Solo founders face a tight squeeze when enterprise clients demand SOC2 Type 2 certification. The process will still require a month of paperwork and a dedicated auditor, but a small firm can trim the scope to focus on core security controls and leverage cloud provider certifications to keep costs under $20 k.

In practice, a single‑person shop can meet the minimum SOC2 requirements by documenting access controls, encryption, and incident response. Auditors that specialize in small‑business contexts are more forgiving on segregation of duties, while larger firms may insist on a multi‑person team.

Most early customers value transparency over a certificate. A public security page that lists controls, audit findings, and a clear risk‑report can satisfy insurers and downstream partners. If a client insists on a full SOC2 report, negotiate shared audit costs or use the client’s established auditor.

Ultimately, a solo dev can earn SOC2 proof, but the effort mirrors that of a six‑person startup. The key lies in early documentation, choosing the right auditor, and framing compliance as part of a broader security posture, not a standalone checkbox.