It’s hard for many businesses to figure out how much security testing will cost. There are weak spots in computers that these tests help find. The prices for the different kinds of pen tests are broken down in our guide.
You will learn what makes the price change and how to pick the best test for your needs. Are you ready to find out more?
The main things that affect the cost of penetration testing
The price of a pen test depends on a few important factors. The price and scope of your security review will depend on these things.
How hard the target system is to understand
The cost of a pen test depends a lot on how complicated the system is. It might cost $5,000 to look at simple networks with few devices. Costs can go over $100,000 for big, complicated systems with a lot of connections.
IoT gadgets, mobile apps, and cloud setups all make things more complicated. It takes longer and more skill to test each stage fully.
There are more ways for a system to be broken into if it is more complicated.
To find weak spots in a system, testers have to look in every corner. For more complicated setups, this takes longer and costs more. It costs $4,000 to $15,000 to do black box tests on simple computers. It can cost $30,000 or more to do white box tests on very complicated networks.
Because they are so big and complicated, custom projects for big businesses often cost more than $50,000.
How skilled and well-known the penetration testing team is
Tests are much better when they are done by skilled pen testers. Most of the time, companies with CREST and OSCP certs charge more. Their teams know a lot and can give better thoughts. Testers with more experience cost more because they have done more work.
Sometimes, less skilled testers might miss problems that are hard to find.
A great team uses the most up-to-date tools and methods. They are more like attacks that happen in real life. You can use this to find more security holes in your systems. The next thing that changes the cost of a pen test is how big and detailed the test is.
The Penetration Test’s Range and Size
The size and scope of a security test have a big effect on how much it costs. A simple test could cost a small business anywhere from $2,000 to $10,000. Prices are usually $100,000 or more, though, for bigger businesses with more complicated processes.
The size of the test also changes the price. An in-depth test of a web app costs less than a full test of the network. The price goes up because there are more goals, which takes more time and resources.
Testers also think about how in-depth the research needs to be. Scanners that only look at the surface of a system are cheaper than ones that look inside it carefully. Compliance rules, like PCI DSS, can make things bigger and cost more.
The skill level of the security testing team is another important factor.
Needs and Requirements of the Industry
Pen test prices are set by rules in the industry. Prices go up because of strict rules in healthcare and business. SOC 2, ISO 27001, DORA, NIS 2, and GDPR are just a few of the rules that many fields must follow. These rules usually call for tests once a year.
Some rules lay out the exact steps for testing. For instance, PCI DSS has clear steps for keeping credit card info safe. To pass exams, companies must do these things. This could make tests harder and cost more.
But not taking tests could lead to big fines and data breaches.
Help with retesting and fixing problems
A lot of the time, penetration testers help with retesting and solving problems. Within 90 days, Blaze Information Security will do one free fix check. This lets clients know that they’ve properly fixed issues.
But tests can take as long as the first one, so it might cost more for extra checks.
A lot of pen test companies charge extra for help with fixing mistakes. This includes tips on how to fix holes in security and make sure changes work. Clients should find out about these services ahead of time to avoid being surprised by costs later on.
Good testers will show you how to fix issues and give you advice on how to make security better generally.
How much different types of penetration testing usually cost
The price of a pen test depends on the type of test you need. Net or cloud tests usually cost more than web app tests because they cover more ground.
How much a web application penetration test costs
Tests for web apps can cost different amounts, depending on how big and complicated the app is. A small test of a web app could cost around $3,000. Tests that are bigger or more complicated can cost up to $30,000.
The price is also changed by the number of apps that are checked. Many businesses have more than one way to charge, like fixed-price deals or rates based on time. These tests look for holes in web apps, which helps businesses stay safe from online dangers.
The costs rely on things like how skilled the tester is and how thorough the test is. Some tests only look at certain parts of the app, while others test the whole thing. The price might include tests to make sure the fixes work.
When picking a web app penetration test, businesses should think about their finances and the level of security they need. Apps can be attacked if these tests aren’t done, which could cost a lot more in the long run.
Costs of a Network Penetration Test
Let’s move on from web apps to networks and talk about how much network security tests cost. These tests look at how safe the internal and external networks of a company are. A lot of the time, network pen tests cost between $15,000 and $50,000.
The price changes based on how big and complicated the network is. It will cost more to test networks that are bigger and have more gadgets and systems. The price is also based on how skilled the tester is and how thorough the test is.
It costs something based on things like the amount of IP addresses and network parts. It might cost more for tests that include social engineering or checks of the physical security. There are companies that offer set prices for basic network tests.
Some charge by the hour or day. In general, a network pen test costs between $10,000 and $35,000. After the first evaluation, companies should plan for follow-up tests to make sure that the fixes worked.
Costs of a Cloud Penetration Test
The price of a cloud security test depends on how many cloud services are being tested and how complicated they are. In general, prices run from $10,000 to $50,000, with $15,000 being the average. It is checked by these tools to see where cloud infrastructure, APIs, and data protection are weak.
They help keep private information saved in the cloud safe from hacks and people who shouldn’t have access to it.
How much cloud security testing costs depends on things like how big the cloud system is and how in-depth the testing needs to be. Companies that use the cloud more often and in more complicated ways usually pay more for thorough testing.
Simple tests that cost less but still give small businesses useful information about their cloud security may be the best choice for them.
How much a mobile app penetration test costs
For mobile apps, pen tests range in price from $12,500 to $40,000, with $25,000 being the norm. These prices change based on how big and interesting the app is. Testing on more than one platform costs more. Like, it costs more to test an app that works on both iOS and Android than one that only works on one device.
