Understanding the SOC 2 Trust Services Criteria and Where to Start

For many growing companies, SOC 2 compliance feels like a black box. You know it is critical for building customer trust, unlocking larger deals, and meeting security expectations, but where do you start? Do you need to cover all five Trust Services Criteria? How much time will it take? What will the auditor expect?

At GRC Concierge, we work with organizations at every stage of their compliance journey. Whether you're just beginning or refining a mature program, understanding what each SOC 2 criterion involves can help you make confident, strategic decisions.

The Five Trust Services Criteria (TSC)

Each Trust Services Criterion focuses on a different aspect of how your company manages systems, processes, and data. 

Here’s a quick breakdown of each one, including how much work is typically involved:

1. Security
Security is the core of SOC 2. It covers everything from firewalls and access controls to vulnerability management and incident response. Nearly all of your foundational controls and documentation live here. This is where every company starts.
Estimated preparation: 2 to 3 months

2. Availability
Availability measures how reliably your systems stay online and meet performance expectations. If your customers care about uptime or you offer SLAs, you will want to include this. You will need to show system monitoring, backups, and continuity plans.
Estimated preparation: Additional 2 to 4 weeks if included

3. Processing Integrity
This criterion applies if your system processes high volumes of data or makes decisions on behalf of users. You will need to demonstrate that your data flows are accurate, complete, and timely, often with testing records and automated controls.
Estimated preparation: Additional 2 to 4 weeks if included

4. Confidentiality
Confidentiality covers how you protect sensitive internal or third-party data, whether it is client IP, trade secrets, or restricted internal documents. It involves access control reviews, encryption, and documentation on how data is shared and stored.
Estimated preparation: Additional 2 to 3 weeks if included

5. Privacy
Privacy focuses on how you collect, use, retain, and dispose of personal information. If your product handles customer PII, you will need privacy notices, consent workflows, data subject request procedures, and evidence of compliance with laws like GDPR or CCPA.
Estimated preparation: Additional 4 to 6 weeks if included

Where Should You Start?

You do not need to tackle all five criteria at once. Most companies begin with Security only or Security combined with Availability, and expand their scope over time based on customer expectations or regulatory requirements.

At GRC Concierge, we help you identify what is required, what is realistic, and what adds the most value for your business without overengineering your first audit.

If you're unsure where to begin, start with a conversation. Let’s chart a SOC 2 path that fits your team, your risk tolerance, and your growth goals.