Connecting a healthcare application to the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) involves more than integrating APIs and generating ABHA numbers. Hospitals, HealthTech startups, electronic medical record platforms, and health information exchange providers must also consider the security of patient data and connected systems.
Choosing among ABDM penetration testing companies in India becomes particularly important when preparing an application for security assessment and production integration.
The right testing partner should understand authentication security, API vulnerabilities, consent-based data exchange, and the risks associated with healthcare applications.
For 2027 planning, eight cybersecurity providers worth evaluating are Qualysec, Astra Security, Kratikal, SecureLayer7, Cyberops Infosec, Indusface, SISA Information Security, and eSec Forte Technologies.
This guide compares their penetration testing capabilities, explains ABDM-specific security considerations, and helps healthcare organizations choose an appropriate testing partner.
Top 8 ABDM Penetration Testing Companies in India: Quick Comparison
| Company | Primary Security Expertise | Best Suited For |
| Qualysec Technologies | Manual penetration testing, API, web, mobile, cloud and healthcare device security | HealthTech platforms and healthcare applications |
| Astra Security | Penetration Testing as a Service, application and API scanning | Healthcare SaaS and cloud-based applications |
| Kratikal | Penetration testing, vulnerability management and security assessments | Healthcare startups and digital platforms |
| SecureLayer7 | Offensive security, application testing and red teaming | Complex applications and API environments |
| Cyberops Infosec | Manual penetration testing, network and infrastructure assessments | Hospitals and healthcare IT environments |
| Indusface | Application security testing, API protection and continuous scanning | Healthcare web applications and APIs |
| SISA Information Security | Cybersecurity assessment, risk and compliance services | Regulated healthcare and payment environments |
| eSec Forte Technologies | VAPT, security audits and cybersecurity consulting | Healthcare enterprises requiring broader security assessments |
Important: These companies are shortlisted for relevant cybersecurity capabilities. Inclusion does not establish official ABDM accreditation, National Health Authority (NHA) approval, or independently verified ABDM-specific project experience.
What Is ABDM Penetration Testing?
ABDM penetration testing is a security assessment of applications and infrastructure connected to India’s digital health ecosystem.
It helps identify vulnerabilities that could expose patient information, allow unauthorized access, compromise application interfaces, or undermine consent-based health information exchange.
ABDM uses a federated architecture in which health records remain with their respective information providers rather than being stored in one centralized national health records database.
According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, applications undergo sandbox validation and security audits such as Web Application Security Audit (WASA) before integration with ABDM.
An ABDM security assessment may examine ABHA-related authentication, Health Information Provider (HIP) and Health Information User (HIU) integrations, consent handling, APIs, mobile applications, and supporting infrastructure.
Regulatory distinction: Penetration testing supports security assurance, while WASA and other required assessments form part of the applicable integration process. A penetration testing report alone does not guarantee ABDM production approval.
For healthcare platforms preparing for ABDM integration, understanding the M1, M2, and M3 milestones is equally important. Follow this ABDM integration checklist to understand the technical integration steps, FHIR requirements, and security testing considerations before production onboarding.
1. Qualysec Technologies
Qualysec Technologies is a CREST-accredited cybersecurity company headquartered in Bhubaneswar, India, specializing in penetration testing and offensive security assessments.
Its services cover web applications, mobile applications, APIs, cloud infrastructure, networks, IoT devices, and healthcare technology environments.
Qualysec combines manual security testing with automated vulnerability discovery to investigate authentication weaknesses, broken access controls, business logic flaws, and exploitable vulnerabilities.
Core Security Services
- Web and mobile application penetration testing
- API security assessments
- Cloud and network penetration testing
- Healthcare device and IoT security testing
- Vulnerability validation and remediation guidance
- Technical security assessments supporting compliance readiness
Why Consider Qualysec?
ABDM-connected applications exchange sensitive information through multiple systems and interfaces. Security weaknesses may arise in access control decisions, application logic, API authorization, or supporting infrastructure.
Qualysec’s assessment-focused approach is relevant to organizations that require manual vulnerability investigation alongside automated testing.
The company also provides a vulnerability reporting dashboard to help development and security teams track identified risks and remediation progress.
Healthcare Security Experience
In a published engagement involving an Indian AI-powered HealthTech company, Qualysec assessed three public-facing websites and network infrastructure, identifying 29 vulnerabilities, including two high-severity findings.
This demonstrates relevant healthcare technology assessment experience, although the case study is not presented as proof of a completed ABDM-specific audit.
Best Suited For: HealthTech startups, hospital software providers, healthcare SaaS companies, medical technology businesses, and organizations preparing security assessments for connected applications.
