How the scope affects the cost of a pen test So regardless of what you are testing, the cost will come down to the scope and number of days required to complete the assessment. As previously mentioned, penetration testing companies charge based on day rates, rather than charging for different types of tests. You might be wondering if a particular type of pen test costs more than another, such as a network pen test, or an application pen test. Does the type of penetration test affect the cost? The more complex your requirements, the higher the day rate, as a more senior and experienced security consultant will be needed. Very broadly, you can expect to pay anything in the range of $1000 - $3000 per day, or £800 - £2500 per day in the UK.ĭay rates vary from vendor to vendor based on things like reputation, certifications, and special requirements for the tester’s experience, although discounts can be negotiated if you’re buying lots of days (anything more than fifteen days would be considered a large test).ĭay rates are typically flat, or tiered based on the seniority of the consultant carrying out the test. Pen tests are usually quoted on a ‘day-rate’ basis. It depends on the size of the bridge, any complicating factors, and how much coverage you want to get. If you imagine it like painting a bridge, it depends how big your bridge is, and how many coats of paint you want - just a thin covering might leave you exposed to the elements.Īsking how much does a pen-test cost is like asking how much it would cost to paint a bridge. It depends what you are working with, and how much depth you need to go to. Unfortunately, due to the variety in size and complexity of IT systems, this is like asking how long is a piece of string. People often ask what the cost of a standard penetration test is. The most important considerations fall into three categories: certifications, experience, and as always - the cost of a penetration test. There’s no easy answers to these questions, but the good news is that you can help yourself out by asking the right questions up front. How do you know if they’re any good? Can you tell what level of security expertise was delivered by reading the report? Was your application secure, or did the tester simply not find the serious weaknesses?

What that means is lots of companies find themselves needing to choose a vendor and understand how much penetration testing costs for the first time, and it’s not easy.įaced with the task of getting a penetration test done, the sheer number of providers can be daunting. Penetration testing has become an essential security requirement for businesses of all sizes, rather than just banks and governments. We live in the age of automated hacking systems, frequent data breaches and consumer protection regulations such as GDPR and PCI DSS.

Pricing for penetration testing in us