How do I handle SOC 2 when my team has no security background?
You Don't Need a Security Expert
SOC 2 doesn't require a CISO or security engineer. It requires:
- Reasonable security controls for your size and risk
- Policies that describe those controls accurately
- Evidence that the controls work
Most engineering teams already practice good security habits (code reviews, MFA, access controls). SOC 2 just asks you to write it down and prove it.
What You Actually Need to Know
| Topic | What to Learn | How Long |
|---|---|---|
| Trust Services Criteria | Which criteria apply to your audit | 1 hour |
| Your control environment | What security practices you already have | 2 hours |
| Evidence requirements | What auditors will ask for | 2 hours |
| Policy writing | How to describe your controls in SOC 2 format | 4 hours |
The Learning Path
Step 1: Understand the Framework
Read the AICPA Trust Services Criteria document (free online). Focus on the Security category — that's the baseline for every SOC 2 audit.
Step 2: Inventory Your Controls
List what you already do: code reviews via PRs, MFA on email, encrypted database, cloud hosting. You'll be surprised how much is already in place.
Step 3: Identify Gaps
Common gaps for teams without security background:
- No formal access review process
- No incident response plan
- No vendor management documentation
- No background checks for employees
- No security awareness training
Step 4: Fill the Gaps
Each gap takes 2-4 hours to address. Write an access review process. Draft an incident response plan based on how you'd actually respond to a breach. Start conducting background checks for new hires.
Step 5: Get Help Where Needed
You don't need a full-time security hire or a $15K consultant. Options:
- AI compliance tools (Screenata) provide the expertise through software
- Part-time advisors ($2K-$5K for targeted help)
- Auditor pre-engagement — some auditors offer pre-audit guidance
One Warning
Don't fake expertise you don't have. If your auditor asks about your security program and you recite memorized compliance jargon, they'll probe deeper. Instead, be straightforward about what you do and how you do it. Auditors prefer honest, simple answers over polished but hollow ones.