SOC 2 Isn’t Enough Without Pentesting That Matches Enterprise Scrutiny
Close deals faster by backing SOC 2 controls with hacker-level penetration testing results
Why SOC 2 Matters to Startups and SMBs
SOC 2 is the leading attestation framework proving a SaaS vendor securely manages customer data across security, availability, confidentiality, processing integrity and privacy.
Enterprise Requirement
Fortune 500s demand SOC 2 before SaaS onboarding
- Regulated industries require verified security assurances
- SOC 2 compliance speeds vendor onboarding decisions
High Stakes
Average U.S. breach costs $9.48 M per IBM
- Compliance gaps raise financial, reputational losses
- Breaches disrupt operations and reduce trust
Customer Trust
SOC 2 strongly influences SaaS selection and renewals
- 73% of buyers prioritize SOC 2 compliance
- Proof of trustworthiness drives lasting relationships
Audit Gaps
SOC 2 audits validate policies, not real exploitability
- Pentesting confirms systems can be attacked
- Evidence bridges assurance gaps audits miss
Where Penetration Testing Fits with SOC 2
SOC 2 audits confirm processes; pentesting validates if those processes actually protect systems from real adversaries, producing proof auditors and enterprise buyers trust.
Mapping to Controls
Pentesting maps directly to SOC 2 control requirements
- CC4.1 – Monitoring (separate evaluations)
- CC6 and CC7 – Access, operations, and vulnerability mgmt
Audit Proof vs. Real Security
Audits confirm processes; pentests validate actual security effectiveness
- Audits ensure paperwork matches stated controls
- Pentests prove whether attackers can exploit systems
Revenue Risk
Missed pentests create audit gaps that jeopardize enterprise deals
- Failed audits stall procurement pipelines
- Delayed renewals threaten millions in ARR
Breaches & Liability
Pentests uncover flaws before they lead to breaches
- Authorization and integration issues detected early
- Prevent fines, lawsuits, and brand damage
Investor & Board Confidence
Pentest results strengthen SOC 2 evidence packages significantly
- Demonstrates security is operationalized
- Reduces auditor and investor friction
SOC2 In Numbers
$4.88M
global average breach cost
31%
of breaches involve stolen credentials
65%
say stakeholders increasingly require proof of compliance
How Software Secured Helps
Software Secured delivers penetration testing mapped to SOC 2 controls, producing audit-ready, reproducible evidence that reduces audit friction and accelerates enterprise sales
Audit-Ready Deliverables
Quick Retesting
Portal Differentiator
Secure Code Review Add-On
Integration Advantage
Real Results for Startups & SMBs
Relied on by startups and SMBs to validate security posture and earn trust from enterprise customers
”My favourite part of working with Software Secured comes from the collaboration on vulnerability management after the report is delivered."
high growth startups, scaleups and SMB trust Software Secured
"Their team delivered on time and was quick to respond to any questions."
Trusted by high-growth SaaS firms doing big business
Recommended Services
Leverage these services together to achieve compliance and gain the trust of your enterprise customers.
External Network Pentesting
External network tests find exposed perimeter, open ports, exploitable hosts
Web App Pentesting
Web pentests find business logic flaws, auth bypasses, and data leaks
Internal Network Pentesting
Internal network tests find exposed services, lateral paths, and privilege escalation
Our Penetration Testing Process
We make it easy to start. Our team handles the heavy lifting so you can focus on keeping your attack surface protected without the headaches.
Consultation Meeting. Our consultants span five time zones. Meetings booked within 3 days.
Customized Quote. Pricing tailored to product scope and compliance needs. Quotes delivered within 48 hours.
Pentest Scheduling. Testing aligned to your release calendar. Scheduling within 3-6 weeks - sometimes sooner.
Onboarding. Know what to expect thanks to Portal and automated Slack notifications. Onboarding within 24-48 hours.
Pentest Execution. Seamless kickoff, and minimal disruption during active testing. Report within 48-72 hours of pentest completion.
Support & Retesting. Request retesting within 6 months of report delivery. Auto-scheduled within 2 weeks.
“I was impressed at how thorough the test plan was, and how "deep" some of the issues were that their testing uncovered. Also, the onboarding process was simple and painless: they were able to articulate exactly what they needed from us, and showed a clear understanding of the product they would be testing during our initial demo”
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is penetration testing required for SOC 2?
Penetration testing isn’t explicitly mandated, but auditors and enterprise buyers expect evidence of vulnerability management. Pentests provide the strongest, most credible proof that your SOC 2 controls actually work in practice.
Which SOC 2 controls map to penetration testing?
Penetration testing directly supports CC7.1 (monitoring) and CC7.2 (vulnerability management). It also reinforces other criteria around risk assessment and incident response by showing how vulnerabilities are discovered, prioritized, and remediated effectively. CC4.1 points of focus specifically outline that a penetration test is one of the most common ways to demonstrate different types of ongoing and separate evaluations were considered.
Do SaaS startups need penetration testing for SOC 2?
Yes. Investors and enterprise customers increasingly expect pentest evidence as part of SOC 2 reports. Without it, startups risk delayed audits, longer sales cycles, or outright rejection by compliance-driven buyers.
How often should penetration testing be performed for SOC 2?
SOC 2 audits typically require pentesting at least annually, though best practice is after any significant system, application, or infrastructure change. Frequent testing ensures evidence remains current and audit-ready.
How does pentesting reduce audit friction?
Pentesting produces reproducible, technical evidence that auditors trust. Instead of debating policies, you show real-world exploitability and remediation, accelerating the audit process while demonstrating security maturity to clients and regulators.
