The short answer
If a deal is waiting on a SOC 2 report right now and your controls are new, a Type I gets you a report sooner, because it looks at one date. If you have a little time, or your buyers have said they need evidence of operation, go straight to a Type II with a short first observation window.
What actually differs
| Type I | Type II | |
|---|---|---|
| What the auditor tests | Whether controls are designed properly | Whether controls worked across a period |
| Period | One date | An observation window, commonly 3 to 12 months |
| Evidence | Policies, configurations, a snapshot | Samples from across the whole window |
| What buyers think of it | A good start | The report they usually want |
How to choose
- Ask the customer. Many will accept a Type I now with a commitment to a Type II.
- Look at your controls. If they have only just been put in place, a Type II window has to start after that anyway.
- Count the cost twice. A Type I followed by a Type II is two audits; going straight to a Type II is one.
- Plan the window. A 3-month first window is common and keeps the first report close.
Either way
The preparation is the same: scope, policies, owned controls and evidence. Our SOC 2 readiness checklist covers it.
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