derail your entire SOC 2 certification. You can explore some penetration testing best practices to see how it should be done.

The Fast and Affordable Pentesting Solution

We built our service to solve these problems. We know for a SOC 2 certification you need a quality pentest report fast and without breaking your budget.

We deliver a complete report within one week. This lets you fix any issues quickly and keep your audit on schedule. We are also the affordable alternative, offering the same expert testing as big firms at a price that makes sense. Our team holds top certifications like OSCP, CEH, and CREST, so you get a report your auditor will trust.

The Real Cost of SOC 2 Certification

Getting a SOC 2 report isn't just one bill from an auditor. The total cost includes the audit itself, any compliance software you use, and the time your own team spends on it.

For a SOC 2 Type 2 report, you can expect to spend between $30,000 and $50,000 total. This includes audit fees, software subscriptions, and hundreds of hours of your team's time. It's a big investment.

How Affordable Pentesting Lowers Your Costs

Penetration testing is often one of the most expensive and time-consuming parts of a SOC 2 audit. Traditional firms charge high prices and take forever to deliver reports. This blows up your budget and your timeline.

We fix this. Our fast, affordable pentesting gets you the evidence you need without the huge bill or the long wait. Our certified OSCP, CEH, and CREST experts get you a report within one week, which keeps your audit moving and lowers your total cost. Find out more by reading our guide on how much penetration testing costs.

Get Audit-Ready With a Fast Pentest

Getting a SOC 2 certification is key to landing bigger customers. But the process can be slow and expensive. The biggest hurdle is often the penetration test.

Traditional pentesting firms are known for high prices and long waits. We created our service to fix this. We give you the audit evidence you need without the high cost and frustration.

Stop Waiting on Slow Pentest Reports

You can't afford to have your audit stall for weeks while you wait on a pentest report. We deliver our reports in one week. Our OSCP, CEH, and CREST certified experts find the issues so your team can fix them fast.

This speed keeps your audit on track and helps you get compliant faster. To learn how to get ready, prepare for a pentest with our detailed guide.

The Affordable Way to SOC 2 Compliance

A SOC 2 certification is a smart investment, but every dollar counts. High-priced pentesting can put compliance out of reach for many businesses. We believe it shouldn't be that way.

We are the affordable alternative. We provide the same expert manual penetration testing as the big firms but at a fair price. Our goal is to help you pass your audit, improve your security, and grow your business. Ready to get started? Fill out our form to get the fast, affordable testing you need.

Your Top SOC 2 Questions Answered

Getting ready for a SOC 2 audit brings up a lot of questions. Here are clear answers to the most common ones we hear from IT managers and founders.

Is SOC 2 a Certification or Report?

Technically, SOC 2 is an attestation report, not a certification. Think of it this way: a certification is a simple pass/fail test. An attestation is an expert opinion from a CPA firm that says you're doing security correctly. Everyone calls it a "SOC 2 certification," but the final product you show customers is the official report.

How Often Do I Need a New SOC 2 Report?

You need to renew your SOC 2 report every year. A SOC 2 Type 2 report covers a specific time period, usually 6 to 12 months. Once that period is over, the report is out of date. To stay compliant and keep customers happy, you must go through the audit annually. This shows security is an ongoing commitment.

Is a Pentest Required Every Year for SOC 2?

Yes, you should plan on getting a penetration test at least once a year. SOC 2 requires you to have a good vulnerability management program. An annual pentest is the best way to prove that you are actively looking for and fixing security holes. An old report won't be enough for your auditor.

At Affordable Pentesting, we deliver the audit-ready reports you need in as little as one week, so you can stay compliant without the usual headaches. Get in touch and make your next SOC 2 audit cycle the smoothest one yet.