SOC 2 Implementation Guides
Industry-specific SOC 2 implementation guides tailored to your business model, technology stack, and compliance requirements. Choose the path that fits your organization.
Find Your Guide
Not sure which guide is right for you? Answer these quick questions to find the best starting point.
What's your industry?
What's your stage?
What's your goal?
Universal SOC 2 Principles
While each industry has unique requirements, these principles apply to all successful SOC 2 implementations:
Start Strategic, Not Perfect
- • Begin with narrow scope (core customer systems only)
- • Choose Security + one additional criteria initially
- • Expand scope and criteria in future audits
Build for Long-Term Success
- • Implement controls you can realistically maintain
- • Document actual practices, not aspirational goals
- • Plan for evidence collection from day one
Choose Your Implementation Path
Each guide provides specific technical implementations, evidence requirements, and best practices tailored to your industry and business model.
SaaS/Cloud Services
Complete guide for SaaS companies and cloud service providers. Focus on Security + Availability with cloud-native approaches.
SaaS companies, cloud platforms, tech startups
Key Focus Areas:
- Multi-tenant security patterns
- Cloud provider integration (AWS/Azure/GCP)
- API security and rate limiting
- Uptime SLA monitoring
Healthcare Technology
Specialized guidance for HealthTech companies navigating both SOC 2 and HIPAA compliance requirements.
HealthTech, telemedicine, healthcare SaaS
Key Focus Areas:
- SOC 2 + HIPAA dual compliance
- PHI handling procedures
- Enhanced access controls
- Business Associate Agreement requirements
Financial Services
Enhanced security approach for FinTech and financial services with regulatory compliance considerations.
FinTech, payment processors, financial SaaS
Key Focus Areas:
- SOC 2 + PCI DSS intersection
- Processing Integrity focus
- Enhanced security controls
- Regulatory reporting requirements
E-commerce Platforms
Specialized guide for e-commerce platforms and payment processing with customer data protection focus.
E-commerce platforms, payment processing, retail tech
Key Focus Areas:
- Customer payment data flows
- PCI DSS considerations
- Multi-merchant environments
- Seasonal traffic handling
Early-Stage Startups
Minimal viable compliance approach for seed to Series A companies with limited resources.
Seed to Series A companies
Key Focus Areas:
- Cost-effective tool recommendations
- Resource allocation for small teams
- Preparing for enterprise sales
- Gradual compliance building
Guide Comparison
| Guide | Difficulty | Timeline | Criteria | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
SaaS/Cloud Services | Medium | 6-9 months | Security + Availability | SaaS companies |
Healthcare Technology | Advanced | 9-12 months | Security + Privacy + Confidentiality | HealthTech |
Financial Services | Advanced | 12-18 months | All Five Criteria | FinTech |
E-commerce Platforms | Medium | 6-12 months | Security + Processing Integrity + Availability | E-commerce platforms |
Early-Stage Startups | Easy | 3-6 months | Security + Availability (minimal) | Seed to Series A companies |
Tools & Resources for All Guides
Regardless of which guide you follow, these resources will accelerate your implementation and ensure you dondon'tapos;t miss critical requirements.
Policy Templates
Pre-written policies covering all SOC 2 requirements, customizable for your industry.
Browse Policies →Compliance Checklist
Interactive checklist to track your progress through SOC 2 implementation.
Use Checklist →Evidence Guidance
Detailed explanations of what auditors expect to see for each control.
View Evidence →SOC 2 Primer
Complete introduction to SOC 2 concepts, criteria, and implementation basics.
Read Primer →Ready to Start Your SOC 2 Journey?
Choose your implementation guide and get access to all the templates, checklists, and guidance you need to achieve SOC 2 compliance efficiently.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to follow just one guide?
Start with the guide that best matches your primary business model. You can reference other guides for specific requirements (e.g., a SaaS company handling healthcare data might use both SaaS and Healthcare guides).
Can I switch guides mid-implementation?
Yes, but itit'sapos;s better to choose the right guide upfront. If your business model changes significantly, you may need to adjust your approach, but the foundational work (policies, basic controls) will largely carry over.
How do I know if I'm ready for an audit?
Each guide includes readiness indicators and self-assessment tools. Generally, you need 3-12 months of evidence showing your controls operated effectively. Consider a pre-audit assessment before engaging your auditor.
What if my industry isnisn'tapos;t covered?
Start with the SaaS guide as a foundation - it covers the most common SOC 2 patterns. Then adapt based on your specific regulatory requirements. Contact us if you need guidance for a specific industry not covered here.