SOC2 in 2 Weeks?

Have you ever seen advertisements with taglines like, “SOC 2 in 2 weeks, money-back guarantee”? Due to how common these taglines have become, someone unfamiliar with the topic might see them as a standard or even think they’re getting a great deal. But have you ever paused for a moment and asked yourself: Is it really possible for my company to be SOC 2 certified in just two weeks?

If you have, then you're already on the right path.
If not, let me give you a brief overview of what SOC 2 is all about.

SOC2 A Broad Overview

SOC 2 (System and Organization Controls 2) is an auditing framework created by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) that evaluates how well organizations protect customer data and maintain reliable systems.

It's important to remember that SOC 2 is not a certification it's an attestation that proves your controls actually work. Think of it as a comprehensive report card that demonstrates to customers, partners, and stakeholders that you take data protection seriously.

And you should know that there are two types of SOC 2 reports: Type I and Type II.
So, what’s the difference?

Type I provides a point-in-time snapshot of your control design.

Type II evaluates how your controls actually perform over a period of 3 to 12 months.

Can you see the difference now? Most of those ads are actually offering SOC 2 Type I, not SOC 2 Type II. So why is that a problem? Because most companies want to see a SOC 2 Type II report, not Type I.

Now, back to the main topic is "SOC 2 in 2 Weeks" even possible?
In theory, yes, it’s possible if everyone involved drops everything else and fully focuses on the SOC 2 implementation (though in most cases, that’s highly unlikely). And remember, this only applies to Type I.

The reality is that implementing SOC 2 goes far beyond just writing policies, procedures, or designing good systems. It’s also about how well you implement and operate those controls over a set period of time.

So, the reality check: how long does it really take to implement SOC 2?

From personal experience, it typically takes 6 to 9 months* for most organizations, with significant variation depending on your starting point and the scope. Here's a general timeline:

Months 1-2: Planning & Assessment

• Scope definition  

• Gap analysis against current controls (if you already have control)

• Auditor selection and engagement

• Project team setup and resource allocation

Months 2-4: Control Implementation

• Policy development and approval

• Technical control deployment

• Process documentation and procedures

• Staff training and awareness

• Evidence collection systems setup

Month 4-6 Pre-audit preparation

• Internal control testing

• Evidence gathering and documentation

• Remediation of identified gaps

• Mock audit or readiness assessment

And that’s actually the truth of implementing SOC2.

So now, like we always say: take your time, do it right, and remember—a strong foundation today will save you from a thousand headaches tomorrow.

Because security isn’t a sprint—it’s a marathon.

^{Disclaimer: 6 – 9 months mentioned in this article is based on previous clients' experience working with FEHA in a comfortable pace. If you believe you can implement the whole controls faster than that, we are always happy to support your target timeline as well.}  

‍