SOC 2 Type 1

A SOC 2 Type 1 report evaluates whether a service organization's controls are suitably designed to meet the selected Trust Services Criteria at a single point in time. The auditor reviews policies, configurations, and control descriptions to confirm they are properly designed but does not test whether the controls actually operated over time. Type 1 reports are faster and cheaper to obtain than Type 2 reports, typically completing in four to eight weeks once remediation is done. They serve as a useful milestone for early-stage companies that need to show prospects something tangible before the Type 2 observation period completes. However, many enterprise buyers consider Type 1 insufficient and require Type 2 before signing. SimpleAudit recommends most customers skip Type 1 entirely and proceed directly to the Type 2 observation window, using a CPA attestation letter for any prospect who needs proof during the gap. Type 1 still has a role for organizations facing immediate procurement pressure or for first-time audits in narrow scope.