Explore: Qualysec’s Healthcare Penetration Testing Services
2. Astra Security
Astra Security provides penetration testing and application security services using automated scanning alongside expert-led testing.
Its platform supports security assessments of web applications, APIs, mobile applications, and cloud environments.
Core Services
- Web and API penetration testing
- Mobile application security assessments
- Cloud vulnerability assessments
- Automated vulnerability scanning
- Manual vulnerability validation
- Remediation tracking
Notable Differentiator
Astra’s Penetration Testing as a Service (PTaaS) approach supports organizations that prefer a centralized interface for managing security findings.
For ABDM-connected applications, buyers should confirm whether the proposed engagement includes manual testing of consent-related authorization, authenticated APIs, and healthcare data flows.
Best Suited For: HealthTech SaaS providers and application teams seeking combined automated and manual security testing.
3. Kratikal
Kratikal is an India-based cybersecurity company offering penetration testing, vulnerability management, and security consulting.
Its testing capabilities cover applications, APIs, cloud environments, mobile platforms, and networks.
Core Services
- Web and mobile application penetration testing
- API security testing
- Cloud and network assessments
- Red teaming
- Vulnerability management
- Security assessment reporting
Notable Differentiator
Kratikal offers AutoSecT, a vulnerability management and penetration testing platform designed to support vulnerability identification, prioritization, and remediation workflows.
Healthcare organizations can evaluate Kratikal for testing digital applications and their supporting infrastructure.
Specific ABDM integration experience, auditor eligibility, and consent-workflow testing coverage should be confirmed during vendor evaluation.
Best Suited For: Healthcare technology providers and organizations seeking penetration testing with structured vulnerability management.
4. SecureLayer7
SecureLayer7 specializes in offensive security, penetration testing, application security research, and adversarial assessments.
Its services are relevant to organizations operating complex software applications and interconnected digital environments.
Core Services
- Web application penetration testing
- API security assessments
- Cloud security testing
- Red teaming
- Security research and exploit validation
- Application vulnerability assessments
Notable Differentiator
SecureLayer7 emphasizes researcher-led testing, exploit validation, and technical evidence.
For healthcare applications, this approach can support investigations into authorization weaknesses, insecure application logic, and vulnerabilities across connected APIs.
However, buyers should separately verify experience with ABDM-specific workflows and relevant security audit requirements.
Best Suited For: HealthTech companies with complex application architectures, custom integrations, and demanding technical testing requirements.
5. Cyberops Infosec
Cyberops Infosec provides penetration testing and cybersecurity assessment services across applications, networks, cloud infrastructure, and enterprise environments.
Its approach emphasizes manual testing, security weakness validation, and technical reporting.
Core Services
- Web application penetration testing
- Mobile application security testing
- API penetration testing
- Network and infrastructure assessments
- Cloud security assessments
- Vulnerability validation and reporting
Notable Differentiator
Cyberops offers assessments across application and infrastructure environments.
This can be relevant to hospitals operating patient portals, internal healthcare systems, administrative applications, and connected network infrastructure.
Organizations should confirm whether specific ABDM security audit requirements are included in the proposed engagement.
Best Suited For: Hospitals, healthcare IT teams, and digital health providers requiring application and network security assessments.
6. Indusface
Indusface provides application security testing and protection capabilities across websites, APIs, and digital applications.
Its offerings include penetration testing, automated application scanning, and web application and API protection.
Core Services
- Web application penetration testing
- API security testing
- Mobile application security assessments
- Dynamic application security testing
- Continuous vulnerability identification
- Application security monitoring and protection
Notable Differentiator
Indusface combines security testing with application protection capabilities, making it relevant to organizations that want ongoing visibility into externally accessible applications.
For ABDM-integrated platforms, buyers should ensure the assessment covers authenticated workflows, authorization controls, and consent-related business logic rather than only perimeter scanning.
Best Suited For: Healthcare SaaS providers and organizations managing public-facing healthcare applications and APIs.
7. SISA Information Security
SISA Information Security provides cybersecurity assessment, risk management, and compliance-related services.
The company has a strong focus on regulated environments, particularly payment security and associated cybersecurity requirements.
Core Services
- Penetration testing and vulnerability assessments
- Application and infrastructure security assessments
- Security risk consulting
- Compliance-related cybersecurity services
- Incident response and forensic capabilities
- Security monitoring services
Notable Differentiator
SISA’s experience with regulated security environments can be useful for organizations managing healthcare platforms alongside payment processing, financial transactions, or compliance-sensitive infrastructure.
