A practical guide to SOC 2 for Australian SaaS companies. Covers the AICPA Trust Services Criteria, Type I vs Type II, realistic AUD costs, how SOC 2 differs from ISO 27001, and how the PECB Lead SOC 2 Analyst course fits a readiness program. Critical accuracy point: SOC 2 is an attestation report, not a certification — only licensed CPA firms can issue the report.
SOC 2 (System and Organization Controls 2) is an attestation framework developed by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). Used by service organisations (SaaS, MSPs) to demonstrate controls relevant to the Trust Services Criteria: Security (always required), Availability, Confidentiality, Processing Integrity, Privacy.
ISO 27001 is a certifiable management system standard — accredited certification bodies issue certificates. SOC 2 is different: a CPA firm issues an OPINION (the SOC 2 report) on whether your controls were designed (Type I) or were designed and operated effectively over a period (Type II). There is no certificate.
Most buyers want Type II — it tests operating effectiveness over a 6 or 12 month period. Type I tests design at a point in time. The Australian SaaS pattern: 8–12 weeks readiness → Type I report → 6-month Type II audit window → first Type II report (10–12 months total).
PECB Lead SOC 2 Analyst training: $849 AUD (Aegentra Academy). Readiness consulting: $25k–$60k. SOC 2 Type I audit: $15k–$30k. SOC 2 Type II audit (CPA firm): $30k–$70k annually. Continuous compliance tooling: $15k–$40k annually.
SOC 2 is preferred by US enterprise buyers; ISO 27001 by EU, UK, AU, APAC, and government. Control overlap is 60–80% depending on TSCs included. Pragmatic rule: ISO 27001 first if buyers are local/European; SOC 2 first if buyers are American. Both if you sell across regions.