A hidden clause. A looming deadline. And a SOC 2 scramble that could cost a startup real money.
In this episode of Crushing It, Jonathan sits down with Kate Williams, Partner in the Risk Assurance & Advisory Practice at Maxwell Locke & Ritter and one of Austin’s leading SOC 2 and cybersecurity compliance experts. Kate breaks down why startups so often find themselves rushing into SOC 2, how a simple readiness process can prevent chaos, and why shadow AI is quickly becoming one of the biggest risks early-stage companies face.
She shares real stories from the field — including the moment a company discovered a contractual SOC 2 deadline with financial penalties attached — and offers practical guidance on training, culture, and security basics that can save young companies from disaster.
If you’re building a startup, selling into the enterprise, or navigating the rising pressure around compliance and AI, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.
