Security compliance for global growth
starts with clarity.
Does the buyer need a SOC 2 report, an ISO 27001 certificate or questionnaire answers? AssureLane reads the requirement first, then delivers with a professional partner firm and independent auditors.
- SOC 2 · ISO/IEC 27001 · ISO/IEC 42001
- GDPR · CCPA · EU AI Act
- Bilingual delivery
“Vendor shall provide a current SOC 2 Type II report covering the services.”
- OutcomeSOC 2 Type 2 report from an independent CPA
- ScopeContracting entity + SaaS service + cloud infra
- Timing~3 months readiness + ≥3-month period
- InterimOffer Type 1 or a readiness letter if the buyer accepts
Requirements arrive from buyers and markets.
Start from the problem in front of you; each has a better first step.
A 200-question security questionnaire is due in two weeks
Confirm which product and entity it covers, answer what existing evidence supports, then decide whether SOC 2 or ISO 27001 is needed.
Learn moreSOC 2The contract requires a SOC 2 Type 2 report
Type 2 needs an observation period. Confirm the period, systems in scope and the buyer’s deadline, then plan backwards.
Learn moreGDPRAn EU customer wants a DPA and asks where data is stored
Map the data flow and whether you act as controller or processor, then review transfer mechanisms, SCCs and safeguards.
Learn moreISO/IEC 27001A buyer asks for an ISO 27001 certificate
Check which entity, sites and services the certificate must cover; the scope matters as much as the badge.
Learn moreServices with the boundaries stated up front.
SOC 2 readiness
We start from the buyer’s clause, fix the report type and system scope, make controls operate and evidence accrue on time, then hand over to an independent CPA. The CPA issues the report; we get you ready for it.
- Timeline
- Type 1 ~2–4 months; Type 2 adds a 3–12 month period
ISO/IEC 27001 readiness
A certificate is only as useful as its scope. We fix the scope first, build an ISMS that genuinely operates, then hand over to an accredited certification body.
- Timeline
- Commonly 4–9 months to certification
One point of contact, three distinct roles.
- 01
Scoping
Read the buyer clause, questionnaire or market rule and decide whether you need a report, a certificate, a legal programme or questionnaire answers.
First call - 02
Proposal
Confirm entities, products, systems and deadlines; the delivery partner issues the statement of work and quote, with advisory and audit fees itemised.
Depends on scope - 03
Delivery
Our delivery partner runs gap assessment, policies and controls, evidence and readiness review; AssureLane keeps the project on track.
2–9 months by framework - 04
Independent audit
An independent CPA or accredited body performs the audit and issues the report or certification decision; then annual upkeep.
Per audit plan
Report, certificate or legal duty — know which.
| Framework | Outcome | Issuer / regulator | Typical timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| SOC 2 | Attestation report | Independent CPA firm (AICPA standards) | Type 1: ~2–4 months; Type 2 adds a 3–12 month period |
| ISO/IEC 27001 | Certification | Accredited certification body (e.g. CNAS, UKAS, ANAB accredited) | Commonly 4–9 months to certification |
| GDPR | Legal obligation | EU/EEA data protection authorities | A baseline programme commonly takes 2–4 months |
Primary sources: AICPA: SOC 2 · ISO/IEC 27001:2022 · GDPR (EUR-Lex) · EU AI Act (EUR-Lex) · Cyber Resilience Act (EUR-Lex)
Being clear about boundaries is part of being professional.
We never promise a pass, never pass off advice as certification, and never claim a partner’s work as our own.
Scope before selling
Many teams are told to “get certified” when a questionnaire or a single report would do. We read the requirement first.
One contact, three roles
You work with AssureLane. A partner firm delivers, independent auditors audit, and the split is written into the proposal.
Transparent quotes
Advisory, audit or certification, tooling and travel are itemised so you compare like with like.
Built for China-based teams
Bilingual delivery that turns audit language into tasks your engineers can actually run.
Written for decision-makers.
Does an ISO/IEC 27001 certificate cover the service your buyer is purchasing?
How should exporters approach CE, FCC and product safety?
A security questionnaire arrives. What should your team do first?
SOC 2 or ISO/IEC 27001: which outcome does the buyer need?
Will AssureLane issue our SOC 2 report or ISO 27001 certificate?
No. Only an independent CPA firm can issue a SOC 2 report, and ISO/IEC 27001 certification is decided by an accredited certification body. AssureLane scopes and coordinates; our delivery partner does the preparation and coordinates the independent audit.
Can you guarantee we pass?
No credible firm should. We get the scope right, make controls actually operate, prepare complete evidence and run a readiness review before the audit to minimise exceptions.
SOC 2 or ISO 27001 first?
It depends on what buyers ask for. North American SaaS buyers tend to ask for SOC 2; European and APAC buyers often accept ISO/IEC 27001. The controls overlap heavily, so one programme can support both audits.
How long does it take?
SOC 2 Type 1 readiness typically takes 2–4 months; Type 2 adds a 3–12 month observation period. ISO/IEC 27001 commonly takes 4–9 months to certification. Fees depend on scope; we quote after the scoping call.
Your buyer is waiting. Start with a clear scope.
A 30-minute scoping call: confirm whether the buyer needs a report, certificate or questionnaire answers, what is in scope, and a realistic timeline.