Compliance Made Easy: Minimize Effort, Gain Trust, Win Business

When SOC 2 is required before SOC 2 is possible

Your deal is nearly closed. Then the buyer asks for SOC 2. But certification takes months, and the buyer needs assurance now. An engagement letter bridges the gap.

Request an Engagement Letter

The Problem

The moment everything changes

Weeks of progress

You've spent weeks building trust with a buyer. Security reviews are done. Legal is aligned. Budget is approved. Everything is moving forward.

The question arrives

Then, in the final stages, procurement asks:

Do you have SOC 2?

You try to explain

You explain it's in progress. You share your roadmap, your controls, your commitment. You're transparent about your security posture and timeline.

Deal blocked

But the buyer's compliance team says the same thing every time:

"We need SOC 2 before we can sign."

This isn't about security

The problem is not a lack of security. It is a timing mismatch. SOC 2 takes 3+ months. Your deal cannot wait that long. You need a way to demonstrate commitment now while certification is in progress.

What buyers need

What buyers actually need

Formal commitment

You've formally committed to achieving SOC 2 certification with documentation to prove it

Third-party credibility

A credible third party is guiding the process and providing oversight

Defined scope & timeline

There's a clear scope and timeline showing when certification will be complete

Proof of progress

You're not just promising, you're already working on it with measurable progress

An engagement letter provides exactly that: proof of formal commitment, credible oversight, and a clear path forward.

The Solution

What is a SOC 2 engagement letter?

A SOC 2 engagement letter is a formal agreement between your company and J-SAS that outlines:

The scope of your SOC 2 readiness work

Which Trust Service Criteria will be addressed

Your timeline to certification

When audits will occur and when reports will be delivered

The role of the compliance firm

Guidance, oversight, and eventual audit responsibilities

Important

An engagement letter is not a substitute for SOC 2 certification. It's a formal commitment to pursue it, backed by professional oversight. It shows buyers you're serious, accountable, and on a defined path to compliance.

Why this works

Four key reasons engagement letters reduce friction and keep deals moving

It demonstrates formal commitment

It provides third-party credibility

The engagement letter comes from an experienced compliance firm, not just your sales team.

It reduces buyer risk

Buyers get a clear timeline and scope, reducing uncertainty about when you'll be compliant.

It keeps deals moving

Instead of waiting 3+ months for certification, deals can close with proof of progress.

What you Get

Everything you need to demonstrate commitment and move forward

A formal engagement letter outlining the scope, timeline, and deliverables for your SOC 2 readiness and certification process

Defined scope specifying which Trust Service Criteria (Security, Availability, Confidentiality, etc.) will be addressed

Clear timeline for readiness work, audits, and report delivery

Buyer-facing guidance on how to communicate SOC 2 progress to procurement and compliance teams

A path to certification with experienced practitioners guiding you through readiness, audit, and final report delivery

Is this right for you?

Clear criteria to help you decide

This is a good fit if:

You have a deal at risk due to a late-stage SOC 2 request
You're committed to achieving SOC 2 certification
You have basic security controls in place or can implement them quickly
You need a credible, third-party letter to show buyers you're on track

This is not a fit if:

You're looking for a shortcut or a way to avoid doing the work
You have no existing security controls or documentation
You need a completed SOC 2 report immediately (this takes time)
You're not planning to follow through on achieving certification

Contact Us

Contact us for a no cost, no commitment assessment of your technology or security needs. We will be happy to discuss your needs in more details.

Book a Demo

Ready to simplify your compliance journey and partner it with your cybersecurity defence strategy? Book a demo to explore the possibilities.

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