SOC 2 compliance requirements can put significant pressure on your operations team. Without dedicated, trained resources, the assessment, gap remediation, and audit preparation process is time-consuming and expensive. Our SSAE 18 SOC 1 and SOC 2 readiness and remediation services reduce that burden significantly, freeing your team to focus on the business while we manage the compliance process.
Not every service organisation benefits from pursuing SOC compliance without a prior assessment. We start there. A structured readiness assessment tells you exactly where your gaps are, what the audit will cost, and whether Type 1 or Type 2 is the right starting point for your business.
SOC 2 Type 1 assesses whether your security controls are properly designed at a single point in time. It is faster to achieve and often used as a stepping stone to Type 2, or when clients need assurance quickly.
SOC 2 Type 2 assesses whether your controls are operating effectively over a defined period, typically 6 to 12 months. It carries more weight with enterprise clients and is increasingly required for SaaS companies, fintech firms, and service providers handling sensitive data.
Not sure which is right for your business? Book a free SOC 2 readiness consultation.
Simple. Fast. Effective. Our proven process takes Canadian companies from readiness assessment to attestation in as little as 4 months.
Preparation
Assessment
Remediation
Audit
Attestation
SOC 2 compliance is built around five Trust Service Criteria established by the AICPA. Your audit scope is determined by which criteria apply to your business. Security is mandatory for all organisations. The remaining four are selected based on your services and client commitments.
Criteria 1
Security
Required for all SOC 2 audits. Covers protection of systems and data against unauthorised access, both physical and logical. Includes access controls, encryption, monitoring, and incident response.
Criteria 2
Availability
Ensures your systems are available for operation and use as committed. Relevant for organisations where uptime and service continuity are part of client agreements or SLAs.
Criteria 3
Processing Integrity
Addresses whether system processing is complete, valid, accurate, timely, and authorised. Most relevant for financial processing platforms, payroll systems, and data processing services.
Criteria 4
Confidentiality
Covers how information designated as confidential is protected. Applies to organisations that handle sensitive business data, trade secrets, or proprietary client information under NDA or contract.
Criteria 5
Privacy
Addresses the collection, use, retention, disclosure, and disposal of personal information. Particularly relevant for Canadian companies also subject to PIPEDA, and for any organisation handling consumer personal data.
Not Sure Which Apply?
Start With a Readiness Assessment
We determine which criteria apply to your business, assess your current controls against each one, and build a remediation plan before the audit begins.
Book a Free AssessmentThe three SOC report types serve different purposes. Most Canadian technology and service companies need SOC 2. Here is how they compare.
| SOC 1 | SOC 2 Most Common | SOC 3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it covers | Controls over financial reporting and processing | Security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy | Same scope as SOC 2 but in a simplified public-facing format |
| Who needs it | Payroll processors, accounting firms, financial service providers | SaaS companies, cloud providers, MSPs, fintech, healthcare IT | Organisations wanting a public trust page without sharing a full audit report |
| Report audience | Restricted to management and auditors | Restricted to clients and prospects under NDA | Publicly available |
| Type 1 and Type 2 | Both available | Both available. Type 2 is the standard for most enterprise client requirements | Based on Type 2 only |
| When to choose it | Your clients need assurance over financial processing controls specifically | Your clients or enterprise prospects require security and data protection assurance | You want to display compliance credentials publicly without sharing the full report |
Not sure which applies to your business? Book a free consultation and we will tell you in 30 minutes.
SOC 2 is increasingly required across any industry where businesses store, process, or transmit client data. These are the Canadian sectors where we see the highest demand.
SaaS Companies
Enterprise clients and procurement teams routinely require SOC 2 Type 2 before signing SaaS contracts. Without it, deals stall or go to a compliant competitor.
Fintech and Financial Services
Canadian fintech companies handling payments, lending, or financial data face intense scrutiny from banking partners and regulators. SOC 2 demonstrates the control environment required.
Healthcare IT and Digital Health
Digital health platforms, EHR systems, and healthcare software vendors are increasingly required to hold SOC 2 alongside PHIPA and PIPEDA obligations to win hospital and clinic contracts.
Managed Service Providers
MSPs managing IT infrastructure for multiple clients are high-value targets for attackers. Enterprise clients now frequently require SOC 2 attestation from their MSPs as a condition of engagement.
Cloud Infrastructure and Hosting
Canadian cloud and hosting providers face direct competition from SOC 2 certified US providers. Certification levels the playing field and opens enterprise procurement opportunities.
Professional Services Firms
Accounting firms, legal practices, and consulting firms handling sensitive client data are increasingly asked to provide SOC 2 reports during enterprise RFP processes.
