SOC 2 Type I vs Type II
The first decision in any SOC 2 compliance program is which report you need. A Type I report proves your controls are suitably designed as of a specific date — it is faster and cheaper, and ideal when a customer needs a report quickly to close a deal. A Type II report proves your controls operated effectively across an observation period of 3 to 12 months, and is what most sophisticated enterprise buyers ultimately require.
The smart play for most Canadian companies: pursue Type I to unblock your immediate sale, and start your Type II observation window at the same time so the stronger report follows naturally. Our step-by-step guide, how to prepare for a SOC 2 audit in 90 days, walks through the timeline.
The Trust Services Criteria
SOC 2 evaluates your controls against five Trust Services Criteria: Security (required for every report), Availability, Processing Integrity, Confidentiality, and Privacy. Most companies start with Security only — the Common Criteria (CC1–CC9) — which satisfies the majority of enterprise sales requirements. The criteria cover the control environment, risk assessment, access controls, change management, monitoring, and incident response.
For the full breakdown of costs, timeline, and the Canadian-specific considerations, see our guide on how to get SOC 2 certified in Canada.
How SecuritComply automates SOC 2 compliance in Canada
- SOC 2 Trust Services Criteria pre-loaded — every Common Criteria mapped and ready to track
- Guided readiness wizard that shows exactly what is missing before your audit
- Policy templates aligned to SOC 2, approved and version-controlled
- One evidence repository — screenshots, exports, access reviews, and tickets in one place
- Auditor portal with token-gated, read-only access for your CPA firm
- Canadian data residency — all evidence and records stay on Canadian servers
Timeline and cost
A SOC 2 report can only be issued by a licensed CPA firm, so the auditor's calendar — not yours — often sets the end date. Engage one early. With SecuritComply handling the controls, evidence, and readiness checks, most Canadian teams reach Type I readiness in weeks rather than months, at a fraction of the cost of enterprise GRC tools. Estimate your savings with our compliance cost calculator, or find an auditor through the SecuritComply marketplace.
Need the security controls operated for you as well? Our sister company, Secur-IT Data Solutions, provides managed cybersecurity services that map directly to SOC 2 requirements.
SOC 2 compliance FAQ
What is SOC 2 compliance and why do Canadian companies need it?▾
SOC 2 is an attestation standard from the AICPA that proves your company protects customer data across the Trust Services Criteria. Canadian SaaS and B2B companies need it because enterprise customers — especially in the United States — require a SOC 2 report before they will sign a contract.
What is the difference between SOC 2 Type I and Type II?▾
A Type I report assesses whether your controls are suitably designed at a single point in time. A Type II report tests whether those controls operated effectively over an observation period, usually 3 to 12 months. Most enterprise buyers ultimately require Type II.
How long does SOC 2 compliance take in Canada?▾
A Type I report is achievable in roughly 6 to 12 weeks with the right preparation. A Type II report adds the observation period on top. Many Canadian companies pursue Type I to close a deal, then continue operating controls toward a Type II report.
Does SOC 2 require my data to stay in Canada?▾
SOC 2 itself does not mandate data residency, but many Canadian customers and regulated buyers do. SecuritComply keeps all of your compliance data in Canada, so you can meet SOC 2 and Canadian data-residency expectations at the same time.
How does SecuritComply help with SOC 2 compliance?▾
SecuritComply ships with the SOC 2 Trust Services Criteria pre-loaded, a guided readiness wizard, policy templates, and a single place to collect and track evidence — so your team walks into the audit prepared rather than scrambling.