soc2audit.ai logo
start free 15 day trial
Sign In
SOC 2 Guide

How long does SOC 2 take?

The honest answer: it depends on where you start and which type you need. Here is each phase, what drives its length, and where time is usually lost.
Start your free gap assessment
PhaseWhat happensWhat drives the length
ReadinessScope the system and run a gap assessmentHow clearly you can describe your environment
RemediationWrite policies, close technical gaps, start recurring reviewsHow many gaps you have and who does the work
Observation period (Type 2 only)Controls operate while evidence accumulatesThe period agreed with your auditor, commonly 3 to 12 months
FieldworkThe auditor tests controls and samples evidenceHow organized and complete your evidence is
ReportThe CPA firm drafts, reviews and issues the reportThe firm's review process and any exceptions

Typical paths

  • Type 1: readiness and remediation, then a point-in-time examination. Companies with mature controls can move in weeks; companies starting from zero often need a few months.
  • Type 2: everything above, plus the observation period. First Type 2 reports often use 3 to 6 months; renewals commonly cover 12 months.

Where time is lost

  • Not knowing what to do next after the gap assessment.
  • Policies written but not followed, which surfaces in testing.
  • Evidence scattered across email and shared drives.
  • Back-and-forth with the auditor over missing or unclear artifacts.

soc2audit.ai is built to remove those delays: the AI gives you the next step, evidence requests are mapped to controls, and your auditor works inside the platform. The audit timeline itself is always set by your CPA firm.

Start your free gap assessmentBook a 15-min walkthrough

Frequently asked questions

How long does a SOC 2 audit take?

Fieldwork is usually the shortest part. The total time depends mostly on readiness and, for Type 2, the observation period, which is commonly 3 to 12 months.

What is the fastest way to get a SOC 2 report?

Start with a Type 1 once your controls are designed and in place, then begin your Type 2 observation period.

Can the observation period start before remediation is finished?

Controls need to be operating during the period for the auditor to test them, so most companies start the period once key controls are running.

Related

SOC 2 Type 1 vs Type 2

Which report you need, and when. On SOC2Compliance.com.

How much SOC 2 costs

A full SOC 2 budget breakdown. On SOC2Compliance.com.

SOC 2 readiness checklist

The control-by-control checklist. On SOC2Compliance.com.

Sources

  1. AICPA: System and Organization Controls (SOC) suite of services
  2. AICPA: 2017 Trust Services Criteria (With Revised Points of Focus, 2022)
  3. Drata: SOC 2 Type 1 vs Type 2
This guide is general information, not audit or legal advice. Your CPA firm decides the scope, period and testing for your examination. soc2audit.ai is a product of Cybersecurity Services, LLC.