SOC 2 Penetration Testing Services
Audit-ready evidence that proves your SOC 2 controls work.
Why SOC 2 Compliance Requires More Than an Audit
SOC 2 is the leading attestation framework for SaaS companies in North America. It proves your organization manages customer data securely 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 Financial 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
How SOC 2 Controls Map to Real Attack Testing
SOC 2 audits validate that your documented processes match your stated controls. Penetration testing validates that those controls hold up against real-world attack techniques and provides the technical evidence auditors and enterprise buyers require.
Mapping to Controls
CC4.1,CC4.2, CC6.1, CC6.2, CC6.3, CC6.6, CC6.7, CC6.8, CC7.1, CC7.2,CC7.3, CC9.1 & CC9.2, A1.1, A1.2, A1.3
- Risk assessment, logical and physical access controls
- System Operations, monitoring and availability criteria,
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
Preparing for your first pentest?
SOC2 In Numbers
$4.88M
global average breach cost
31%
of breaches involve stolen credentials
65%
say stakeholders increasingly require proof of compliance
SOC 2 Pentest Deliverables
Software Secured delivers penetration testing mapped to SOC 2 Controls, producing audit-ready, reproducible evidence that reduces auditor friction, integrates directly with your GRC platform, and accelerates enterprise sales.
Audit-Ready Reports
Quick Retesting Included
Client Portal
Secure Code Review Add-On
Vanta and Drata Integration
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
Ranked #1 Global Leader in Penetration testing
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.
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. CC4.1 specifically lists penetration testing as one of the most common forms of separate evaluation. Pentests provide the strongest, most credible proof that your SOC 2 controls actually work in practice.
What is the difference between SOC 2 Type 1 and Type 2 penetration testing requirements?
A SOC 2 Type 1 audit assesses the design of your controls at a single point in time. For Type 1, auditors typically expect an external network and web application pentest scoped to your production environment, covering the external perimeter, authentication, and access control. A SOC 2 Type 2 audit assesses whether controls operated effectively over an observation period (usually 6–12 months). For Type 2, auditors expect annual testing, and many firms require evidence of remediation in addition to the pentest report itself.
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.
What scope of penetration testing do SOC 2 auditors expect?
SOC 2 auditors generally expect penetration testing to cover all in-scope systems that store, process, or transmit customer data, including internet-facing applications, APIs, supporting cloud infrastructure, authentication systems, administrative interfaces, and any internal networks that could affect the security of the system boundary.
Scope depends on your environment, but most SaaS companies should plan for: (1) external network penetration testing covering your production infrastructure perimeter, and (2) web application and API penetration testing covering your core product. If you operate cloud infrastructure on AWS, Azure, or GCP, a secure cloud review is also recommended to satisfy CC6 controls. Larger environments or those with internal networks may require internal network testing as well.
