A SOC 2 report is your proof to customers that you protect their data, but getting one is often slow and expensive. You need a fast, affordable way to pass your audit and close bigger deals. We deliver the expert penetration test report you need in one week, without the high costs.

What a SOC 2 Report Means for Your Business

Think of a SOC 2 report like a home inspection for your business. It is proof from a certified expert that your security is solid. This report shows customers you have the right systems in place to keep their information safe.

This is not just a self-check. A real CPA firm audits your company to verify your security. This document is a powerful tool to win trust and land bigger clients who demand proof of security.

Prove Your Security to Win More Deals

Many large companies will not work with a vendor who isn't SOC 2 compliant. Lacking a report can kill a promising sales conversation before it even starts. Having a SOC 2 report in hand changes the game completely.

A SOC 2 report builds instant trust with your clients. You are not just saying you are secure. You have independent proof. This makes customers feel much safer choosing you over a competitor.

It also speeds up your sales cycle. Instead of filling out long security questionnaires, you can just share your report. It answers most of their questions upfront and gets deals done faster.

Know the Two Types of SOC 2 Reports

SOC 2 reports come in two types. A Type I report is a snapshot in time. An auditor checks your security controls on one specific day to confirm they are designed correctly. It is a great first step and can be done quickly.

A Type II report is more like a movie. The auditor watches your security controls work over a period of 6 to 12 months. This proves your controls are effective every day. This is the gold standard that big customers want.

Choose a SOC 2 Type I or Type II Report

Choosing between a Type I and Type II report depends on your needs. A SOC 2 Type I report is like a photo. An auditor looks at your security at one moment and confirms it is set up right. It is the fastest way to get a report when a customer is waiting.

A SOC 2 Type II report is like a film. The auditor observes your controls over 3 to 12 months. This proves you follow your security rules consistently. This is how you earn deep trust with enterprise clients.

When a SOC 2 Type I Report Is Your Best Bet

A Type I report is perfect for startups or any company facing its first compliance request. If a big client says they need a SOC 2 report to sign a deal, a Type I is your fastest path. It helps you keep the deal moving forward.

It is the best choice if you have urgent deadlines. You can get a Type I done in weeks, not months. It is also a great way to start your compliance journey and is much more affordable for your first audit.

When to Go for a SOC 2 Type II Report

A Type II report is what most businesses should aim for long-term. Enterprise customers often will not even consider a Type I. They need to see that your security is a core part of how you operate every single day.

This report is how you build serious credibility and land bigger contracts. For many businesses, SOC 2 compliance is now a basic expectation. You can discover more insights about the state of compliance to see the trends.

A manual penetration test is a key piece of evidence for either report. It proves your controls can stand up to real-world attacks. We deliver a comprehensive pentest report in just one week from our certified (OSCP, CEH, CREST) pentesters.

Contact us through our form to see how we help you prepare for your audit without high costs.

Understanding the Five Trust Criteria

A SOC 2 audit checks your business against standards called the Trust Services Criteria. There are five of them, but only one is required for every SOC 2 report. The others are chosen based on the promises you make to your customers.

This lets you tailor the audit to what is important for your service. This keeps the process focused, fast, and more affordable. You only get audited on what matters.

The Foundation of Every SOC 2 Report Is Security

Every SOC 2 audit must include the Security criterion. This is the bedrock of your report. It covers the protections you have in place to stop unauthorized access to your systems and data. This is non-negotiable for any audit.

This criterion looks at things like access controls and firewalls. It also covers how you find and fix security weaknesses. A manual penetration test is the best way to provide proof for the Security criterion.

Our certified pentesters (OSCP, CEH, CREST) find weaknesses and give you a clear report. This shows your auditor you are actively testing your defenses. It is exactly the kind of proof they want to see.

Four Optional Criteria for Your Report

Beyond Security, you can add four other criteria to your report. You should only include the ones that are relevant to your business. Adding criteria that do not apply just adds unnecessary cost and time to your audit.

Availability is about uptime. Can customers use your service when they need to? Processing Integrity checks if your system does what it is supposed to without errors. This is key for things like e-commerce.

Confidentiality protects sensitive information like business plans or intellectual property. Privacy focuses specifically on protecting Personally Identifiable Information (PII) like names and addresses. This shows you handle customer data properly.

Companies that get this right often have a dedicated Trust Center. By focusing only on the criteria that matter, you keep your audit affordable and fast.

How Pentesting Strengthens Your SOC 2 Audit

A SOC 2 audit needs to see your security policies working in the real world. Penetration testing is your best tool for this, especially for the required Security criterion. It gives auditors the concrete proof they need.

Think of it like this. Your security policies are the locks on your doors. A penetration test is like hiring a professional to see if they can get past them. It delivers independent proof that your defenses can stop a real attack.

Prove Your Security Controls Actually Work

An auditor needs to see that your security controls are effective. A professional penetration test report gives them a clear piece of evidence that makes their job much easier. It shows you are proactive about security.

You are not just hoping your controls work. You are actively trying to break them to make them stronger. We deliver our reports within one week, so you get this crucial evidence fast and can move forward with your audit.

What Auditors Look For in a Pentest Report

Auditors want to see a thorough and professional process. A pentest report that helps your SOC 2 audit needs to be detailed. It should document the scope, methods, and all the findings clearly.

Our certified testers (OSCP, CEH, CREST) focus on finding vulnerabilities that auditors care about. A good report lists any weaknesses, explains the risk, and gives you clear steps on how to fix everything.