The price is also affected by how hard the app is to use. More thorough testing is needed for apps with a lot of features or private data, which drives up the cost.
To find weak spots in mobile apps, testers use tools such as OWASP ZAP and Burp Suite. Some of the things they look for are bad data keeping, weak security, and bugs in the app’s code. The end price is also affected by how skilled the tester is and how long the test takes.
Some testers may charge more if they are very good at finding bugs that are hard to find.
Costs of Penetration Tests for SaaS and APIs
Different systems have different prices for SaaS and API security tests. Most tests cost between $5,000 and $20,000. The cost is based on how many apps and functions need to be tested.
It often costs more to fully test bigger systems with more features. Testers have to look at every part of the system to find places where it could fail.
As part of their protection plan, businesses should set aside money for these tests. It might seem like a lot of money, but it’s not as much as having to deal with a data leak. Bugs can be fixed before hackers can use them if tests are done well.
It’s a good way to spend money to keep people happy and info safe.
Testing Pricing Models for Breach
Different companies that do pen tests have different price plans. That way, clients can pick the one that fits their wants and price the best.
Packages for fixed prices for penetration testing
Fixed-price penetration testing deals give you a clear idea of how much the job will cost. For simple tests, these kits start at around $4,000. As more tests are done, the price goes up.
It costs between $4,000 and $15,000 for black box testing, which acts like an attack from the outside. White-box testing, in which testers know things that other people don’t, costs $10,000 to $30,000 or more.
Companies usually pick fixed-price deals to keep their costs down and make sure everyone knows what to expect. It says in these contracts what will be tried and for how long. Companies can choose from tests for web apps, network apps, or mobile apps, depending on what they need.
In the next part, we’ll talk about how to price pen testing based on time and materials.
Pricing based on time and materials
Based on time and materials Pricing is a popular way to figure out how much penetration testing costs. Testers are paid based on the hours they work and the materials they use for the test. This method is flexible because the limit can be changed based on what is found.
Clients pay based on how much work is put into a job. This can be anywhere from $5,000 to $40,000 or more. A simple test could cost up to $10,000 for a small business.
This way of setting prices lets you work in great detail on complicated systems with no set limits. It works well for projects where the full scope of the work isn’t clear at the start. The next part will talk about the Pre-Purchased Days or Credits Model, which is another way to price penetration testing services.
Model for pre-bought days or credits
The model of pre-bought days or funds gives you options for how to handle penetration testing costs. A company can buy testing days or credits ahead of time and use them at a later date. When you compare this plan to paying for each test separately, you can often save money.
Firms need to keep track of their points so they don’t run out.
With this price choice, businesses can make their testing plan fit their needs. It’s not necessary to fill out extra forms every time they want to run tests. In the next part, we’ll look at how current ties with suppliers affect the cost of security testing.
Penetration testing services bundled together
It’s more valuable to switch from pre-paid days to packaged services. Bundled penetration testing packages save you money by combining more than one security check into one package. Web app, network app, and mobile app tests are often part of these sets.
If a company gets a full security review instead of separate tests, they save money. It costs between $8,900 and $34,600 on average to test an app. When you bundle services, you can save a lot of money on this.
Companies that package services test systems with a number of different tools. A vulnerability checker, ethical hacking, and red team tactics are some of the things they might use. This mix makes sure that a company’s defenses are thoroughly checked.
Often, bundled services also come with help solving problems that are found. Clients will find this extra help to be worth more with the deal.
How business models affect the cost of penetration testing
Prices for vulnerability testing are affected by business methods in a number of ways. Having ties with suppliers and bundling services can help keep costs down. Do you want to know more about how to get the most for your security money? Read on!
Effects of Present Supplier Connections
Cost cuts can come from already having ties with suppliers. When companies hire testers they’ve already worked with, they often get savings. This takes place because the tester already knows how the company’s systems work.
They do not have to spend as much time getting to know the setup. They can charge less for their services because of this.
Companies and users can trust each other more when they work together for a long time. Because of this trust, price choices may be more open. A tester might, for instance, offer grouped services or days that have already been paid for at a lower price.
Over time, these deals can help companies save money on their protection needs. Next, we’ll talk about what could go wrong if you pick cheap security tests.
Bundling services can save you money.
A smart way to save money on vulnerability testing is to buy services that come in a bundle. When companies buy more than one type of test in one package, they can save money. This method makes sense for companies that need to do a lot of different security checks.
Like, a company might group together tests for web apps, networks, and mobile apps.
It’s also easier to test when things are joined together. One project manager is in charge of all the work. This arrangement makes things clearer and faster. Plus, it often leads to better security ideas in general.
There are more links between different parts of a company’s systems that testers can find.
What could go wrong if you pick cheap penetration tests?
Lots of the time, bad things happen after cheap pen tests. Assessments that are done too quickly miss important security holes, leaving systems open to threats. Low-cost companies might not be able to figure out tough problems.
The tools they use might be too simple and miss more advanced risks. You could lose info and your good name if you do this.
Over time, good pen tests are really useful. They find more holes and give better tips on how to fix them. To act like real hackers, good testers use complex techniques. They also help you figure out why security holes happen and fix them.
If you pay for professional pen testing now, you can avoid expensive leaks in the future.
In conclusion
The cost of penetration testing depends on a lot of different things. Firms that are smart look at these things to find the best price-to-quality ratio. They pick tests that meet their goals and don’t cost too much.
When you try to save money, you might miss risks and get fake protection. If you want strong protection, you need to pay for thorough testing by professionals. This investment is worth it because it keeps important data and valuables safe from threats.