Your software product has passed the technical evaluation, pricing discussions are complete, and an enterprise customer is ready to proceed. Then procurement requests your latest SOC 2 report. You don’t have one.
When Australian SaaS companies enter larger markets, this situation presents an immediate challenge. Rushing into the wrong assessment may not satisfy the customer’s requirements, and security assurance takes time. 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.
Work Out Which Kind of SOC 2 Report the Buyer Wants
Different SOC 2 reports provide different levels 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. Their design and operating effectiveness over a defined period are what Type 2 examines.
An enterprise buyer may accept Type 1 temporarily, but many specifically request Type 2 because it provides evidence covering actual operations. Check the report type, required scope, and acceptable reporting dates with the customer before you commission an examination.
Keep a written record of the answers, because the report type, scope, and dates all drive the plan and the budget.
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 organization must operate its relevant controls throughout the reporting period. An initial examination may cover a period of three months, whereas subsequent reports commonly cover longer ones.
Where your business needs to demonstrate access reviews, security training, or change approvals, those activities must happen, and be documented, during the applicable window. Whether the requested report can realistically be delivered on time becomes clearer when you plan backward from a customer deadline.
When the deadline can’t be met within the observation period, say so to the customer early.
What a SOC 2 Examination Actually Delivers
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 covers the assessed system, relevant controls, testing procedures, and the auditor’s opinion.
That document is what customers typically review, often under a confidentiality agreement. A SOC type 2 report also relates to a specific historical period. It does not automatically provide assurance about every change made afterward.
Get Clear on Costs Before Starting
More than an independent examination fee is involved in SOC 2 preparation. Businesses may need assistance developing policies, conducting risk assessments, preparing evidence, training employees, and arranging security testing.
Siege Cyber advertises a SOC 2 compliance package priced at AUD $2,750 per month, excluding GST, over twelve months for businesses with up to 50 employees. Eligible contracts signed by December 31, 2026 are covered by the advertised offer. Its 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 doesn’t look at the months in between. A management-issued bridge letter describing relevant changes since the reporting period ended may be acceptable to some customers.
Acceptance depends on the customer’s requirements, however, and a bridge letter does not replace an independent examination. Discuss reporting gaps early rather than assuming an older report will satisfy procurement.
Build Compliance That Outlasts One Contract
Australian-based SOC 2 readiness support, with fixed-price consulting packages and independent audit coordination, is provided by Siege Cyber. For growing software companies, the most useful approach is to connect compliance preparation with actual operational responsibilities.
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.
Keeping the evidence you collect organized from the start also makes the next audit cycle less of a scramble. Reviewing responsibilities and schedules at regular intervals helps controls keep operating between audits.