SOC 2 · Defense Contractors
SOC 2 for Defense Contractors
CMMC is the DoD gate — but commercial defense buyers still expect SOC 2 alongside it.
Why this matters
Prime contractors increasingly ask for both CMMC and SOC 2.
SOC 2 controls overlap ~60% with NIST 800-171 — one program, two artifacts.
Selling commercial cyber services to defense primes? SOC 2 unblocks the buy.
Typical timeline
3–6 months if running in parallel with CMMC prep.
Typical cost
$25k–$55k marginal cost on top of CMMC work.
What bites hardest in Defense Contractors
Frequently asked
Do defense contractors actually need SOC 2 if they have CMMC?
CMMC covers the DoD side. SOC 2 covers commercial buyers and primes running dual-use offerings. Most integrators pursue both.
Can I reuse CMMC evidence for SOC 2?
Yes — 800-171 controls map cleanly to SOC 2 Common Criteria. The overlap is roughly 60% of evidence.
Do I need Type 1 or Type 2?
Type 1 proves your controls are designed correctly at a point in time. Type 2 proves they operated effectively over a window — usually 6–12 months. Most enterprise buyers require Type 2, but Type 1 unblocks early deals.
How long does SOC 2 take for a small team?
A prepared 20-person SaaS company can be Type 1 ready in 8–12 weeks. Type 2 adds the observation window.
Do I need CMMC Level 2 if I don't touch classified info?
If your contracts reference DFARS 252.204-7012 or you handle CUI (Controlled Unclassified Information), yes — even without classified access.
How fast can I get a usable SPRS score?
A prepared 20-person shop can produce a self-assessment SPRS in 4–6 weeks using Scarlet Risk. Third-party assessment adds 8–12 weeks.
Ready to shortcut SOC 2 for Defense Contractors?
Scarlet Comply and our on-demand reports collapse months of prep into hours.
Framework
SOC 2 (Service Organization Control 2)
The trust report enterprise buyers ask for before they sign.
Industry
Defense Contractors
CMMC 2.0 is here. Miss the gate, lose the contract.