Summary

The Security criterion — also called the Common Criteria — is mandatory for all SOC 2 reports. It covers logical access controls, encryption, monitoring, and incident response.

SOC 2 Type II for Marketing Software: A Complete Guide to Getting Certified

If you’re building or scaling a marketing software platform, SOC 2 Type II certification is no longer a “nice to have” — it’s a competitive necessity. Enterprise buyers, marketing agencies, and B2B customers increasingly require proof of security controls before signing contracts. This guide walks you through exactly how to get SOC 2 Type II for your marketing software, from understanding the framework to passing your audit.

What Is SOC 2 Type II and Why Does It Matter for Marketing Software?

SOC 2 (System and Organization Controls 2) is an auditing standard developed by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). It evaluates how a software company manages customer data based on five Trust Service Criteria (TSC): Security, Availability, Processing Integrity, Confidentiality, and Privacy.

Type II goes further than Type I. Instead of a point-in-time snapshot, a Type II audit evaluates whether your controls were operating effectively over a sustained period — typically 6 to 12 months.

For marketing software companies, this matters because:

You handle sensitive customer data including email lists, behavioral data, CRM records, and campaign analytics
Enterprise clients often require SOC 2 Type II before procurement approval
It differentiates you from competitors who haven’t invested in formal security programs
It reduces the risk of data breaches that could destroy customer trust

Which Trust Service Criteria Apply to Marketing Software?

Not every marketing software company needs all five criteria. Here’s how to think about scope:

Security (Required)

The Security criterion — also called the Common Criteria — is mandatory for all SOC 2 reports. It covers logical access controls, encryption, monitoring, and incident response.

Availability

If your platform offers email sending, ad automation, or real-time campaign management, customers depend on uptime. Including Availability demonstrates you have SLAs, redundancy, and disaster recovery in place.

Confidentiality

Marketing platforms often process proprietary customer lists and competitive campaign data. Confidentiality controls show that data is protected from unauthorized disclosure.

Privacy

If your software processes personal data covered by GDPR, CCPA, or similar regulations, adding the Privacy criterion strengthens your compliance posture and aligns with data protection laws.

Recommendation: Most marketing SaaS companies should include Security, Availability, and Confidentiality at minimum.

Step-by-Step: How to Get SOC 2 Type II for Your Marketing Software

Step 1: Define Your Scope

Scope defines which systems, infrastructure, and teams will be included in the audit. For marketing software, this typically includes:

Your application servers and cloud infrastructure (AWS, GCP, Azure)
Data pipelines and integrations (CRM connectors, ad platforms, analytics tools)
Internal tools that access customer data
Key personnel in engineering, security, and operations

Keeping scope tight reduces cost and complexity without sacrificing credibility.

Step 2: Conduct a Readiness Assessment

A readiness assessment (also called a gap analysis) compares your current controls against SOC 2 requirements. This step reveals what you need to build, fix, or document before the formal audit begins.

Common gaps found in marketing software companies include:

No formal access control policy or user provisioning process
Missing encryption standards for data at rest and in transit
Inadequate logging and monitoring of system activity
No documented incident response plan
Vendor management program that doesn’t assess third-party risk

Step 3: Implement and Document Your Controls

This is the most time-intensive phase. You need to build the controls and document them in a way that auditors can verify. Key areas to address:

Access Management

Implement role-based access control (RBAC)
Enforce multi-factor authentication (MFA) across all systems
Document user provisioning and deprovisioning procedures

Encryption

Ensure TLS 1.2+ for data in transit
Encrypt databases and storage containing customer data
Document your key management practices

Monitoring and Logging

Set up centralized log management (e.g., Datadog, Splunk, CloudTrail)
Define alerts for suspicious activity
Establish log retention policies

Vulnerability Management

Run regular vulnerability scans and penetration tests
Document your patch management process
Track and remediate findings in a timely manner

Vendor Risk Management

Inventory all third-party integrations (especially ad platforms and CRMs)
Assess their security posture
Maintain signed data processing agreements (DPAs)

HR and Employee Security

Background checks for employees with data access
Security awareness training (documented and tracked)
Acceptable use policies

Step 4: Run Your Observation Period

Once controls are in place, the observation period begins. For SOC 2 Type II, this is typically 6 to 12 months. During this time, your auditor will look for evidence that controls operated consistently — not just that they exist.

