Penetration Test Readiness Report

A penetration test (pen test) is an authorized simulated cyberattack on your systems, applications, or network to identify vulnerabilities before malicious hackers do. Security professionals use the same techniques as real attackers to find weaknesses, then provide a detailed report with remediation guidance.

Penetration test costs range from $5,000 for a basic web application test to $100,000+ for a comprehensive red team engagement. The price depends on scope, duration, infrastructure complexity, and the firm's expertise. Most mid-market companies pay between $15,000–$40,000 for an external + web application test.

A typical engagement lasts 1–3 weeks of active testing, followed by 1–2 weeks for report writing. Simple web app tests can be completed in 3–5 days, while full-scope red team exercises can run for 4–8 weeks. Timeline depends heavily on the agreed scope and number of testers assigned.

Key preparation steps include: defining your test scope and objectives, obtaining written authorization for all systems in scope, ensuring you have an up-to-date asset inventory, disabling overly aggressive IDS/WAF rules that would block testing, notifying relevant staff (IT, security, legal), and making sure you have a patch process ready for discovered vulnerabilities. Our free readiness report gives you a complete checklist tailored to your environment.

No. A vulnerability scan uses automated tools to identify known weaknesses — it's fast, inexpensive, and produces a list of potential issues. A penetration test involves human testers who actively attempt to exploit vulnerabilities, chain multiple weaknesses together, and demonstrate real-world business impact. Pen tests are far more comprehensive but also more expensive. Many compliance frameworks require actual penetration tests, not just scans.