The right first framework depends on where your buyers are and what they'll accept. Here's a simple way to decide.
Follow your pipeline
North American buyers tend to ask for SOC 2. European, Middle Eastern and many Asian buyers lean toward ISO 27001. Look at the last ten security reviews you faced.
Plan for both from day one
The controls overlap heavily. Designing one control set that satisfies both means the second framework costs a fraction of the first.
Mind the timelines
A SOC 2 Type I can land quickly, but Type II needs an observation window. ISO 27001 certification is a single two-stage audit. Sequence them around your deal calendar.