SOC 2 Audit Process for Australian Companies: Step-by-Step-Guide

Australian organisations aiming to sell into enterprise markets are increasingly required to demonstrate structured and verifiable security governance. SOC 2 has become the assurance mechanism buyers rely on to understand how service providers protect data. Although many teams approach SOC 2 with a focus on cost or timelines, the real determinant of success is having a clear understanding of the SOC 2 Audit process itself.

A clear, end-to-end process reduces uncertainty, avoids delays and helps leaders allocate resources efficiently. This article provides a practical, step-by-step walkthrough of what Australian companies can expect during a SOC 2 programme. It explains the major stages, the internal effort required and how SOC 2 aligns with local expectations such as the ACSC Essential Eight and OAIC privacy obligations.

Understanding what SOC 2 involves

SOC 2 is based on the AICPA Trust Services Criteria, which evaluate controls for security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality and privacy. Although developed overseas, the framework aligns closely with many Australian requirements related to security operations, governance and privacy expectations.

SOC 2 is not a simple checklist. It is a lifecycle that moves through discovery, design, remediation, evidence collection and auditor testing. Understanding these stages is essential for accurate planning and for preventing the last-minute rush that many first-time audit teams experience.

Step 1: Define scope and system boundaries

Every SOC 2 programme starts with scoping. This determines which services, systems, environments and data flows will be included in the assessment. Effective scoping ensures you only bring in what customers care about and avoids unnecessary audit complexity.

For Australian organisations, this is also the point where SOC 2 can be aligned with local frameworks. Mapping scope against Essential Eight maturity, ISM guidance and OAIC privacy expectations early helps eliminate duplicated work later.

Step 2: Conduct a SOC 2 readiness assessment

A readiness assessment provides a structured understanding of how your current controls measure against SOC 2 requirements. It reviews identity governance, change management, monitoring, logging, incident response, and the maturity of your documentation.

This is often the most clarifying stage of the journey. Organisations with modern cloud-native architectures often discover they already meet many controls and only need targeted uplift. Others with informal practices may require more substantial remediation.

CyberPulse’s GRC and Advisory Services help teams define scope, assess maturity and build a realistic roadmap before interacting with auditors.

Step 3: Remediate and uplift controls

Once gaps are identified, the next stage is remediation. This is where you uplift technical and procedural controls, refine documentation and embed consistent practices across the environment.

Remediation may include improving access governance, strengthening monitoring, formalising backup processes, updating risk documentation or restructuring change management workflows. Larger organisations may need to coordinate these changes across multiple teams. Smaller SaaS companies may complete this work faster but still require disciplined execution.

Ensuring this uplift aligns with Essential Eight and APP 11 strengthens outcomes across the organisation, not only for SOC 2.

Step 4: Collect and organise evidence

Evidence collection brings SOC 2 from theory into practice. Type 1 reports require evidence that controls are designed effectively at a point in time, while Type 2 requires proof that controls operated consistently during the audit period.

Evidence may include logs, access reviews, change tickets, incident records, vulnerability reports, backup confirmations and monitoring alerts. Organising this material early prevents last-minute pressure and improves audit efficiency. Some organisations adopt automation or managed services to reduce manual evidence handling.

CyberPulse helps clients design repeatable evidence processes through Managed Compliance Services.

Step 5: Select and engage an external auditor

SOC 2 reports can only be issued by licensed audit firms. Selecting an auditor with experience in cloud-native environments and Australian operational contexts makes the process smoother and reduces the risk of misaligned expectations.

The auditor will review your scope, confirm your readiness and outline the evidence they require. Engaging an auditor too early, before remediation is stabilised, often results in rework. Engaging them after readiness and core uplift is a more efficient and cost-effective approach.

Step 6: Undergo SOC 2 audit fieldwork

Fieldwork is where the auditor assesses your evidence and validates your controls. Type 1 fieldwork is relatively short, focusing on whether controls are suitably designed. Type 2 fieldwork is more involved because it tests operating effectiveness across the audit window.

Auditors will examine how consistently your controls operate, whether evidence supports your stated practices and how decisions are documented. Fieldwork is typically remote, although hybrid or on-site options exist depending on scope.

Step 7: Resolve findings and address clarifications

After reviewing evidence, auditors often request clarification or additional supporting documentation. This is normal and not an indication that the audit is failing. Prompt responses and clear explanations help close issues efficiently.

If a significant gap is discovered during a Type 2 audit, remediation may be required before the report can be finalised. Organisations that invest well in the readiness stage rarely encounter substantial issues at this point.

Step 8: Receive your SOC 2 report

Once fieldwork is complete and all findings are resolved, the auditor issues your SOC 2 report. The report summarises your controls, describes your environment, and provides the auditor’s opinion.

This document is a powerful asset for enterprise procurement. It reduces friction during security reviews and can be shared under NDA with customers and partners. Many organisations use the report to refine their security roadmap for the following year.

Step 9: Transition into ongoing compliance

SOC 2 is not a one-off event. It is a recurring cycle that requires continuous operation of controls, regular access reviews, consistent monitoring and updated documentation. Most organisations blend SOC 2 into their broader governance programmes to ensure long-term sustainability.

CyberPulse supports this ongoing compliance through Managed Compliance Services, Managed Detection and Response, Backup and Recovery, Incident Response and Vendor Risk Management, ensuring organisations remain audit-ready year-round.

How CyberPulse supports the SOC 2 lifecycle

CyberPulse assists Australian companies through each phase of the SOC 2 lifecycle. From scoping and readiness to remediation, evidence preparation and audit coordination, our approach helps organisations reduce complexity and avoid delays. We also integrate SOC 2 with other frameworks such as ISO 27001, Essential 8 and OAIC requirements so that each investment delivers broader value.

For teams without dedicated internal security leadership, our Virtual CISO Services provide structure, oversight and year-round governance to keep compliance efforts on track.

Useful links

GRC and Advisory Services: https://www.cyberpulse.com.au/compliance-audit-advisory-services-australia/

SOC 2 Audit Services: https://www.cyberpulse.com.au/soc-2-audit-services-australia/

Managed Compliance Services: https://www.cyberpulse.com.au/managed-compliance-services-australia/

Virtual CISO Services: https://www.cyberpulse.com.au/virtual-ciso-vciso-services-australia/

Essential 8 Services: https://www.cyberpulse.com.au/essential-8-compliance-australia/

ISO 27001 Audit Services: https://www.cyberpulse.com.au/iso-27001-compliance-audit-services-australia/

Managed Detection and Response: https://www.cyberpulse.com.au/managed-soc-mdr/

Incident Response Services: https://www.cyberpulse.com.au/incident-response-services/

Imperva SOC 2 Overview: https://www.imperva.com/learn/data-security/soc-2-compliance/