How much does SOC 2 cost for a startup?

Typically $20-40K all-in for Type I, including penetration test and audit. The enterprise deal it unblocks is usually $100K or more.

How long does SOC 2 take?

Type I takes 6-12 weeks. Type II requires a 6-12 month observation period. Most initial enterprise buyer requirements are satisfied by Type I.

What's the difference between SOC 2 Type I and Type II?

Type I is a point-in-time snapshot that proves your controls exist. Type II covers a period (usually 6-12 months) and proves your controls work over time. More sophisticated enterprise buyers require Type II.

Can I pass enterprise security review without SOC 2?

Sometimes, depending on the buyer. Some enterprise customers accept detailed security questionnaire responses and penetration test reports. Others require SOC 2 as a hard prerequisite.

Do I need a full-time security hire?

Probably not until $50M+ ARR or 200+ employees. Until then, fractional security leadership (virtual CISO) plus project-based work like penetration testing and compliance support covers most needs.

How do I respond to a security questionnaire?

Security questionnaires like SIG, CAIQ, and VSAQ follow common patterns. Building a reusable answer library and having someone experienced review responses significantly reduces turnaround time and improves pass rates.

Regional Utility Validates Security Controls and Accelerates Compliance Roadmap

A regional utility partnered with Adversis to validate network segmentation, assess infrastructure security, and satisfy NERC compliance requirements—emerging with a clear prioritization framework and resources secured for ongoing improvements.

Welcome to Strategis

100%

NERC compliance requirements satisfied, with validated controls and a strategic roadmap that helped the team secure additional resources for training and continued security investment.

Challenge

The utility's cybersecurity team had completed significant security upgrades and needed independent validation that their controls held up under real-world testing. With NERC guidance requiring regular penetration testing and member data protection at stake, they needed more than a checkbox assessment—they needed actionable insight into where their defenses stood and a clear path forward.

Solution

Adversis worked alongside the internal team to prioritize network segments for assessment and tailor coverage to their specific validation needs. Using advanced techniques drawn from Fortune 500 offensive security experience, the engagement went beyond standard kill-chain methodology to evaluate realistic attack scenarios against the utility's infrastructure. Regular updates and real-time collaboration allowed the team to remediate critical findings during the assessment—not weeks later.

Company

Regional Electrical Utility NERC CIP Penetration Test

Industry

Electrical Utility

Services

Network Penetration Testing, Security Advisory

A major regional utility had invested heavily in network security upgrades. Now they needed to know: did those investments hold up?

Their cybersecurity team faced two parallel requirements. NERC guidance called for regular penetration testing to demonstrate business resilience. And internally, leadership wanted independent validation that recent security improvements delivered the protection they expected for member information.

Adversis aligned quickly with the team's priorities, focusing assessment coverage on the network segments that mattered most. The engagement was structured for dual audiences—strategic findings for leadership and tactical guidance the technical team could act on immediately.

Drawing on experience assessing complex environments across Fortune 500 organizations, the Adversis team evaluated the network using advanced techniques that exceeded standard methodology. The assessment confirmed the robustness of the network team's segmentation and controls while surfacing hidden exposures that routine audits miss. Throughout the engagement, the utility's team received regular updates and collaborated in real time to address critical issues as they emerged.

The result: compliance requirements satisfied, controls validated, and a precise roadmap for continued improvement. The clear prioritization framework helped the team secure additional resources for training and ongoing security initiatives—turning a compliance exercise into a strategic investment.