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.

Financial Services Firm Achieves Regulatory Compliance and Maximizes Existing Security Investments

Piedmont Capital partnered with Adversis to protect client information, satisfy SEC and FTC cybersecurity requirements, and optimize their technology spend—gaining validated controls, clear policies, and hands-on remediation support without costly hardware upgrades.

Welcome to Strategis

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Regulatory compliance achieved with all identified issues remediated, existing technology fully utilized, and a response plan the team can execute with confidence.

Challenge

Piedmont Capital needed to protect client information and finances while meeting SEC and FTC cybersecurity requirements. As a smaller firm without dedicated security staff, they wanted assurance that their technology investments were delivering real protection—and clarity on whether they were spending wisely for business resilience.

Solution

Adversis conducted a security risk assessment examining business, technical, and procedural risks beyond baseline regulatory requirements. Technical audits covered workstations, network configurations, public-facing services, and potential credential exposures. Policy guidance was developed and translated into plain language so the team understood their responsibilities. When gaps were identified, Adversis didn't just hand over a report—the team represented Piedmont's interests with vendors, implemented secure configurations directly where needed, and optimized existing security technology to deliver better protection without expensive hardware upgrades.

Company

Piedmont Capital

Industry

Financial

Services

Security Advisory, Infrastructure Security Assessment, Policy Development, Remediation Support

Piedmont Capital faced a familiar challenge for financial services firms: protecting client information and meeting regulatory requirements without the resources of a large enterprise security team.

The firm needed to satisfy SEC and FTC cybersecurity rules, but compliance was only part of the picture. Leadership wanted to know their technology investments were actually delivering protection—and whether they were spending wisely for the resilience the business required.

Adversis began with a security risk assessment that went beyond regulatory checkboxes, examining business processes, technical infrastructure, and procedural risks. Technical audits covered workstations, network and WiFi configurations, publicly accessible services, and potential credential exposures from dark web breaches.

The assessment surfaced gaps—but more importantly, it revealed opportunities. Piedmont's existing security technology had capabilities the firm wasn't fully utilizing. Rather than recommending expensive hardware upgrades, Adversis helped the team get more value from what they already had.

Policy development followed, with guidance translated into language the team could actually use. Through focused conversations, staff understood their responsibilities and knew where to turn when risk questions arose.

When it came to remediation, Adversis stayed engaged. The team represented Piedmont's interests in vendor conversations, strategically implemented cybersecurity measures, and configured solutions directly where no provider was immediately available.

The outcome: regulatory compliance achieved, all identified issues remediated, and a team that operates with confidence in their security posture. Piedmont Capital now has validated controls, clear response plans, and substantially reduced liability exposure.

Partnering with Adversis was one of my firm's best business decisions.

The Adversis team did a fantastic job fortifying our cybersecurity defenses and guiding us through the complex world of cybersecurity with ease and clarity.

The team was highly skilled, professional, and simply fun to work with. The process they used is impeccable.

They took the time to learn about my business and equipped my team with the knowledge of how to keep our new security policies in practice.

My firm is small, but they really made my team feel like we got the service and quality of a Fortune 500 company.

Drew C.
^Partner