An enterprise customer is ready to proceed: your software product has passed the technical evaluation and pricing discussions are complete. Then procurement asks for your latest SOC 2 report. There’s no report to hand over.
For Australian SaaS companies entering larger markets, this situation creates an immediate challenge. Because security assurance takes time, rushing into the wrong assessment may not satisfy the customer’s requirements. 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. It’s worth asking before assuming, since the request sometimes leaves more room than it first appears.
Know Which SOC 2 Report the Buyer Is Asking For
SOC 2 reports don’t all provide the same level of assurance. The distinction between SOC 2 type 1 vs type 2 matters when responding to enterprise security requirements. Type 1 evaluates whether relevant controls are suitably designed at a particular date. Type 2 looks at the design of those controls and how effectively they operate over a defined period.
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.
The report type, scope, and dates drive both the plan and the budget, so write the answers down.
Why the Observation Period Shapes Your Timeline
Preparing documentation and scheduling an auditor isn’t enough to complete a SOC 2 type 2 examination. Throughout the reporting period, the organization must operate its relevant controls. 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. Work backward from the customer deadline to find out whether the requested report can realistically be delivered on time.
If the deadline is tighter than the observation period allows, tell the customer early. Interim steps, such as a dated plan, are something some customers will discuss if they hear about the gap early.
Be Clear on What You Are Buying
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 describes 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 doesn’t automatically give assurance about every change made afterward.
Know the Costs Before Starting
SOC 2 preparation costs more than just an independent examination fee. Developing policies, conducting risk assessments, preparing evidence, training employees, and arranging security testing are all areas where businesses may need assistance.
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. Compliance preparation, training, a compliance platform, and external penetration testing are included in its package.
The independent CPA examination is billed separately; Siege Cyber indicates 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?
Say your Type 2 report covers January through June, yet a customer requests assurance in October. The report does not examine the intervening months. Relevant changes since the reporting period ended can be described in a management-issued bridge letter, which some customers may accept.
However, acceptance depends on the customer’s requirements, and a bridge letter does not replace an independent examination. Don’t assume an older report will satisfy procurement; discuss reporting gaps early.
Get More From Your Compliance Investment Than One Contract
Siege Cyber provides SOC 2 readiness support from Australian-based specialists, with fixed-price consulting packages and independent audit coordination. For growing software companies, the most useful approach is to connect compliance preparation with actual operational responsibilities.
Establish a reporting schedule that supports future customer reviews, assign control owners, and maintain security records. Rather than simply helping respond to the current request, a successful SOC 2 project should leave your business better prepared for the next enterprise opportunity.
Keep the evidence you collect organized from the beginning, and the next audit cycle becomes less of a scramble. Controls are more likely to keep operating between audits when responsibilities and schedules are reviewed at regular intervals.