As companies grow and assume more responsibility for customer data, establishing strong internal controls becomes essential not only for regulatory reasons but also to build lasting trust with customers. That’s where SOC 2 comes into play. The SOC 2 audit process provides credible assurance that an organization securely manages this data in alignment with the Trust Services Criteria. However, achieving SOC 2 compliance extends beyond implementing tools or drafting policies. Success requires alignment across departments, from executive leadership to legal and IT.
In this blog, we’ll break down the key roles involved and explain how cross-functional collaboration drives not only audit readiness but also long-term compliance and trust.
How Can You Provide Proof of Security as You Sell to the Market?
Today, when data privacy and operational integrity are under constant scrutiny, claims of safety are no longer enough for customers to expect credible assurance. Clients can feel safe knowing that their systems are dependable, available, and secure when they receive a SOC 2 report from an independent certified public accountant.
The report evaluates the organization against five Trust Services Criteria:
- Security
- Availability
- Confidentiality
- Processing Integrity
- Privacy
To meet these standards, various departments must collaborate to document, enforce, and demonstrate the effectiveness of control. A successful audit depends on this internal alignment.
Who’s Involved in a SOC 2 Audit Process?
Achieving SOC 2 audit compliance isn’t something a single team can tackle alone—it takes a coordinated effort across the entire organization. Here’s a look at the key roles involved and their contributions to the process.
Executive Leadership
Provides strategic oversight, allocates resources, and ensures compliance goals align with business priorities. They champion the importance of trust and data protection across the organization. Leadership also approves final audit timelines and ensures cross-department collaboration for smooth SOC 2 audit readiness.
Compliance or Risk Officer
Manages audit readiness, works with the auditor, collects documentation, and makes sure that all deadlines are fulfilled. They make sure audit checklists stay on track and keep an eye on how well internal controls are working. They also operate as the primary liaison between the external auditor and technical teams during the SOC 2 audit procedure.
IT & Security Teams
Implement and manage controls like access restrictions, encryption, monitoring, and incident response. They provide most of the technical evidence required in the SOC 2 audit report and play a critical role in demonstrating that controls are both designed and operating effectively.
HR & Legal
Ensure employee policies (onboarding/offboarding, security training, role-based access) are enforced and documented. Legal teams validate that policies comply with regulatory requirements.
Engineering or DevOps
For SaaS and tech-driven companies, Engineering and DevOps teams are instrumental in achieving SOC 2 certification. They implement technical controls for secure deployments, manage change processes, enable logging and monitoring, and effectively address vulnerabilities.
External Auditor (CPA Firm)
A trusted, independent CPA firm handles the SOC 2 audit, reviewing your internal controls and verifying the evidence you provide before issuing the final SOC 2 report. Their job is to ensure that everything meets AICPA standards and that your controls function as intended over time.
Choosing the Right Auditor: What to Look For
Choosing a SOC 2 auditor does have an impact. Finding someone who shares the team’s beliefs and work style is more important than simply checking credentials. Beyond their knowledge, a skilled auditor makes the process seem approachable and manageable. They collaborate with the team rather than stressing them, clarify what is important, and help with setting order of priority. The incorrect fit, however, can cause things to move more slowly. Deadlines slip, things get missed, and what should be a smooth process starts to feel like a headache. Especially when using automated tools, it is helpful to have someone who understands how modern compliance works and can adapt to it rather than fighting against it.
Here are the key qualities to consider when selecting an auditor:
AICPA Accreditation
Always confirm that the auditor is accredited by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). Only licensed CPA firms are authorized to conduct SOC 2 audits and issue official reports under the AICPA framework. This accreditation ensures the report is recognized in the industry and accepted by customers, partners, and regulators.
Experience with Your Industry
Not all SOC 2 audits are the same. Each industry, whether it’s SaaS, fintech, healthcare, or e-commerce, has its unique workflows, risk areas, and compliance expectations.
An auditor with experience in your domain can:
- Tailor control testing to fit organizational operations
- Anticipate common security issues and suggest practical fixes
- Help prioritize what matters most for the customers base
- Will Provide relevant examples and proper guidance during the readiness assessment
Auditors familiar with SOC 2 compliance automation platforms can further align testing with system-generated evidence, thereby reducing manual overhead.
Collaborative and Transparent Process
Going through SOC 2 should feel like teamwork, not a grilling. Look for an auditor who offers a collaborative approach, where communication is open, and expectations are clear from the outset.
A transparent auditor will:
- Share a detailed project timeline with key milestones
- Provide templates, checklists, and pre-audit readiness support
- Be available to answer questions as they arise
- Provide resources or a platform for monitoring progress in real time.
- Steer clear of scope modifications or last-minute surprises.
Auditors who work well with SOC 2 compliance tools make the entire process easier to follow. They keep things clear, help your team stay on track, and ensure you’re always prepared when audit time arrives.
Conclusion
Achieving SOC 2 compliance isn’t just a task for the IT team. It’s a proper team effort. Everyone has a part to play — from setting up security systems to writing policies that make sense, to simply keeping things organized and up to date. It works best when people across departments communicate effectively, stay aligned, and take ownership. That’s when the process feels less like a burden and more like building something meaningful. Because, in the end, it’s not just about clearing an audit — it’s about creating genuine trust, both within the company and with your customers.
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In the competitive landscape of SaaS businesses, trust is paramount amidst data breaches and privacy concerns. Akitra addresses this need with its leading AI-powered Compliance Automation platform. Our platform empowers customers to prevent sensitive data disclosure and mitigate risks, meeting the expectations of customers and partners in the rapidly evolving landscape of data security and compliance. Through automated evidence collection and continuous monitoring, paired with customizable policies, Akitra ensures organizations are compliance-ready for various frameworks such as SOC 1, SOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR, PCI DSS, ISO 27001, ISO 27701, ISO 27017, ISO 27018, ISO 9001, ISO 13485, ISO 42001, NIST 800-53, NIST 800-171, NIST AI RMF, FedRAMP, CCPA, CMMC, SOX ITGC, and more such as CIS AWS Foundations Benchmark, Australian ISM and Essential Eight etc. In addition, companies can use Akitra’s Risk Management product for overall risk management using quantitative methodologies such as Factorial Analysis of Information Risks (FAIR) and qualitative methods, including NIST-based for your company, Vulnerability Assessment and Pen Testing services, Third Party Vendor Risk Management, Trust Center, and AI-based Automated Questionnaire Response product to streamline and expedite security questionnaire response processes, delivering huge cost savings. Our compliance and security experts provide customized guidance to navigate the end-to-end compliance process confidently. Last but not least, we have also developed a resource hub called Akitra Academy, which offers easy-to-learn short video courses on security, compliance, and related topics of immense significance for today’s fast-growing companies.
Our solution offers substantial time and cost savings, including discounted audit fees, enabling fast and cost-effective compliance certification. Customers achieve continuous compliance as they grow, becoming certified under multiple frameworks through a single automation platform.
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FAQ’s
How often should we undergo a SOC 2 audit?
SOC 2 Type II audits are typically conducted annually, especially if you want to maintain an active report for customers and regulators. Regular audits ensure that your security controls evolve with your business and technology environment.
What’s the difference between SOC 2 Type I and Type II?
- SOC 2 Type I assesses whether controls are in place at a specific point in time.
- SOC 2 Type II evaluates whether those controls are operating effectively over a 3–12 month period. Type II reports are more rigorous and preferred by enterprise customers.
