A SOC 2 self assessment answers one question: are you ready to pass, and what will slow you down? Most teams use it to avoid buying tools or engaging auditors before they understand the gap. The output is a short, owned remediation plan that tells you what to build, what to fix, and how long it will take.
SOC 2 is an examination tied to the Trust Services Criteria from the AICPA. Security is mandatory. Availability, confidentiality, processing integrity, and privacy are optional based on your service commitments.
Before you score anything, lock down three decisions:
Most enterprise customers expect Type 2. Type 1 closes short‑term gaps but rarely satisfies long‑term vendor requirements.
List every control in plain language. Auditors will test whether each control operates as documented, so clarity matters. Each control needs four elements:
Controls without clear owners or evidence trails fail in audits. Define both now.
Use a simple four‑level scale:
Anything scored 0 or 1 becomes a remediation priority. Auditors sample controls across the observation period, so inconsistency shows up quickly.
Focus on gaps that consistently appear in failed audits:
These are the controls auditors check first. If your self assessment finds them weak, fix them before the audit period starts.
A useful self assessment ends with a short, actionable plan. For each gap, document:
Timeboxing matters. Most teams complete a SOC 2 self assessment in two to four weeks, depending on program maturity and organizational size.
Self assessments are helpful, but they miss things. Your team is too close to the work, and assumptions about control design or evidence sufficiency often fail under auditor scrutiny.
Neutral Partners offers internal audit services to test controls the way an external auditor would. We identify gaps before the formal audit starts, verify evidence quality, and confirm that your controls operate as documented. Since 2017, we have kept a 100% audit pass rate across every client engagement.
An independent readiness test catches issues early, saves remediation time, and removes uncertainty before the observation period begins.
It depends on scope and program maturity. Most teams complete the assessment in two to four weeks. The key is to timebox the work and focus on high‑risk controls first: identity and access management, change management, logging and monitoring, and incident response.
No. A self assessment identifies gaps, but you still need to remediate those gaps, implement controls, and collect consistent evidence over the observation period. An independent internal audit validates readiness and confirms your program will hold up under external review.
Start with the Common Criteria that appear in every SOC 2 audit: access controls, change management, system operations, and monitoring. These control families drive the majority of audit findings.
AI can summarize evidence requests, highlight control gaps, and draft policy language. But humans must confirm evidence accuracy, validate control design, and run the actual controls. Auditors test whether controls operate as documented, not whether documentation exists.
We turn your self assessment into an auditor‑ready roadmap, then validate controls with internal audit testing. You get a clear picture of where you stand, what needs fixing, and how long remediation will take. We also provide hands‑on support to implement missing controls and prepare evidence for the external audit. Learn more about our compliance services or explore our full SOC 2 certification service.