Security Program Checklist: Essential Controls for Startups
Whether you're preparing for SOC 2, responding to customer questionnaires, or just building a solid foundation, these are the security controls every growing company needs.
Identity & Access Management
- Single Sign-On (SSO) for all critical applications
- Multi-factor authentication (MFA) enforced for all users
- Password manager deployed and required
- Least privilege access model documented
- Access reviews conducted quarterly
- Offboarding process removes access within 24 hours
Endpoint Security
- Mobile Device Management (MDM) on all company devices
- Full disk encryption required
- Antivirus/EDR deployed and monitored
- Automatic OS and software updates enabled
- Screen lock after 5 minutes of inactivity
- Remote wipe capability for lost devices
Cloud Security
- Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM) or regular config reviews
- Root/admin accounts secured with hardware MFA
- Logging enabled and retained (90+ days)
- Production and development environments separated
- Infrastructure as Code for consistent configuration
- Secrets management (no credentials in code)
Data Protection
- Data classification policy (what's sensitive?)
- Encryption at rest for sensitive data
- Encryption in transit (TLS everywhere)
- Backup strategy with tested restores
- Data retention and deletion procedures
- Vendor data processing agreements
Policies & Training
- Information Security Policy
- Acceptable Use Policy
- Incident Response Plan
- Security awareness training (annual)
- Secure development training for engineers
- Phishing simulations (quarterly)
Vulnerability & SaaS Security
- Regular vulnerability scanning
- Dependency scanning in CI/CD
- Patch management process
- Penetration testing (annual)
- SaaS inventory and shadow IT discovery
Monitoring & Incident Response
- Centralized logging enabled and retained
- Security alerting for critical events
- Documented incident response plan
- Defined severity levels and escalation paths
- Post-incident review process
Score Your Security Program
Count the items you've checked off above. Here's what different scores typically mean:
You're building foundational controls. Focus on identity & access and endpoint security first.
Core security practices are in place. Next: formalize policies and add cloud security.
Most major controls implemented. Focus on monitoring, incident response, and SaaS security.
Comprehensive security program. Focus on continuous improvement and metrics.
Prioritization Guidance
- Start with highest-risk areas: Identity & Access, Data Protection, and Monitoring
- Implement controls that have cascading benefits (SSO enables better access management)
- Leverage cloud provider native controls before buying new tools
- Build team security culture - training and policies matter as much as tools
- Document as you go - demonstrates commitment to auditors and customers
Frequently Asked Questions
Where should we start?
Start with Identity & Access Management and Monitoring - they're the foundation for everything else. Implement SSO and MFA first, enable centralized logging, then move to endpoint security and data protection. These areas address the majority of startup security risks.
Do we need all of these for SOC 2?
No, but most of these items help significantly. SOC 2 auditors look for a risk-based security program with reasonable controls. This checklist covers best practices; your SOC 2 scope will be tailored to your specific systems and data.
What if we can't do everything?
Risk assessment is key. Document why you can't implement certain controls and what compensating controls you have instead. Auditors care more about thoughtful, documented decisions than checkbox completion.
How often should we review this?
Review quarterly as part of your risk management process. Update based on new threats, team changes, and customer requirements. Treat this as a living document, not a one-time checklist.
Get a Security Assessment
Let us help you build a security program tailored to your startup's needs.