How Long Does SOC 2 Take? Complete Timeline Guide 2025

TL;DR: Quick Takeaways

•SOC 2 Type 1 takes 4-8 weeks; Type 2 requires 3-12 months
•Your readiness level is the biggest factor affecting timeline
•Automation can reduce timeline by 50% or more
•Most companies can achieve Type 1 in 30 days with the right platform

"How long will SOC 2 take?" is usually the first question founders ask when they realize they need the certification to close enterprise deals. The answer, frustratingly, is "it depends"—but not for the reasons you might think.

While traditional consulting firms will tell you 6-12 months, many companies are now achieving SOC 2 Type 1 certification in 30 days. The difference? Starting readiness, automation, and expert guidance.

In this guide, we'll break down the complete SOC 2 timeline, explain what affects how long it takes, and show you how to get certified as quickly as possible.

The Quick Answer: Type 1 vs Type 2 Timelines

SOC 2 Type 1

4-8 weeks

Evaluates your controls at a specific point in time. Faster to achieve but less trusted by enterprise customers.

• Minimum: 4 weeks (with automation)
• Average: 6 weeks
• Maximum: 8-12 weeks (DIY)

SOC 2 Type 2

3-12 months

Evaluates controls over a period of time. More comprehensive and preferred by most enterprise customers.

• Minimum: 3 months observation period
• Average: 6 months
• Maximum: 12+ months

💡 Pro Strategy:

Start with Type 1 to unblock deals immediately, then run your Type 2 observation period in parallel. This way, you can start closing enterprise deals while working toward the more comprehensive certification.

Complete SOC 2 Timeline Breakdown

Here's what happens during each phase of the SOC 2 certification process:

Week 1

Readiness Assessment & Scoping

Evaluate your current security posture and identify gaps against SOC 2 requirements.

• Initial security questionnaire
• Gap analysis against Trust Service Criteria
• Define audit scope and boundaries
• Create remediation roadmap

Weeks
2-4

Remediation & Implementation

Close security gaps and implement missing controls to meet SOC 2 requirements.

• Implement MFA across all systems
• Document policies and procedures
• Set up logging and monitoring
• Configure automated evidence collection
• Conduct security awareness training

3-12
Months

Observation Period (Type 2 Only)

Demonstrate that controls are operating effectively over time. This is what separates Type 1 from Type 2.

• Minimum 3 months for first certification
• Most companies choose 6 months
• 12 months provides most credibility
• Continuous evidence collection
• Regular control testing

1-2
Weeks

Audit Fieldwork

Independent auditor reviews documentation, tests controls, and interviews staff.

• Document review
• Control testing
• Staff interviews
• System walkthroughs
• Evidence validation

1-2
Weeks

Report Issuance

Auditor compiles findings and issues your official SOC 2 report.

• Draft report review
• Management response to findings
• Final report issuance
• Report distribution to customers

Factors That Affect Your SOC 2 Timeline

Understanding what impacts your timeline helps you plan realistically and identify areas where you can accelerate:

🎯 Your Starting Readiness

This is the single biggest factor. Companies with mature security practices can move much faster.

Low Readiness (20-40%)

8-12 weeks for Type 1

Medium Readiness (40-70%)

5-8 weeks for Type 1

High Readiness (70%+)

3-5 weeks for Type 1

⚡ Level of Automation

Manual evidence collection is the #1 time sink. Automation can reduce timeline by 50%+.

Manual approach: 200+ hours of team time
Partially automated: 80-100 hours
Fully automated: 20-40 hours

👥 Expert Guidance

Working with compliance experts significantly reduces back-and-forth and prevents mistakes.

DIY: 3-6 months (high failure risk)
With consultant: 2-4 months
With platform + advisor: 4-8 weeks

📋 Scope Complexity

More systems, locations, and Trust Service Criteria mean longer timelines.

Simple scope: Single product, one location, Security only
Complex scope: Multiple products, locations, all 5 criteria
Impact: Can add 2-4 weeks to timeline

⏰ Team Availability

Delays in responding to auditor requests or implementing controls extend timelines.

Dedicated resources: Stay on schedule
Part-time attention: Add 2-3 weeks
Competing priorities: Can double timeline

Find Out How Long SOC 2 Will Take for You

Take our free 5-minute readiness assessment and get a personalized timeline estimate based on your current security posture.

Get Your Timeline Take Assessment

How to Speed Up Your SOC 2 Timeline

While you can't eliminate the Type 2 observation period, you can dramatically reduce the preparation time. Here's how:

1. Start with a Readiness Assessment

Know exactly where you stand before beginning. This prevents surprises and helps you prioritize effectively.

