soc2-prep

---
name: soc2-prep
description: When the user needs to prepare for SOC 2, build a compliance roadmap, assess security posture, quantify security risk, or says "we need SOC 2", "security audit", "compliance", "enterprise customer wants SOC 2", "CISO advice".
related: [privacy-policy, security-review]
reads: [startup-context]
---

# SOC 2 Prep

## When to Use

Activate when a founder is preparing for SOC 2 certification, has been asked by a customer or prospect for a SOC 2 report, needs to quantify security risk for board or budget discussions, wants to build a compliance roadmap sequenced for business value, or needs to assess overall security posture. Also activate when the user mentions "SOC 2," "compliance audit," "trust service criteria," "security budget," "we need SOC 2 to close this deal," or "CISO."

## Context Required

- **From startup-context:** product type, tech stack, cloud infrastructure provider, team size, current security practices, business model, customer segments (enterprise customers often require SOC 2).
- **From the user:** which Trust Service Criteria are in scope, current state of documentation and policies, existing security tooling (SSO, MDM, monitoring), whether targeting Type I or Type II, desired timeline, budget constraints, whether an auditor is selected, and top 3 prospects' compliance requirements.

## Workflow

1. **Quantify the business case** - Frame security investment in dollars using ALE (Annual Loss Expectancy = Single Loss Expectancy x Annual Rate of Occurrence). Translate to board language: "This risk has $X expected annual loss. Mitigation costs $Y." Security is a sales enabler, not a checkbox.
2. **Scope definition** - Determine which Trust Service Criteria are in scope. Security (Common Criteria) is always required. Availability, Processing Integrity, Confidentiality, and Privacy are optional. Scope based on customer requirements and product type.
3. **Current state assessment** - Inventory existing policies, controls, and tooling. Identify what exists, what partially exists, and what is completely absent. Check the red flags list below.
4. **Gap analysis** - Map current state against each applicable TSC criterion. Produce a gap matrix showing compliant, partially compliant, and non-compliant areas.
5. **Compliance roadmap** - Sequence for business value: SOC 2 Type I (3-6 months) then SOC 2 Type II (12 months from start) then ISO 27001 or HIPAA based on customer demand. Do not pursue certifications before basic hygiene is in place.… load the full skill through Skill Me