SOC 2 audit for SaaS and IT companies
Independent SOC 2 audits for service organizations in the Netherlands. From scoping and readiness to Type I and Type II assurance reporting.
From customer demand to an accepted report, without detours
Has a large customer or prospect asked for a SOC 2 report? Then you want to know two things: what exactly is coming your way, and how to get to a report your customers will accept. Secure Audit performs independent SOC 2 audits for SaaS companies, cloud providers and other service organizations. Dutch IT auditors, a fixed quote up front and an audit platform that lets you follow the entire engagement.
What is a SOC 2 audit?
With a SOC 2 report, a service organization demonstrates that the controls around its services operate reliably. An independent auditor tests those controls against the AICPA Trust Services Criteria and records the opinion in an assurance report you share with customers. Formally, SOC 2 is an attestation rather than a certification; in practice the report plays the same role as proof towards your customers.
The five Trust Services Criteria
Security is always in scope. The other four categories are included when they fit your services and your customers' expectations. We determine the scope together with you during the scoping phase.
Deep dives: what is SOC 2? and the Trust Services Criteria in detail.
SOC 2 Type I versus Type II
For a first report, a Type I is often a practical starting point: you show where you stand before the longer assessment period of a Type II begins. Enterprise customers ultimately almost always ask for a Type II.
- ✓ Design and existence of controls
- ✓ Assessment at one specific moment
- ✕ No test of operation over time
- ✓ Good starting point for a first audit
- ✓ Design and operating effectiveness
- ✓ Tested over a period of 3 to 12 months
- ✓ More assurance for customers
- ✓ The most requested variant in practice
Not sure which type fits? Read about the difference between Type I and Type II or put your situation to us.
Who is SOC 2 for?
SOC 2 is relevant for any organization that delivers services involving the processing, storage or management of customer data. In the Netherlands, demand comes mainly from SaaS companies serving enterprise customers or US-based partners: there, the report is increasingly a condition for qualifying as a vendor.
How that customer demand arises in practice is covered in SOC 2 for SaaS companies.
How a SOC 2 audit works at Secure Audit
For each applicable Trust Services Criterion we perform a risk analysis on the relevant points of focus. The medium and high risks determine the key controls in the work program. We test those through interviews, documentation review, system configuration inspections and evidence.
A formal assurance report with a description of your system, the relevant controls, the test results and our independent opinion. You share that report with customers, prospects and other stakeholders.
A SOC 2 Type II report covers a period. Customers therefore expect a new report every year. We set up the engagement so that the annual repeat becomes predictable and manageable, with evidence you build up in the platform throughout the year.
Read how to prepare for a SOC 2 audit and what you can arrange today.
What does a SOC 2 audit cost?
A fixed rate without knowing your situation would be a shot in the dark. Four factors drive the price.
Scope
How many Trust Services Criteria do you include besides Security, and how many systems and processes fall within the report?
Report type
A Type II requires more audit hours than a Type I, because operating effectiveness over the observation period is also tested.
Maturity
The more controls and documentation you already have in place, the less readiness work is needed before the audit can start.
Complexity
The number of locations, teams and subservice organizations and the design of your infrastructure determine the size of the work program.
Dutch auditors, our own platform
Our own audit platform
Work program, evidence, findings and communication in one place. Throughout the engagement you can see where you stand and what remains open. See the platform
Dutch team
You deal directly with the IT auditors doing the work, with knowledge of the Dutch market and of international customer requirements.
More than compliance
Where needed we support the design of controls, so you do not just obtain a report but come out of the engagement stronger.
Combinable
Also need ISAE 3402, ISO 27001 or DigiD? We combine engagements where possible, so you only submit evidence once. All IT audit services
Frequently asked questions about SOC 2
Everything about SOC 2 in the knowledge base
What is SOC 2?
→The standard, the report and the role of the auditor explained.
Type I versus Type II
→The difference, and when to choose which type.
The Trust Services Criteria
→The five categories and how to determine your scope.
Preparing for your SOC 2 audit
→What you can already arrange before the audit starts.
SOC 2 for SaaS companies
→Why enterprise customers ask for a report.
SOC 2 versus ISAE 3402
→Two assurance standards side by side.
Ready to start your SOC 2 engagement?
Schedule a no-obligation intake call. You will get an honest picture of the scope, the timeline and the cost for your situation, with a fixed quote after scoping.