What SOC2 consultants actually do?

What SOC2 consultants actually do?

SOC 2 consultants help organizations structure their security practices and prepare for the independent audit required to obtain a SOC 2 report. They translate complex criteria into practical steps, design and implement controls, and guide teams through every stage of the preparation process. Their work spans multiple domains: defining the audit scope, assessing readiness, developing documentation and evidence, and supporting discussions with the external auditor. As a result, companies gain confidence that their systems are properly documented, aligned with SOC 2 requirements, and functioning as intended.

Why organizations rely on SOC 2 consultants?

SOC 2 is an attestation, not a certification. Instead of issuing a pass or fail decision, the auditor provides an opinion on how controls are designed and how effectively they operate. For SaaS providers and other service organizations, a SOC 2 report has become a standard requirement in vendor assessments. However, interpreting the criteria and understanding what the auditor expects can be challenging without specialized expertise. A consultant helps navigate these complexities and significantly increases the likelihood of receiving a clean, unqualified opinion on the first attempt.

How consultants define the audit scope?

Preparing for SOC 2 always starts with defining the system to be audited. Consultants review which services form part of the system, how customer data flows through the environment, and which components and environments must be included. They also examine architectural dependencies and identify third-party providers whose responsibilities affect security. This includes subservice organizations, whose own SOC 2 reports or certifications may be relied on to meet certain criteria.

By clarifying the scope early, consultants help organizations avoid auditing unnecessary components while ensuring that critical parts of the environment are not accidentally overlooked.

Readiness assessment and gap identification

Once the scope is set, the consultant conducts a readiness assessment. This involves reviewing existing policies, procedures, configuration baselines, and operational practices. The goal is to determine whether key security mechanisms are implemented, documented, and functioning in line with requirements. At this stage, consultants typically uncover issues such as incomplete policies, informal workflows, insufficient logging, inconsistent access reviews, or gaps in incident response.

The findings help the organization understand what needs to be corrected and prioritizes the work required to pass the audit without major reservations. At the same time, the assessment provides a clear picture of the organization’s current maturity level.

Building the roadmap and designing controls

Based on the assessment, the consultant develops a roadmap that outlines specific actions, priorities, deadlines, and responsibilities. They distinguish between quick improvements and longer initiatives that require cross-team coordination, architectural changes, or new tooling.

A key part of the roadmap is designing controls. Consultants ensure controls are practical, clearly defined, and verifiable. They determine how access reviews will be conducted, what logging and monitoring should look like, how alerts will be handled, and how incident response will be structured. The objective is not merely to describe controls but to ensure they operate effectively and generate reliable evidence.

Developing documentation and preparing evidence

SOC 2 requires a consistent and complete set of documents that demonstrate how the organization manages security. Consultants create or refine policies and procedures based on industry standards and the organization’s actual practices. These documents typically cover information security, access management, incident response, backups, disaster recovery, and vendor management.

In parallel, consultants organize the evidence needed for the audit: logs, review records, change tickets, system exports, and test results. They ensure that evidence is complete, up-to-date, and meets auditor expectations. This step is crucial—insufficient evidence is one of the most common causes of audit delays.

Conducting a mock audit and preparing for the real audit

After remediation work is completed, the consultant performs a mock audit. This internal simulation mirrors the external audit process and validates that controls are operating correctly and that documentation matches real practices. It is an effective way to identify and correct issues before they reach the external auditor.

Following the mock audit, the consultant supports the organization during discussions with the auditor. They coordinate responses, provide technical explanations, help organize evidence, and ensure clear and consistent communication between the auditor and internal teams.

Maintaining compliance after the audit

SOC 2 is an ongoing commitment. Because audits occur annually and system changes can affect controls, organizations increasingly rely on consultants for continuous support. This may include recurring reviews, documentation updates, evidence preparation, and verification that controls remain effective.

Ongoing support helps organizations avoid restarting preparation each year and significantly streamlines subsequent audits. It also improves operational stability and reduces the risk of issues that could affect the auditor’s opinion.

Market trends and the growing role of SOC 2 consultants

Demand for SOC 2 consultants continues to rise. Clients expect service providers to demonstrate strong and consistent security practices, and in many industries a SOC 2 report is now required before contracts are signed. As a result, professional support has become critical for organizations that want to remain competitive.

In addition, large enterprises increasingly require SOC 2 compliance from their suppliers, who in turn expect it from their own subcontractors. This cascading effect creates a supply chain of dependencies, making the consultant’s role even more important.

Summary

A SOC 2 consultant guides the organization through every stage of preparation. They define system boundaries, assess gaps, design and operationalize controls, create documentation, prepare evidence, conduct mock audits, and support the external audit. Their work does not end with the final report, as SOC 2 requires ongoing compliance and periodic reassessments.

By relying on a consultant, organizations streamline the process, avoid costly missteps, and gain a tangible competitive advantage. Ultimately, a skilled consultant helps companies meet customer expectations, demonstrate trustworthiness, and maintain a strong security posture.