What is the difference between SOC 2 Type 1 and Type 2?
Glossary
The short answer |
|---|
SOC 2 Type 1 and Type 2 are two kinds of SOC 2 attestation report issued by an independent CPA firm under AICPA standards. A Type 1 report evaluates whether a company’s controls are suitably designed at a single point in time. A Type 2 report evaluates both design and operating effectiveness over an observation period, commonly 3 to 12 months, so it gives customers stronger assurance. |
How do Type 1 and Type 2 audits work?
Both reports use the AICPA Trust Services Criteria. Security is required, and availability, processing integrity, confidentiality and privacy are optional. The difference is what the auditor tests.
Type 1: the auditor reviews your system description and checks that each control exists and is designed to meet the criteria as of a specific date.
Type 2: the auditor also samples evidence across the whole observation period to test whether controls operated consistently, such as whether every new employee was onboarded with the right access and training.
SOC 2 Type 1 vs Type 2 at a glance
Type 1 | Type 2 | |
|---|---|---|
What it tests | Design of controls | Design and operating effectiveness |
Time covered | A single date | An observation period, commonly 3 to 12 months |
Time to first report | Faster | Longer, because the period must pass |
Assurance to customers | Moderate | Stronger |
What enterprise buyers usually want | Accepted as a first step | Usually the expected standard |
Why does this matter for startups?
Your first SOC 2 is usually driven by a sales deal. A Type 1 can unblock a deal sooner, but many enterprise buyers will ask when your Type 2 is coming. A Type 2 also means your controls must keep working every day of the period, so you need evidence collection that runs continuously rather than a one-time cleanup before the auditor arrives.
How NexusVoid handles it
Aegis, NexusVoid’s compliance automation product, supports SOC 2 alongside ISO 27001 and other frameworks using shared controls. It collects evidence automatically from cloud, GitHub, identity and devices throughout the period, keeps tailored policies and a risk register, and produces auditor-ready exports. The audit itself, and its outcome, remain with your independent auditor.
Related terms
Compliance automation
Continuous compliance
Shared controls
Trust center
Penetration testing
Frequently asked questions
Should a startup get SOC 2 Type 1 or Type 2 first?
If a customer needs something soon, a Type 1 gives you a report quickly and shows your controls are designed properly. If you have time, or the customer specifically asks for Type 2, many teams skip straight to a Type 2 with a short first observation period. Ask your buyer which they will accept before deciding, since that answer usually settles it.
How long is a SOC 2 Type 2 observation period?
Most Type 2 reports cover between 3 and 12 months. First-time reports often use a shorter window, such as three to six months, to get a report sooner. Later reports usually cover a full 12 months so there is no gap in coverage from one year to the next. Your auditor and customers will influence the choice.
Is SOC 2 a certification?
Not technically. SOC 2 is an attestation report issued by an independent CPA firm under AICPA standards. The auditor gives an opinion on your controls rather than a certificate. People often say SOC 2 certified informally, but the deliverable is a report you share with customers, usually under NDA.
Which Trust Services Criteria do I need?
Security, also called the common criteria, is required in every SOC 2 report. Availability, processing integrity, confidentiality and privacy are optional. Choose the ones that match what you promise customers. A SaaS company with uptime commitments often adds availability, and one handling sensitive customer data often adds confidentiality.
Not sure whether to start with Type 1 or Type 2? Book a call at /contact and we will help you plan around your customer’s deadline.
Something wrong in this post? Tell us at lakshay@nexusvoidai.com and we will fix it and say so.
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