How Companies Actually Navigate the SOC 2 Process Today

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Below is our recent interview with Ben Holcomb from soc2auditors.io:

Q: Could you provide our readers with a brief introduction to your business?

A: soc2auditors.io is a directory of SOC 2 service providers designed to help companies discover and evaluate the firms involved in the SOC 2 process.

Traditionally, companies searching for SOC 2 support focus only on auditors. In practice, most SOC 2 engagements involve a combination of advisory firms, compliance platforms, and licensed CPA firms.

The platform brings these providers together in a structured way, making it easier for companies to understand their options and identify the right partners for their specific needs.

Q: Can you tell us something more about your latest announcement?

A: Our latest update expands the platform beyond licensed CPA firms to include SOC 2 advisory firms and compliance providers.

This change reflects how SOC 2 actually works in practice. Most companies do not work with a single provider. They rely on multiple partners across readiness, compliance, and audit.

We have also seen strong early traction across search and AI-driven discovery, along with inbound interest from firms across the ecosystem. Expanding coverage allows us to better represent the full landscape and improve how companies discover providers.

Q: What are your plans for next 12 months?

A: Over the next 12 months, we are focused on three areas.

First, expanding coverage of SOC 2 providers globally, particularly mid-market and regional firms that are often harder to discover.

Second, improving the structure and depth of provider data to make evaluation and comparison more useful for companies going through SOC 2.

Third, continuing to build resource content that helps companies better understand the process, costs, and tradeoffs involved in SOC 2.

The long-term goal is to make soc2auditors.io a reliable starting point for any company navigating SOC 2.

Q: What is the best thing about your organization that people might not know about?

A: One thing people might not realize is how fragmented the SOC 2 ecosystem actually is.

Most companies assume it is a single-provider decision, but in reality it is a multi-step process involving different types of firms with distinct roles.

A core part of what we are doing is making that structure more visible. Once companies understand how the process is delivered, it becomes easier to make better decisions and avoid common pitfalls.

Q: What are the most common mistakes companies make when starting SOC 2?

A: One of the most common mistakes is treating SOC 2 as just an audit rather than a broader process.

Companies often engage an auditor too early without fully addressing readiness, or they underestimate the operational work required to meet the controls. In practice, the audit is only one part of the overall effort.

Another common issue is not clearly defining roles across providers. Without that clarity, timelines slip and costs increase.

We have found that confusion often comes from misunderstanding cost. The audit itself is only one component. When factoring in readiness, tooling, and internal effort, total costs often reach tens of thousands of dollars or more.

We broke this down in more detail here:
https://soc2auditors.io/resources/how-much-does-a-soc-2-audit-cost-in-2026

The companies that move fastest tend to plan the full process upfront, including readiness, tooling, and audit, rather than approaching it as a single step.

Q: How is the SOC 2 market evolving today?

A: We are seeing a shift toward more specialized providers across the SOC 2 lifecycle.

Advisory firms, compliance platforms, and auditors are becoming more distinct in their roles. Companies are becoming more aware of the differences.

At the same time, discovery is changing. More companies are using search and AI tools to evaluate providers. This increases the importance of structured and accessible information about the ecosystem.

Q: Who is soc2auditors.io most useful for?

A: The platform is most useful for companies that are either starting SOC 2 for the first time or reevaluating their current providers.

This includes startups preparing for their first audit as well as more mature companies looking to optimize cost, timelines, or provider fit.

It is also useful for teams that want a clearer understanding of how the different parts of the SOC 2 process fit together before engaging vendors.