How Much Does a Penetration Test Cost on Average?

• Pabitra Kumar Sahoo
• March 15, 2024
• No Comments

We already know how businesses are seeking ways to protect their sensitive data and employing strategies to avoid potential cyber-attacks and breaches. One of the effective strategies for doing so is penetration testing, a simulated cyberattack designed to evaluate the security of an application or network. But do you know how much a penetration testing cost on average?

“Being an investor in cybersecurity is not an expense, but an essential strategic decision for defending your business from unforeseen dangers.”

In this blog, we’ve made your decision-making about investing in penetration testing a bit easier. We have discussed why pentesting is important today, the average cost of penetration testing, and what influences the penetration testing price. Let’s delve into it.

Why Has Penetration Testing Become a Critical Aspect for Businesses?

According to Statista, the application security market will generate approximately $6.9 billion in 2024. The market size is predicted to grow by 14.14% annually from 2024 to 2028, reaching $11.83 billion by 2028.

These stats may be overwhelming, but what about the amount of data breaches and hacks? The number of vulnerabilities reached 26,447, exceeding the number of CVEs from the previous year. A survey discovered that a whopping 42% of companies suffer from external attacks on software security.

Companies today are relying on penetration testing more than before. Running a business requires you to prioritize activities and purchases depending on their importance and timeliness. When you’ve decided that building a strong cybersecurity strategy is vital to your company’s performance, it can take time to justify prices or assess whether a costly solution is worth the investment. 

What is the Average Penetration Testing Cost?

Penetration testing costs are often between 700 USD to 2000 USD. The cost varies depending on the type of targets, the number of targets, the quality of the pentesters, and the testing methodology utilized.

Pentesting fees vary depending on the number of assets and components tested. The need for penetration tests has increased over time, but pentesters are in limited supply. This has caused an increase in the cost of penetration tests. For example, testing a feature-rich online application takes more time, resources, and money than testing a basic one-page marketing website. 

When considering penetration testing costs or any other company expense, ask yourself the following questions: 

1. How much money would I lose if I didn’t execute this process? These losses may include client faith, money, or certifications. Some investments, such as frequent penetration testing, may be required to fulfill certification criteria established by HIPAA, PCI DSS, or ISO 27001.
2. Will a minimal charge for penetration testing satisfy the quality of excellence that I seek? Everyone wants to save money, but cutting corners may result in important blunders or subsequent expenditures that exceed the initial procedure.
3. Does a high price indicate that I am receiving the greatest service? Not necessarily. Consider what the service includes. 
4. How long has the organization provided these services? Time may naturally influence the pricing of a service, as a firm running a penetration test may demonstrate its capacity to complete it more swiftly and efficiently.

What Affects the Cost of Penetration Testing?

Most penetration testing firms provide personalized quotes since charges vary depending on the number of targets, pentester expertise, and technique. The penetration testing price relies on the following factors:

1. Size of Your Company:

Do you own a small local business? Is it a global company? The size of your firm significantly influences the cost of a penetration test. Larger businesses with complex infrastructures may need more thorough testing to assess the depth and breadth of their digital defenses. This may affect the cost, but it is also a promising investment in protecting precious digital assets.

2. Scope of the Test:

The breadth of the test you wish to run is closely related to its complexity. You may be more concerned about certain components and would like the cybersecurity specialist to spend more time testing them. A defined scope is still a prudent guideline to specify before a test begins to guarantee that expenses do not spiral out of control. 

3. Compliance Requirements:

Some requirements may mandate particular system testing, specific procedures, or certified suppliers. For example, the PCI DSS mandated that firms accepting payment cards employ PCI Security Council Approved Scanning Vendors to perform mandatory third-party penetration testing. 

In certain situations, mandatory scans may result in the development of unique testing scenarios to ensure compliance with the relevant standard. Organizations needing to comply with a standard (for example, HIPAA, ISO 27001, GDPR, SOC 2, etc.) must ensure that their vendor can run the appropriate tests and produce the relevant reports to fulfill compliance requirements.

4. Complexity of the Test:

The most fundamental concerns are the network’s size and complexity and the applications themselves. The size and architecture of the network, as well as the topology and segmentation, all contribute to its complexity. Application complexity is determined by the application’s variety (web, mobile, or software), the technological stack, and the integration points, which are APIs or other systems. 

Furthermore, the sensitivity of the application’s data, such as financial data, personally identifiable information (PII), or healthcare records, necessitates a comprehensive analysis. 

5. Methods Used:

Ensuring that your penetration test is carried out consistently using globally acknowledged and industry-standard methodologies is critical. Some techniques are based on the OWASP Top 10 and have been expanded with new threats and overall expertise. 

A thorough penetration test can reveal weaknesses in systems and the application layer. Thus, it is more expensive than a restricted assessment. Manual penetration testing is more expensive than automated ones since it requires more human work and has been shown to uncover deeper and unforeseen vulnerabilities.  

6. Experience of the Providers:

Penetration testers are sometimes referred to as “technological doctors.” As with any other discipline, being an accomplished penetration tester requires years of hard work. In addition, competence in this sector entails attaining technical competency, tool proficiency, specific industry knowledge, certifications, communication skills, and a desire to learn the most recent information.

The pentester’s competence is important in determining the cost of a penetration test because the success of detecting and correcting security vulnerabilities is heavily dependent on it. Furthermore, the total success of the penetration test varies significantly.

