Compliance is not optional. Whether you’re selling to enterprises or planning an IPO, certifications like SOC 2 and ISO 27001 signal trust and maturity.

But here’s the reality: these audits are tough. If your team is already stretched thin, unprepared compliance efforts can create delays, rework, and audit fatigue. That’s where tech team hiring for SOC 2 readiness makes all the difference.

This article covers the most common blockers companies face during compliance prep, the business risks of getting it wrong, and how bringing in the right experts helps you get certified faster and with less friction.

Why SOC 2 and ISO Prep Often Goes Off Track

These certifications aren’t just paperwork. They demand deep operational discipline across your entire org—from engineering and IT to HR and leadership.

Common Challenges:

  • Ambiguous ownership of compliance tasks leads to missed deadlines.
  • Engineering teams distracted by audit prep slow product delivery.
  • Lack of documentation causes back-and-forth with auditors.
  • Reactive incident processes undermine your security narrative.
  • One-size-fits-all tooling fails to meet audit-specific needs.

Business Implications:

  • Deals stalled due to missing compliance documentation.
  • Costly delays and extensions from failed readiness reviews.
  • Reduced credibility in competitive RFPs.
  • Burned-out engineers juggling audits and roadmap delivery.

How to Address This:

  • Centralize audit ownership under compliance or security leadership.
  • Map your current controls against SOC 2 or ISO requirements.
  • Automate where possible, but augment with human expertise.

Once the groundwork is in place, bring in specialists to operationalize and scale your certification efforts.

Audit Bottlenecks and the 5 Experts Who Unblock Them

To earn your certification, you don’t just need tools—you need people with compliance mindset, technical depth, and report-readiness skills.

Audit Blocker Impact Who to Hire
Missing or outdated documentation Audit delays and additional evidence requests Compliance analysts to write and maintain security documentation
Undefined incident response process Audit failure or major control gaps Security engineers experienced in incident response plans
Unmonitored third-party vendors Weak vendor risk assessments GRC specialists to assess and manage vendor risks
No formal access review procedures Non-compliance with least-privilege standards IT auditors to manage access control evidence and policy
Engineering teams pulled off roadmap Slower releases and feature gaps Contract compliance engineers to handle evidence gathering

Key takeaway: SOC 2 and ISO audits require both policy and practice. Specialized hires ensure your evidence aligns with real-world controls.

How to Build a Compliance-Ready Tech Team

The secret to faster certifications? Dedicated resources who know what to expect, and how to fix gaps before the auditor sees them.

Here are 5 key roles (or functions, as sometimes individuals can wear multiple hats, especially in smaller organizations) that are critical for SOC 2 and ISO 27001 certification success:

1. Hire GRC Analysts/Compliance Manager to Own the Audit Timeline

This role is central to owning and driving the entire certification process. They are responsible for:

  • Developing and managing the audit timeline, including internal checkpoints.
  • Creating and maintaining the scope of the audit and the Statement of Applicability (ISO 27001).
  • Coordinating with control owners across all relevant departments.
  • Facilitating risk assessments and treatment plans.
  • Ensuring controls are designed and operating effectively.
  • Compiling and organizing evidence in an auditor-friendly format.
  • Acting as the primary point of contact for auditors.

2. Bring in Security Engineers/ Security Operations Specialists for Policy Implementation

This technical role is vital for implementing and maintaining the security controls required by both standards. Their responsibilities include:

  • Implementing and configuring technical controls related to encryption, Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), logging, patching, and access control.
  • Building automation to enforce security policies and reduce manual effort.
  • Validating the effectiveness of monitoring and alerting systems across the IT infrastructure.
  • Assisting with vulnerability management and incident response processes.
  • Ensuring the secure configuration and operation of systems and applications.

3. Recruit Documentation Specialists / Technical Writers (with Compliance Focus) for Clarity and Coverage

Clear and comprehensive documentation is paramount for demonstrating compliance. This role focuses on creating and managing the necessary documentation:

  • Developing internal Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that align with specific audit controls.
  • Managing knowledge bases, audit trails, and record-keeping requirements.
  • Reviewing and updating employee handbooks, onboarding documentation, and vendor agreements for security and compliance considerations.
  • Ensuring documentation is accurate, up-to-date, and readily accessible.

4 Internal Auditor (or someone with Internal Audit Responsibilities):

While an external auditor provides the official certification, having an internal resource (even if it’s a part-time responsibility for someone) to perform internal audits and continuous monitoring is crucial. This role helps:

  • Regularly assess the design and operating effectiveness of controls.
  • Identify gaps and areas for improvement before the external audit.
  • Track the remediation of identified weaknesses.
  • Foster a culture of continuous improvement regarding security and compliance.

5 Executive Sponsor / Security Champion (Leadership Role):

While not always a dedicated “hire,” having a strong executive sponsor who champions the certification effort and ensures adequate resources are allocated is critical for success. This leader will:

  • Communicate the importance of SOC 2 and ISO 27001 across the organization.
  • Drive accountability among department heads for implementing and maintaining controls.
  • Remove roadblocks and provide the necessary authority for the compliance team.
  • Reinforce a security-aware culture from the top down.

Why  Use Talent-as-a-Service for Rapid Ramp-Up

  • Fill short-term audit prep gaps
  • Scale your team without long procurement delays
  • Access experts with SOC 2 and ISO experience

While Talent-as-a-Service can be a valuable strategy for filling gaps and accelerating the process, the first four roles represent key functions that need to be addressed, whether by dedicated hires or by assigning responsibilities to existing staff. The executive sponsor is a crucial leadership commitment. Focusing on these five areas will significantly increase your chances of successful SOC 2 and ISO 27001 certification.

When to Hire for SOC 2 or ISO Certification Prep

  • You’re planning a SOC 2 Type I/II audit within 12 months
  • You’re targeting enterprise clients who require certifications
  • Your existing team lacks compliance expertise or bandwidth
  • You’ve missed a prior audit deadline or received a qualified opinion

If any of the above sound familiar, it’s time for tech team hiring for SOC 2 readiness to get audit-ready and unlock new business.

Ubiminds Helps You Build Cert-Ready Tech Teams

Ubiminds sources compliance and security professionals who:

  • Have firsthand SOC 2 / ISO 27001 audit prep experience
  • Work seamlessly with engineering, legal, and leadership
  • Help you build policies that pass the auditor’s test

📞 Book a discovery call to scale your compliance readiness and stay ahead of your next audit.

FAQs: Tech Team Hiring for SOC 2 Readiness

Many try, but it slows product delivery and leads to patchy results. Dedicated compliance hires reduce risk and accelerate prep.

Prep timelines vary, but hiring experienced audit-prep pros can reduce the timeline from 6–12 months to 3–6 months.

Yes—we connect you with security, GRC, and documentation talent who’ve been through audits before and can guide you end-to-end.