For many businesses, penetration testing is an important part of their security protocol. In order to build a reputation and gain their customer’s trust, they need to ensure that they are secure against any risks that the digital realm may pose. However, penetration testing can be costly and difficult to find the right service for your needs. In this article, we will explore penetration testing services pricing as well as factors that might affect the pricing of a penetration test and what you should look for when choosing a penetration tester.
Why is penetration testing important?
Penetration testing is important because it allows businesses to identify any vulnerabilities in their system. This type of testing can help you protect your company from cyberattacks, data breaches, and other malicious activities. Penetration testers use a variety of methods to attempt to hack into your systems so that you can fix the vulnerabilities before they are exploited by hackers.
Benefits of penetration testing:
So what are some of the benefits that you can receive from a penetration test?
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Identifies system vulnerabilities before they happen.
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Shows how to prevent attacks and minimize their impact on your business in case there is an attack.
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Helps improve overall security awareness and policies within organizations, making them more secure against future threats like malware or other hacks.
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Saves your organisation’s reputation in the event of a data breach.
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Helps meet compliance requirements.
Penetration testing services prices
The penetration testing cost can vary depending on a number of factors, such as the size and complexity of your network, the type of tests that are conducted, the level of reporting required, and the amount of time needed to complete the test.
Based on the method of penetration testing perform the average prices are:
White-box testing: This is the least expensive type of penetration testing. It is done with adequate information and access to the target systems.
Cost: $500 to $2000 per scan
Black-box testing: This is a more comprehensive type of testing that is done with no prior knowledge about the system to be tested. As a result, testers need to put in more time and effort to gather information and find vulnerabilities to exploit.
Cost: $10,000 to $50,000 per scan
Grey-box testing: This is a hybrid between black-box and white-box testing. It provides testers with some information about the target system but not enough to do a white-box test.
Cost: $500 to $50,000 per scan
The cost is also unique to what platform or application is being tested:
Web application: $500 to $1000 per scan
Mobile application: $600 to $800 per scan
Other network devices: $100 to $200 per device scanned
Cloud-based infrastructures: $600 to $800 per scan
Factors that could affect the pricing
Several factors determine the cost of a pen test. They are:
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The size of the organization
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The number of systems to be tested
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Which platform or device is being tested
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The complexity of the environment
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What type of testing is being done (white, black, or grey box)
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Location (country)
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Duration of the test
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Remediation steps assisted with or suggested
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The experience of the provider
What to look for in a penetration testing service provider?
When looking for a penetration testing service, you should consider the following:
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Reviews and experience level: Look for a provider that has experience in your industry and/or with the specific applications or systems you are using. Check out their reviews to get an idea of how others found their service.
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Past customers: Ask the provider for a list of past customers so that you can contact them and ask about their experience.
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The team: Make sure they’ve got a knowledgeable and experienced team of testers and that you are comfortable with working with them.
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The method: Look at which method they use for the penetration test and whether it meets your requirements. Do not choose one without knowing more about it, as different methods could have a significant impact on the findings of your penetration test and its cost.
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Cost: Get quotes from multiple providers to get an idea of the average cost for your specific needs.
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Compliance testing: Find out if the provider can meet your compliance requirements.
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Time required: Ask the provider for an estimate on the duration of the test to see if it’s a schedule you can work with.
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What will it cover: Ask whether the penetration test will cover everything you need. This can include network scanning, vulnerability assessments, social engineering, exploitation, reporting and remediations.
How often should I conduct penetration tests?
The frequency of a penetration test will vary depending on the size and complexity of your organization as well as its security posture. However, most experts recommend conducting a pen test at least once a year.
Conclusion
Penetration testing is an important part of any organization’s security protocol. However, it can be difficult to find the right penetration testing service and understand how much it will cost. In this article, we have discussed the different factors that affect pricing and what you should look for when choosing a provider. We have also provided an overview of the process and steps to conduct a penetration test, as well as some useful resources.