7. Timeline of the Test:

The more urgent the penetration test, the higher the price. The urgency is related to regulatory requirements, security events, third-party commitments, and product feature launches. This is mostly due to the need for extra resources such as technology, manpower, and decision-making.

The penetration testing service providers make the appropriate modifications based on the above characteristics to reflect the increasing demands associated with the urgent timescales while ensuring the quality of the penetration test results, even in such expedited conditions.

8. Remediation and Retesting:

Some penetration testing businesses provide extra support services, such as remedial testing, to assist clients in implementing proposed security enhancements or for continuing consulting. These services can be useful for firms trying to improve their security posture but can also lead to increased expenditures. To identify the best solution for your firm, you must compare the advantages of additional help against the accompanying expenses.

Insights into Pentest Reporting and Costs

Some suppliers believe that a more extensive report should justify a higher price, yet often, the lengthier a report is, the less value it provides to a business. What you truly want from your vendor is a test report that will assist your company in meeting the objectives of this pen test.

Furthermore, a brief report with clear and practical actions for correction and a follow-up meeting where the testers may assist your IT department could be the ideal solution. Request a comprehensive report from any potential provider to know what you will receive at the end of the test. 

Take a glimpse of a comprehensive pentest report and learn what it consists of to strengthen your security posture.

Choosing the Best and Affordable Penetration Testing Company

When picking a penetration testing provider, companies may feel overwhelmed when they attempt to dig beyond the vendor’s promises to establish genuine capabilities. An organization may need help distinguishing between equivalent providers even with adequately validated claims. In purchasing, the buyer must evaluate the vendor’s capabilities, expertise, trustworthiness, and fit.

1. Expertise and Experience

Look for a company that hires competent and experienced penetration testers with relevant certifications such as Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) or Offensive Security Certified Professional. Examine the company’s track record and client testimonials to evaluate its ability to execute effective penetration testing in various industries.

2. Methodology and Approaches

Find out how the organization does penetration testing. A competent organization will adhere to established methods such as the OWASP Testing Guide. Ensure they can adapt their approaches to your unique demands and regulatory constraints.

3. Range of Services 

Determine what testing services the organization provides. Verifying networks and apps is not enough; you’ll also need a business that can analyze social engineering and wireless security. Look for a business that can complete an analysis of all potential threats to your corporation.

4. Cost-Effectiveness 

Get estimates from many firms and compare their pricing. Be aware of organizations that offer drastically reduced pricing; they may give a different level of service. Consider the package’s contents, such as thorough reports and continuing assistance, to establish the total worth.

5. Compliance and Certifications

Ensure the organization adheres to industry standards and laws, such as PCI DSS or GDPR. Check for applicable certifications and affiliations with credible cybersecurity groups to demonstrate their commitment to quality and compliance.

6. Reporting and Certification 

Get sample pentest reports to assess the likely final task. Furthermore, the reports should provide clear outcomes that non-technical executives can understand at a high level and information for IT and security teams working on remediation. 

Why Choose Qualysec for Penetration Testing Services?

At Qualysec Technologies, security is important for both technology and business. We use industry-leading pentesters who use cutting-edge technologies and methodologies to uncover any vulnerabilities in your IT infrastructure. Here are some of the reasons why you should choose Qualysec as a pentesting service provider: 

Proven Track record

We have safeguarded over 350 online apps without a single data leak. From Fortune 500 companies to startups, we have earned trust with our testing techniques and ability to prevent applications from breaches and hacks.

Meeting Regulatory Compliance

Depending on the business, certain regulatory organizations require companies to undergo security tests, such as HIPAA, GDPR, PCI DSS, and ISO 27001. Qualysec helps firms achieve these industry requirements by providing penetration testing results.

Hybrid Testing Approach

Qualysec experts utilize a combination of automated and human testing approaches to identify common and hidden vulnerabilities. Furthermore, our trained, ethical hackers mimic real-world cyberattacks to identify any security holes that hackers might exploit to damage your company. 

Detailed Reporting 

Qualysec’s penetration testing results are thorough. They not only list the vulnerabilities discovered but also suggest how to remedy them successfully. Our degree of detail enables firms to eliminate threats and strengthen their security posture.

To contact us, fill out the form below, and our security professionals will contact you within 24 hours.

Conclusion

Penetration testing is a wise investment that protects your assets against security breaches, legal and remedial costs, and financial and reputational losses. The penetration testing price is justified when the ROI equals the whole cost of a data breach. As a result, reliable and thorough penetration testing is perfect for your organization’s security. 

Choose the best penetration testing business for your needs based on aspects like cost, scope, asset count, and deadline. Qualysec Technologies is a pentesting firm that offers upfront pricing and a variety of innovative features that make pentesting easier. Get in touch today!

FAQs

1. How often should I perform penetration testing?

Security professionals always recommend performing regular penetration testing to uncover issues and strengthen the apps. It is usually once a year and is recommended to be done after any updates on features for better security posture.

2. What is the average cost of a penetration test?

The average penetration testing price varies depending on your company’s size and requirements. It also varies for companies providing the services. Compare with service providers before choosing any.

3. What should you look for in a pentesting solution provider?

When searching for a pentesting solution provider, look for their experience in the industry and the services they provide. Also, look at the penetration testing cost they provide, certifications, and testing approaches.