Removes a procurement blocker — a SOC 2 Type II report closes the security questionnaire loop for US enterprise buyers and eliminates a common reason deals stall
SOC 2 Overview & Xiligent Trust Services Enablement
Demonstrate security and reliability with the Trust Services Criteria.
SOC 2 helps service organizations prove controls across Security, Availability, Processing Integrity, Confidentiality, and Privacy. We manage readiness, gaps, implementation, and audit prep.
- Tailored controls for cloud & SaaS
- TSC mapping and gap remediation
- Evidence management & audit support
- Continuous compliance & monitoring
SOC 2 Compliance
Demonstrating Trust, Security & Reliability for Modern Cloud Businesses
In a world where organizations rely heavily on cloud platforms and digital services, customers expect strong safeguards around how their data is managed. SOC 2 (System and Organization Controls 2) is one of the most recognized frameworks for proving that a company takes security, privacy, and operational integrity seriously. Our SOC 2 compliance service helps businesses build trust with clients, strengthen internal controls, and demonstrate a mature information security posture.
What SOC 2 actually is — and what it is not
SOC 2 is an auditing standard, not a certification. Unlike ISO 27001, there is no certificate — what you receive is an audit report, prepared by a licensed CPA firm, that attests to whether your controls meet the applicable Trust Service Criteria over a defined period. This distinction matters commercially: a SOC 2 report is a point-in-time attestation from an independent auditor, not a badge you display on your website.
Type I vs Type II
There are two types of SOC 2 report, and they are not equivalent:
- SOC 2 Type I assesses whether your controls are suitably designed as of a specific date. It tells auditors and clients that your controls exist and are appropriately designed — but it says nothing about whether they actually operated over time.
- SOC 2 Type II assesses whether your controls were both suitably designed and operating effectively over an observation period — typically six to twelve months. This is the report that US enterprise clients actually want. A Type I report is sometimes used as an interim step while the observation period accumulates, but it does not substitute for Type II in most procurement contexts.
Be cautious of vendors or consultants who emphasise Type I as an end goal. Most US enterprise procurement teams know the difference, and a Type I report in place of a Type II will often not close the deal.
The Trust Service Criteria
SOC 2 reports are issued against one or more of five Trust Service Criteria. Security — also called the Common Criteria — is mandatory. The others are optional and selected based on what is relevant to your service:
- Security: Protection of the system against unauthorised access, disclosure, and damage — the baseline that every SOC 2 report includes
- Availability: The system is available for operation and use as committed or agreed — relevant for infrastructure providers and businesses with SLA commitments
- Processing Integrity: System processing is complete, valid, accurate, timely, and authorised — relevant for transaction processing, financial data, and critical workflow services
- Confidentiality: Information designated as confidential is protected as committed or agreed — relevant for businesses handling commercially sensitive client information
- Privacy: Personal information is collected, used, retained, disclosed, and disposed of in accordance with the entity’s privacy notice — relevant for businesses processing personal data at scale
Most technology service providers start with Security only, or Security plus Confidentiality. The right scope depends on what your clients are asking for and what risks your service presents.
Who needs a SOC 2 report
- SaaS companies with US enterprise customers or a US go-to-market strategy — SOC 2 Type II is typically required before procurement can approve a new vendor
- Cloud infrastructure providers, hosting companies, and managed service providers whose clients include US-regulated businesses
- Data analytics, AI, and data processing businesses handling US customer or consumer data
- Indian IT services and outsourcing companies serving US financial services, healthcare, or technology clients — SOC 2 is increasingly a vendor onboarding requirement in these sectors
- Gulf-based technology businesses seeking to expand into the US market or serve US-headquartered multinationals
- Startups preparing for Series A or later fundraising from US investors, where SOC 2 readiness is increasingly reviewed as part of technical due diligence
- Any business that has lost, delayed, or is at risk of losing a US enterprise deal because of an inability to provide a SOC 2 report
If your customers are asking for SOC 2 and you do not have it, that is the clearest possible signal that you need it. If they have not asked yet but you are actively selling to US enterprise, it will come.
SOC 2 and ISO 27001 — choosing between them, or doing both
A common question for technology businesses, particularly those with both US and European or Asian clients, is whether to pursue SOC 2 or ISO 27001 — or both. The practical answer depends on your client base. US enterprise buyers generally expect SOC 2. European and Gulf buyers, regulated-sector clients, and government procurement processes more commonly reference ISO 27001. If you are selling to both, you may need both. The good news is that there is substantial overlap between the two frameworks at the control level. A well-implemented ISO 27001 ISMS covers the majority of the SOC 2 Common Criteria controls. Businesses that implement one framework thoughtfully can achieve the other at significantly reduced incremental cost. We implement both and we design our implementations to maximise that overlap.
What SOC 2 gives your business
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US enterprise clients are asking for this. Let us help you get there.
A readiness assessment is the right starting point — it tells you exactly what needs to be done, in what order, and how long it will take. No assumptions about your current state, no generic roadmaps.
How long does it take to get a SOC 2 Type II report?
+The total timeline has two components: readiness (building and implementing the controls) and the observation period (the time over which the auditor assesses whether controls operated effectively). For a business starting from a reasonable security baseline, readiness typically takes two to four months. The observation period is typically six to twelve months. So from starting the process to receiving a Type II report, most businesses should plan for eight to fourteen months. If you have an urgent client requirement, a Type I report can be obtained more quickly as a bridge — but be clear with your client about what it covers and does not cover.
How much does it cost?
+SOC 2 costs vary significantly based on scope, organisational complexity, the CPA firm engaged, and how much readiness work needs to be done. As a rough guide, readiness preparation for a small to mid-sized SaaS company typically runs in the range of tens of thousands of dollars in consulting fees, and CPA audit fees add further cost on top. Businesses that start in a poor state of readiness spend more on remediation. Businesses that are well-prepared before the observation period begins spend less overall. We give you an honest cost estimate after a readiness assessment — not before we know what we are looking at.
Can we use a compliance automation platform instead?
+Compliance automation platforms — tools like Vanta, Drata, and Secureframe — can be genuinely useful for evidence collection, control monitoring, and managing the ongoing operational burden of SOC 2. They do not replace the need for proper control design, policy development, and audit preparation — and they do not replace the CPA firm. Most businesses that use these platforms well still benefit from expert guidance on what to implement and how. We work alongside these tools where clients have already adopted them, and we can advise on whether a platform makes sense for your situation.