Think strategically when setting the audit period.
What's a SOC 2 Type 2 Audit Period?
Think of the SOC 2 Type 2 Audit Period as a designated time frame that you choose, during which your organization must demonstrate that its controls are operating effectively. This is the period when an auditor will assess whether your company's processes and controls manage risks according to SOC 2 standards.
Before this period starts, you want to make sure all systems and controls are properly implemented and functioning (similar to getting your car serviced before a long trip). This requires checking that all your policies, plans and processes are not only written down, but they're actually being followed day-to-day.
When to Schedule Your Audit?
It's smart to schedule your audit at a time of year when your business isn't too busy. This way, you have the bandwidth to work with the auditors. Keep in mind that most of the heavy lifting for the audit happens toward the end of the period you choose.
How Long Should the Audit Period Be?
Here are the common choices:
- 3 months: Great for newbies, especially small companies, to get a quick check-up and a SOC 2 report to share with interested parties, like potential customers or investors.
- 6 months: The next step up, used as a way to show you've fixed any issues found in the 3-month audit.
- 12 months: The gold standard, typically for companies that have been through the process before and have everything running smoothly.
If you're just starting, a 3-month period is a good kick-off. This short window gives you a chance to get feedback early and make improvements. As your company grows and gets better at this, you'll move up to 6 months, then the full-year audit.
You can also start working on other important data safety standards, like ISO 27001, building on what you've done for SOC 2.
Conclusion
Ideally, you don't want any breaks between your SOC 2 reports. The goal is to reach a point where you have continuous, back-to-back yearly reports, showing your commitment to data security. However, companies doing this for the first time often do not achieve this.