Your industry not listed? Contact us and we will tell you whether SOC 2 applies to your business.
SOC 2 compliance has three distinct cost phases. Most Canadian companies invest between $30,000 and $100,000+ depending on organisation size, scope, and the number of gaps identified. Here is how that breaks down.
What drives your actual cost?
Organisation size, number of systems in scope, how many criteria apply, and how mature your existing controls are.
After completing SOC 2 readiness assessments across dozens of Canadian organisations, these are the control gaps we find most consistently. Knowing them in advance saves time and money.
Access Control Weaknesses
Overprivileged user accounts, shared credentials, missing multi-factor authentication, and lack of formal access review processes. This is the most common finding across every sector.
Undocumented Change Management
Changes to production systems are made without formal approval, testing, or documentation. Auditors look for a consistent, repeatable change management process with evidence of each step.
No Formal Risk Assessment Process
Many organisations manage risks informally. SOC 2 requires a documented, repeatable risk assessment process that identifies, evaluates, and responds to risks on a regular cadence.
Weak Vendor Management Controls
Third-party vendors with access to systems or data are rarely formally assessed. SOC 2 requires a vendor management programme that includes security reviews and ongoing monitoring of critical suppliers.
Missing Incident Response Plan
A documented incident response plan with defined roles, escalation paths, and evidence of testing is required. Most companies have informal response habits but nothing auditors can evaluate against.
Gaps in Security Monitoring and Logging
Insufficient logging coverage, short log retention periods, and no alerting on anomalous activity are frequent findings. Auditors need evidence that monitoring is continuous and that alerts are acted on.
Find your gaps before the auditor does
Our readiness assessment identifies exactly which of these gaps exist in your environment and gives you a prioritised remediation plan.
SOC 2 is not a one-time achievement. Maintaining your attestation and keeping your controls effective is an ongoing process. Here is what to expect after you receive your report.
Share the Report With Clients and Prospects
Your SOC 2 report is shared under NDA with clients, procurement teams, and enterprise prospects. Many deals that were previously stalled will move forward once the report is in hand.
Maintain Continuous Control Operation
Controls must continue operating as described in the report. Any changes to systems, processes, or personnel that affect controls need to be documented and assessed for impact on your compliance posture.
Annual Re-audit or Type 2 Renewal
Most enterprise clients expect an annual SOC 2 report. If you started with Type 1, this is typically when organisations move to Type 2. The annual cycle keeps your report current and your client relationships in good standing.
Expand Scope as Your Business Grows
As you add services, enter new markets, or take on larger clients, your SOC 2 scope may need to expand to cover additional Trust Service Criteria or new systems. We help you manage scope changes without disrupting your compliance status.
We Support You Through Every Cycle
Our SOC 2 engagements do not end at attestation. We provide ongoing advisory support to keep your controls current, prepare you for annual re-audits, and help you respond when clients ask compliance questions.
Everything Canadian companies need to know before starting the SOC 2 process.
SOC 2 is a framework established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) that defines standards for managing customer data based on five trust service criteria: security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy. A SOC 2 report demonstrates to clients and partners that your organisation has the controls in place to protect their data.
SOC 2 is most commonly required for SaaS companies, cloud service providers, fintech firms, managed service providers, and any business that stores, processes, or transmits customer data on behalf of other organisations. Enterprise clients and financial institutions increasingly require a SOC 2 report before signing contracts with vendors.
SOC 2 Type 1 assesses whether your security controls are properly designed at a single point in time. SOC 2 Type 2 assesses whether those controls are operating effectively over a defined period, typically 6 to 12 months. Type 2 carries more weight with enterprise clients and is the standard most organisations ultimately need to achieve.
SOC 2 Type 1 can typically be completed in 2 to 3 months. SOC 2 Type 2 requires a monitoring period of 6 to 12 months before the audit can be completed. Using our proven 5-step process, most Canadian companies achieve their first SOC 2 attestation in as little as 4 months.
SOC 2 compliance costs vary based on the size of your organisation, the scope of systems in scope, and whether you are pursuing Type 1 or Type 2. Costs typically include readiness assessment, gap remediation, and the audit itself. Contact us for a scoped estimate based on your specific environment.
SOC 2 is widely accepted in Canada and is often required by US-based clients and enterprise buyers. Canadian-specific frameworks like PIPEDA address privacy obligations but do not replace SOC 2 for service organisations. Many Canadian companies pursue both SOC 2 and PIPEDA compliance to satisfy domestic and international requirements.
Not necessarily. A readiness assessment is the right first step to determine whether SOC 2 is appropriate for your business, which trust service criteria apply, and what gaps need to be addressed before committing to a full audit. We help you make that determination before you spend money on the process.