Time Saved: 2-3 weeks by avoiding false starts and focusing on what matters

2. Automate Evidence Collection

Connect your existing tools (AWS, Okta, GitHub, etc.) to automatically collect and organize evidence.

Time Saved: 100-150 hours that would be spent on manual screenshots and documentation

3. Use Pre-Built Policy Templates

Don't start from scratch. Use industry-standard templates customized to your organization.

Time Saved: 3-4 weeks of policy writing and legal review

4. Work with a Dedicated Advisor

Expert guidance prevents mistakes, reduces back-and-forth, and keeps you on track.

Time Saved: 4-6 weeks by avoiding common pitfalls and getting it right the first time

5. Choose the Right Auditor

Some auditors are faster and more efficient than others. Work with one who knows SaaS companies.

Time Saved: 2-3 weeks with an auditor who's done it before

6. Run Type 1 and Type 2 in Parallel

Get Type 1 certified first to unblock deals, then complete Type 2 during the observation period.

Time Saved: Start closing enterprise deals 3-6 months earlier

⚡ The Fast Track:

By combining all these strategies, companies using LowerPlane achieve SOC 2 Type 1 in an average of 32 days—compared to the industry average of 90+ days.

Real Company Examples: Timeline Comparisons

Here's how different approaches to SOC 2 affected actual company timelines:

32d

TechFlow (B2B SaaS)

Series A startup, 15 employees, single product

Approach: Automated platform with advisor (LowerPlane)

Starting Readiness: 70% (already had MFA, logging, basic policies)

Result: SOC 2 Type 1 in 32 days, Type 2 after 3-month observation

Cost: $4,995

12w

DataCorp (Analytics Platform)

Series B, 45 employees, multiple products

Approach: Traditional consulting firm

Starting Readiness: 50% (some gaps in access control and monitoring)

Result: SOC 2 Type 1 in 12 weeks, Type 2 after 6-month observation

Cost: $32,000

24w

CloudApp (Infrastructure)

Seed stage, 8 employees, early-stage product

Approach: DIY with part-time CTO leading effort

Starting Readiness: 30% (minimal security documentation)

Result: SOC 2 Type 1 in 24 weeks (failed first audit, had to remediate)

Cost: $18,000 + 200 hours of internal time

📊

Timeline Comparison Chart

Get SOC 2 Certified in 30 Days

Join 100+ companies that achieved SOC 2 certification in record time with LowerPlane's automated platform and expert guidance.

✓Average 32 days to Type 1 certification
✓98.7% first-time pass rate
✓40% of requirements automated
✓Dedicated advisor included

Start Your Fast Track

Key Takeaways

1
SOC 2 Type 1 typically takes 4-8 weeks, while Type 2 requires an additional 3-12 months for the observation period.
2
Your starting readiness is the single biggest factor—companies with mature security practices can move 50% faster.
3
Automation can reduce your timeline by weeks and save 100+ hours of manual work on evidence collection.
4
Starting with Type 1 while running your Type 2 observation period in parallel gets you to market faster.
5
With the right platform and guidance, most companies can achieve Type 1 certification in 30 days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I really get SOC 2 in 30 days?

Yes, SOC 2 Type 1 can be achieved in 30 days if you have reasonable security practices in place (60-70% readiness) and use an automated platform. However, Type 2 certification will always require a 3-12 month observation period to demonstrate controls operating over time. The 30-day timeline is specifically for Type 1, which is sufficient to unblock most enterprise deals while you work toward Type 2.

What's the minimum observation period for Type 2?

The minimum observation period for SOC 2 Type 2 is 3 months, but most companies choose 6 months as it's more credible to enterprise customers. Your first Type 2 report must cover at least 3 months, but renewal audits can cover 12 months for maximum credibility. The observation period starts when you have all controls in place and operating effectively—not from day one of your SOC 2 journey.

How long does the actual audit take?

The audit fieldwork typically takes 1-2 weeks for Type 1 and 1-2 weeks for Type 2, depending on your company size and scope. After fieldwork, expect another 1-2 weeks for the auditor to compile the report. However, the key is being prepared before the audit starts—companies using automated platforms have all evidence ready, while those doing it manually often cause delays by scrambling to find documents.

What if I'm not ready yet—should I wait?

Don't wait! Start the process now with a readiness assessment. Even if you're only 30-40% ready, you'll get a clear roadmap of what to fix, and you can start your observation period clock as soon as you're ready. Waiting to start costs you time—every day you delay is another day before you can close enterprise deals. Plus, implementing SOC 2 controls improves your actual security posture, not just your compliance status.