Don’t Rewrite Your SOC 2 Controls — Get an Emergency Pentest and Finish Strong

ByAsteros

So you’re halfway through your SOC 2 audit, and someone just asked,

“Wait, where’s the penetration test report?”

Panic sets in. Maybe you thought vulnerability scans were enough. Maybe your preferred vendor is booked solid. Maybe you didn’t even know this was a thing until your auditor flagged it.

Whatever the reason, here’s the temptation:
Just go back and rewrite the control set. Replace “penetration test” with “vulnerability management” and hope the auditor doesn’t push back.

But before you scramble to change your narrative and risk muddying your audit trail — you should know this:

There are pentesters who can help. Quickly. Without screwing you over.

Why You Don’t Want to Rewrite the Controls

Yes, SOC 2 is flexible. And yes, auditors have seen teams quietly edit their control set mid-audit to remove a penetration test they didn’t complete. But here’s the thing: It doesn’t look good.

To an auditor, it signals disorganization. It raises the question: If they forgot this, what else did they miss?

Even if the control change passes, it chips away at your credibility. And you lose something valuable in the process — report reuse.

Because here’s what happens next:
A customer asks for your SOC 2 report and your pentest report.
And now you’ve got to explain why there isn’t one — or scramble to do one post-audit anyway, without the benefit of having baked it into your compliance cycle.

Doing the test now means:

  • Fewer awkward conversations later
  • More trust in your program
  • And one less thing to clean up next year

So don’t cut the corner. Just find someone who can help you finish strong.

The Truth: Big Firms Are Slow. Some Small Ones Too.

If you Google “penetration test for SOC 2,” most of what you’ll find are sales pages from companies that want you to fill out a form, book a demo, sign up for a 30-minute call just to get a quote, and then maybe — maybe — they’ll have time for you next month.

Some smaller firms are no better. I once worked with a team that was proud of being booked out eight months in advance. Great for them. Not so great for you if your audit ends in three weeks.

But the good news? There are independent, agile testing firms (hi 👋) who can take on projects quickly, especially when you say the magic word: emergency.

What to Look for in a Last-Minute Pentest Partner

Here’s what a good emergency-ready firm should offer:

Fast Contracts: When you spell out your situation, you should be able to get a quote and a service agreement the same or next day. If someone says, “Let’s hop on a discovery call next week,” move on.

Quick Start: They should be able to schedule testing within a few days — not weeks.

Real Testing, Not a Rush Job: Speed is great, but if the test is sloppy or the report is vague, your auditor might push back. Ask how they maintain quality on tight timelines.

Report Turnaround: The full timeline — from kickoff to report in hand — should be about two weeks.

Transparent Pricing: Some vendors see “urgent SOC 2” and crank the price up. Don’t let them. Look for firms with flat-rate pricing, or at least a clear quote up front — not a mystery number tied to how desperate you sound.

What to Ask Before You Sign

You don’t need to be a security expert to vet a pentester. Here are some quick, useful questions:

  • When can you start?
  • How long will the test itself take?
  • When will I get the final report?
  • Is the report formatted for SOC 2 (narrative summary, clear findings, evidence)?
  • Will it include remediation advice?
  • How much will it cost, total?

And one bonus question:

  • Have you worked with auditors before?
    (If they say yes, you’re less likely to get a report that triggers a bunch of follow-up questions.)

Bottom Line: Don’t Rewrite the Plan. Finish Strong.

You probably already told your auditor or customers that you do a pentest. Changing that now introduces more questions than it solves. It can make you look disorganized, or like you’re trying to backfill bad prep with weaker controls.

It’s easier — and smarter — to just get the test done.

So don’t panic. Don’t edit your controls. And don’t pay a ransom. You’ve got options.

Just find someone who knows how to work fast — and well — under pressure.

Need someone to take it off your plate?
Send a message and we’ll get you a quote and schedule ASAP.

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