Its relevance to ABDM should be assessed against the actual security testing scope, rather than inferred from payment-industry credentials alone.
Best Suited For: Healthcare enterprises with complex regulatory requirements and interconnected payment or operational systems.
8. eSec Forte Technologies
eSec Forte Technologies is an Indian cybersecurity company providing penetration testing, information security audits, security consulting, and incident response services.
Its portfolio covers applications, networks, cloud infrastructure, and enterprise security environments.
Core Services
- Vulnerability assessment and penetration testing
- Web and mobile application security testing
- Network security assessments
- Cloud security consulting
- Security audits and risk assessments
- Digital forensics and incident response
Notable Differentiator
eSec Forte combines technical security assessment services with broader cybersecurity consulting and audit capabilities.
Healthcare organizations can evaluate the company for security testing across multiple technology environments and verify whether the relevant auditor eligibility requirements are satisfied.
Best Suited For: Hospitals, healthcare enterprises, and organizations requiring security testing alongside wider cybersecurity assessment services.
What Should ABDM Penetration Testing Cover?
An effective ABDM security assessment should be tailored to the system’s actual integration role and data flows.
| Security Area | What Testers Should Examine |
| Authentication | Token handling, session security and unauthorized login attempts |
| API Security | Broken object-level authorization, injection, exposed endpoints and rate limiting |
| Consent Management | Consent scope, expiry, revocation and unauthorized data access |
| Health Data Exchange | Secure transmission, recipient authorization and data exposure |
| FHIR Interfaces | Input validation, resource authorization and sensitive data handling |
| Mobile Security | Local storage, insecure communication and token leakage |
| Cloud and Infrastructure | Access controls, configuration weaknesses and exposed services |
| Audit Logging | Security events, access records and sensitive data in logs |
These are recommended assessment areas, not a claim that every ABDM participant must complete an identical set of tests.
How to Choose an ABDM Penetration Testing Company
Penetration testing is one part of preparing a healthcare application for the applicable ABDM integration and security review process. For a broader understanding of eligibility, documentation, integration milestones, and security requirements, read our ABDM certification guide.
Before selecting a provider, ask five practical questions.
- Can the team test consent-driven healthcare workflows? Request examples of how testers evaluate unauthorized record access, consent expiry, and role-based restrictions.
- Does the assessment include authenticated API testing? ABDM integrations involve connected systems, so testing only public web pages may leave important risks unexplored.
- Is the auditor eligible for the required security audit? Verify whether the applicable NHA process requires a CERT-In empanelled or STQC-authorized assessment provider, and confirm current eligibility.
- What will the security report contain? Request clear findings, technical evidence, severity ratings, remediation recommendations, and applicable validation results.
- Will the provider support retesting? Agree on remediation validation, reporting timelines, and retesting arrangements before the engagement begins.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is penetration testing mandatory for ABDM integration?
ABDM integration involves sandbox validation and applicable security audit requirements, including WASA. Penetration testing can support those assessments, but organizations must follow the current NHA integration and security clearance process relevant to their application.
2. What is the difference between ABDM VAPT and WASA?
VAPT identifies and validates vulnerabilities across the agreed technical scope. WASA focuses on web application security auditing. A broader penetration testing engagement may support WASA preparation, but the required deliverables and auditor eligibility must be confirmed.
For healthcare applications using ABHA-related APIs, web application security testing may form an important part of security assessment preparation. Our ABHA Web Application Security Certificate guide explains relevant security testing considerations, documentation, and the assessment process.
3. Which company is best for ABDM penetration testing in India?
The best company depends on the application architecture, healthcare integration requirements, auditor eligibility, testing depth, and reporting expectations. Qualysec, Astra, Kratikal, SecureLayer7, and other providers in this guide offer relevant security testing capabilities, but ABDM-specific experience should be verified before selection.
4. How much does ABDM penetration testing cost in India?
Pricing depends on the number of applications, APIs, integration workflows, cloud environments, testing depth, and documentation requirements. Organizations should request a scope-based quotation rather than rely on an unverified industry-wide price estimate.
Preparing for an ABDM Security Audit? Talk to a Healthcare Security Expert.
Conclusion
Choosing an ABDM penetration testing company in India requires more than comparing service lists or cybersecurity certifications.
Healthcare organizations need testing that examines patient data protection, authentication, consent-driven information exchange, API security, and relevant infrastructure.
The eight providers listed here offer different strengths across penetration testing, application security, vulnerability management, and cybersecurity consulting.
For businesses developing ABDM-connected healthcare platforms, Qualysec offers CREST-accredited penetration testing capabilities across applications, APIs, cloud environments, and healthcare technologies.