Tips for a clean observation period:

Automate evidence collection using tools like Vanta, Drata, or Secureframe
Maintain consistent processes — auditors look for exceptions and anomalies
Log all access reviews, security training completions, and incident responses
Don’t make major infrastructure changes mid-period without documentation

Step 5: Choose a Qualified CPA Auditor

SOC 2 audits must be conducted by a licensed CPA firm. Look for auditors with experience in SaaS and cloud environments. Costs typically range from $15,000 to $50,000 depending on scope and auditor reputation.

Request proposals from at least three firms and ask specifically about their experience with marketing technology companies.

Step 6: Complete the Audit and Receive Your Report

The auditor will review evidence, conduct interviews, and test controls. The final SOC 2 Type II report includes:

Auditor’s opinion letter
Description of your system
Description of controls tested
Results of control testing (including any exceptions)

A report with no exceptions is the gold standard. Minor exceptions with strong management responses are common and don’t necessarily disqualify you.

How Long Does SOC 2 Type II Take for Marketing Software Companies?

Here’s a realistic timeline:

Phase	Duration
Readiness assessment	2–4 weeks
Control implementation	2–4 months
Observation period	6–12 months
Audit fieldwork	4–8 weeks
Total	9–18 months

Starting early — especially before enterprise sales conversations begin — gives you a significant competitive advantage.

Common Mistakes Marketing Software Companies Make

Underestimating documentation requirements — Controls must be documented in writing, not just practiced informally
Ignoring third-party integrations — Every API connection to a CRM, ad network, or analytics tool is a potential risk area
Skipping employee training documentation — Auditors want signed records, not verbal confirmations
Waiting too long to start — The observation period alone takes 6–12 months; starting after a customer asks for the report is too late

FAQ: SOC 2 Type II for Marketing Software

How much does SOC 2 Type II cost for a marketing SaaS company?

Total costs typically range from $30,000 to $100,000 when you factor in auditor fees, compliance tooling, personnel time, and remediation work. Using pre-built policy templates and compliance automation platforms can significantly reduce internal labor costs.

Can we use SOC 2 Type II to satisfy GDPR requirements?

Not directly. SOC 2 and GDPR are separate frameworks with different scopes. However, implementing SOC 2 controls — especially the Privacy criterion — creates a strong foundation for GDPR compliance and demonstrates data stewardship to European customers.

Do we need penetration testing for SOC 2 Type II?

Penetration testing is not explicitly required by SOC 2, but it is a strongly recommended control and many auditors will look for evidence of it under the vulnerability management criteria. Most marketing software companies should conduct annual pen tests.

What’s the difference between SOC 2 Type I and Type II?

SOC 2 Type I confirms that controls are designed appropriately at a single point in time. SOC 2 Type II confirms that those controls operated effectively over a defined period (6–12 months). Enterprise buyers almost always require Type II.

Can a small marketing software startup get SOC 2 Type II?

Yes. There’s no minimum company size requirement. Startups with 10–20 employees regularly achieve SOC 2 Type II. The key is having clear ownership of controls and consistent documentation — both of which are very achievable with the right templates and tools.

Start Your SOC 2 Journey Faster with Ready-to-Use Templates

The biggest time sink in any SOC 2 project isn’t the audit itself — it’s writing dozens of policies, procedures, and control documents from scratch. Our professionally drafted SOC 2 compliance template library gives your marketing software company a massive head start.

Our templates include:

Information Security Policy and all supporting sub-policies
Access Control and User Provisioning Procedures
Incident Response Plan tailored for SaaS environments
Vendor Risk Management Framework
Employee Security Awareness Training Acknowledgment Forms
Risk Assessment and Treatment Templates
And much more — everything auditors actually look for

These templates are written by compliance professionals, formatted for immediate use, and customizable to your specific environment. Hundreds of SaaS companies have used them to cut their SOC 2 preparation time by months.

👉 Browse our SOC 2 Template Library and get audit-ready faster — without starting from a blank page.