SOC 2 has become the de facto security standard for B2B software companies. Here's an honest guide to what it actually requires.
SOC 2 Type I vs. Type II
Type I attests that your controls are designed appropriately at a point in time. Type II attests that those controls operated effectively over an observation period — typically six to twelve months. Enterprise customers increasingly require Type II because it provides evidence of sustained security practices.
The Real Work
The actual work of SOC 2 compliance is less about security theater than about building genuine operational discipline: access reviews that happen on schedule, change management processes that are actually followed, and incident response procedures that are tested, not just documented.