Your software product has passed the technical evaluation, pricing is settled, and an enterprise customer is ready to go ahead. Then procurement asks for your latest SOC 2 report. You have nothing to send.
When Australian SaaS companies enter larger markets, this situation presents an immediate challenge. Because security assurance takes time, rushing into the wrong assessment may not satisfy the customer’s requirements. Start by understanding what the buyer expects, then plan backward from the deadline.
First, find out exactly what was asked for, and by when, without rushing. The request can leave more room than it first appears to, so ask before you assume.
Find Out Which SOC 2 Report the Customer Needs
SOC 2 reports don’t all provide the same level of assurance. The distinction between SOC 2 type 1 vs type 2 matters when responding to enterprise security requirements. Whether relevant controls are suitably designed at a particular date is what Type 1 evaluates. Type 2 looks at the design of those controls and how effectively they operate over a defined period.
An enterprise buyer may accept Type 1 temporarily, but many specifically request Type 2 because it provides evidence covering actual operations. Confirm the report type, required scope, and acceptable reporting dates with the customer before commissioning an examination.
The report type, scope, and dates drive both the plan and the budget, so write the answers down. When it’s unclear what the customer requires, ask for the exact wording in the contract or the security questionnaire.
Work Out Your Timeline From the Observation Period
Preparing documentation and scheduling an auditor isn’t enough to complete a SOC 2 type 2 examination. The relevant controls have to be in operation across the whole reporting period. That period may cover three months for an initial examination, while subsequent reports commonly examine longer periods.
Those activities must occur and be documented during the applicable window if your business needs to demonstrate access reviews, security training, or change approvals. Work backward from the customer deadline to find out whether the requested report can realistically be delivered on time.
When the deadline can’t be met within the observation period, say so to the customer early. Some customers are willing to discuss interim steps, such as a dated plan, when they hear about the gap early.
Know What You’re Actually Buying
Although SOC 2 does not issue certificates, businesses frequently search for SOC 2 type 2 certification.
An independent examination against the applicable AICPA Trust Services Criteria is performed by a licensed CPA firm, which issues an attestation report. The report describes the assessed system, relevant controls, testing procedures, and the auditor’s opinion.
Often under a confidentiality agreement, that document is what customers typically review. A specific historical period is also what a SOC type 2 report relates to. It doesn’t automatically give assurance about every change made afterward.
Know the Costs Before Starting
An independent examination fee is only part of the cost of SOC 2 preparation. Help may be needed to develop policies, conduct risk assessments, prepare evidence, train employees, and arrange security testing.
A SOC 2 compliance package priced at AUD $2,750 per month, excluding GST, over twelve months is advertised by Siege Cyber for businesses with up to 50 employees. The advertised offer applies to eligible contracts signed by December 31, 2026. The package includes compliance preparation, training, a compliance platform, and external penetration testing.
The independent CPA examination is billed separately, with Siege Cyber indicating typical fees of approximately AUD 5,000–15,000, depending on scope and complexity. Check current pricing, eligibility, and deliverables before you commit.
What if Your Existing Report Is Out of Date?
Suppose your Type 2 report covers January through June, but a customer requests assurance in October. The report does not examine the intervening months. Relevant changes since the reporting period ended can be described in a management-issued bridge letter, which some customers may accept.
However, acceptance depends on the customer’s requirements, and a bridge letter does not replace an independent examination. Rather than assuming an older report will satisfy procurement, discuss reporting gaps early.
Build Compliance That Outlasts One Contract
Siege Cyber provides SOC 2 readiness support from Australian-based specialists, with fixed-price consulting packages and independent audit coordination. Connecting compliance preparation with actual operational responsibilities is the most useful approach for growing software companies.
Give each control an owner, keep security records, and set a reporting schedule that supports future customer reviews. Leaving your business better prepared for the next enterprise opportunity, not just answering the current request, is what a successful SOC 2 project should do.
Keep the evidence you collect organized from the beginning, and the next audit cycle becomes less of a scramble.