Having this report ready before the audit saves you a lot of time. It avoids endless questions from the auditor and proves you have done your homework. For more on this, consider specialized network penetration testing services.

Connect Pentesting Directly to SOC 2 Controls

Penetration testing directly supports several key control areas in the Security criterion. It provides solid evidence for vulnerability management and risk assessment. When an auditor sees a professional pentest report, they can check off multiple requirements quickly.

This is more important than ever as companies use AI for security. You can read the full research about AI's role in the SOC to learn more. Our affordable, manual pentesting is one of the most efficient ways to prepare for your audit.

For more information, look at our guide on penetration testing best practices. Ready to start? Contact us through our form for a fast pentest.

Make Your SOC 2 Audit Process Painless

Nobody looks forward to a SOC 2 audit, but good preparation makes it much easier. The best advice is to get your penetration test done before the audit even starts. It shows your auditor you are organized and proactive.

Walking into an audit with a professional pentest report already in hand can save weeks. It cuts down on the frustrating back-and-forth and makes the whole process smoother for everyone involved.

Get Your Evidence Ready for the Auditor

Think of your auditor as working from a checklist. Your job is to make it easy for them to check every box. This means having all your evidence organized and ready to go.

A pentest provides the core technical evidence for your audit. That evidence makes your documentation stronger. This in turn makes the final audit straightforward and much faster.

Your auditor's time is not cheap. The more organized you are, the faster they work, and the less you pay. A complete evidence package with a solid pentest report is the best investment for a fast, affordable audit.

Your SOC 2 Report Audit Checklist

Do not wait for your auditor to send you a long list of requests. Get ahead of the game by gathering your documentation now. Most audits will ask for evidence in a few key areas.

You will need organizational controls like your security policies. You will also need to show how you manage access controls for your systems. Be ready to explain your change management process as well.

Your penetration test report is the definitive proof for vulnerability management. It shows you are actively finding and fixing security weaknesses. This one document can satisfy a huge part of the audit.

Get a Fast Pentest for Your SOC 2 Report

Getting ready for a SOC 2 audit can be a rush, but traditional pentesting is often slow and expensive. Big firms take months to deliver reports and charge a fortune. You need to prove your security without waiting or draining your budget.

We built our process to get you the exact evidence you need for your SOC 2 report quickly and affordably. We cut out the typical enterprise headaches and deliver what you need to pass your audit.

Get Your Pentest Report in Just One Week

Why should a pentest take months? That kind of delay creates a bottleneck for your SOC 2 audit. We deliver a comprehensive, manual penetration test report in just one week.

This is a thorough test performed by our certified professionals. This quick turnaround means you can find and fix vulnerabilities fast. It keeps your compliance timeline on track and your momentum high.

Certified Experts Who Focus on What Matters

A pentest for a SOC 2 audit is about showing your controls are effective. Our pentesters are OSCP, CEH, and CREST certified. They have the skills to think like a real attacker and find what matters to an auditor.

They give you a clear, actionable list of what to fix. This allows you to strengthen your security and present powerful evidence for your audit. It is the smartest way to prepare.

Affordable Pentesting for Your SOC 2 Report

You should not have to choose between a quality pentest and your budget. Traditional firms have massive overhead and pass those costs on to you. For many startups and small businesses, those prices are a barrier to getting SOC 2 compliant.

We are the affordable alternative. We focus only on efficient, manual penetration testing. You get the same level of expertise and a high-quality report without the enterprise price tag. For more tips, read our guide on how to prepare for your penetration test.

Ready to get the expert proof you need for your audit? Fill out our contact form to get a fast, no-nonsense quote.

Common SOC 2 Report Questions

Getting ready for a SOC 2 audit brings up a lot of questions. IT managers, founders, and compliance officers need straight answers to plan effectively. Here are the most common questions we hear, with no-nonsense answers.

How Much Does a SOC 2 Audit Cost?

The cost of a SOC 2 audit can vary, but for a first-time audit, you can budget between $20,000 and $60,000. The final price depends on your company size, system complexity, and which criteria you include in your SOC 2 report.

Remember, this is just the auditor's fee. You also have to consider your team's time. One of the best ways to keep the cost down is to be very prepared. A complete evidence package with a professional pentest report makes the audit faster and cheaper.

How Long Does the Whole Process Take?

The timeline depends on if you want a Type I or Type II report. A Type I is quicker and can often be done in 2 to 3 months. This includes all the prep work and the audit itself.

A Type II report is a longer commitment. The observation period is typically between 6 and 12 months. The entire process from start to finish can easily take over a year. This is why getting your pentest done early is so important, and we deliver reports in one week.

What Happens if We Fail the Audit?

Failing an audit is not a dead end. If an auditor finds significant issues, they will note them in your SOC 2 report. This just means they found areas where your controls were not working as intended.

The auditor will list every issue in the report. Your job is to create a plan to fix them. Having a penetration test report is a huge advantage here. It proves you are already finding and fixing your own weaknesses.

How Often Do We Need to Renew a SOC 2 Report?

A SOC 2 report is not a one-time thing. It is an annual commitment to maintain your security. Most customers will expect an updated Type II report every 12 months. This proves your security controls are still effective.

This yearly cycle makes having an efficient and affordable pentesting partner essential. You need a team you can rely on to get the job done quickly and without breaking the bank.

Ready to get the fast, affordable pentest you need for your SOC 2 audit? Affordable Pentesting provides manual penetration tests performed by certified experts with reports delivered in one week. Contact us through our form to get started.