Penetration Testing Quote: Astra Pentest Service

On average, a high-quality penetration testing quote can range between $5000 – $15,000. If the scope of work includes multiple network devices, mobile or web applications, and APIs, the pricing can go up to $100,000 or more. 

However, contrary to popular belief, a penetration testing quote documentation outlines far more than just the associated cost of services. It includes the scope, testing methodology, deliverables, and the timeline.

Nonetheless, with pricing as a primary concern, here’s a list of the various types of penetration tests and their approximate cost:

What is a Penetration Testing Quote?

A penetration testing quote is a formal document outlining the cost and details of a simulated cyberattack on your systems. This quote typically includes the following components:

• Scope: This section defines the attack surface, encompassing network segments, specific web applications, APIs, or cloud infrastructure. It may also outline exclusions, like production databases or critical SCADA systems.
• Methodology: The quote details the chosen penetration testing methodology, such as black-box, white-box, or a hybrid gray-box approach. It also specifies adherence to industry frameworks like OWASP or compliances like GDPR, ISO, and SOX for a standardized testing process.
• Deliverables: This section outlines the expected reports, including detailed vulnerability findings with CVSS ratings, exploitability assessments, Proof-of-Concept videos, remediation guidance, and potential integration with SIEM systems.
• Timeline: The quote specifies the estimated duration of the engagement, factoring in factors like enumeration (discovery of attack vectors), exploitation attempts, and post-exploitation activities like privilege escalation and lateral movement simulations, along with reporting and rescans as needed.
• Cost: This section breaks down the total cost of the pentesting service. It may include labor costs for experienced penetration testers, licensing fees for specialized external tools like web vulnerability scanners, password sprayers, etc., and any cloud-based resources required for testing.

What Factors Affect a Penetration Testing Quote?

Scope and Methodology of the Pentest:

Simply put, the broader and deeper the test needs to be, the higher the resources and, as such, the quote. Thus, a basic website scan will be far more pocket-friendly than a comprehensive audit of your entire network infrastructure, including cloud environments and mobile applications. 

Similarly, an automated penetration test using an intelligent scanner is often more budget-friendly than a manual pentest. As such, clearly define your security goals, key areas, and targets to receive an accurate quote and avoid scope creep. 

Size of Organization:

Compared to SMEs, larger organizations with complex IT environments naturally require more resources for testing, as the higher the number of systems, users, and data points more is the time and effort needed.

While some providers offer economies of scale benefits, the total cost to companies is still high, but a phased approach based on criticality and reliance on various assets can help navigate this.

Compliance Implications:

If your pentesting needs are driven by compliance requirements, specific regulations such as PCI, HIPAA, SOX, or ISO will dictate the testing methodology and reporting format. This will translate to additional documentation and specific testing procedures, thus impacting the cost.

Explore ways to integrate your internal security assessments or vulnerability scans with the findings with the pentest to reduce redundancy and streamline the compliance pentest, potentially lowering costs.

Quality of Penetration Testers:

Highly experienced pentesters with recognized industry certifications like OSCP or CISSP help ensure a more thorough and reliable assessment of your infrastructure, which is often also reflected in their quote.  

The above cost can be mitigated by employing a judicious mix of automated and manual penetration tests to ensure continuous security and depth of analysis.

Location:

The external penetration testing quote can vary depending on your provider’s geographical location, with varying business costs, exchange rates, and other economic factors. 

However, while outsourcing cybersecurity contracts, always consider factors such as potential communication barriers and time zone differences that could impact the timeline and a management plan for the same.

Additional Services:

Lastly, while the initial pentest pinpoints vulnerabilities, post-testing services such as tailored reporting, remediation guidance, and rescanning help address complex vulnerabilities and optimize your security posture. 

As such, while the above adds to the average pentest cost, they also help improve your ROI by ensuring a comprehensive understanding and a clear path toward remediation.

Types of Penetration Testing Quotes Based on Methodology

1. Black-Box Penetration Testing Quote

A black-box penetration test typically costs $5,000 to $15,000, simulating a real-world cyberattack. A pentester starts with basic information like your company’s website IP address and other publicly available information and leverages various techniques to identify CVEs and gain unauthorized access. 

The cost may vary depending on the extent of the reconnaissance phase (mapping your network) and the need for diverse testing tools.

2. White-Box Penetration Testing Quote

Contrary to the above, a white-box pentest, quoted at $5,000 to $50,000, involves a security analyst performing a more in-depth analysis equipped with detailed knowledge of your network architecture, applications, and security controls. 

It helps identify and exploit vulnerabilities that might be missed in a black-box scenario.  

3. Grey-Box Penetration Testing Quote

typically priced at $5,000 to $20,000, a grey-box pentest finds the middle ground between the black and white box, here, the pentester receives limited access to specific applications or user accounts, along with basic system documentation. 

This partial visibility allows them to simulate a more targeted attack, like an insider with access credentials or a persistent attacker who has gained a foothold in your network.

Why Astra is the best in pentesting?

• We’re the only company that combines automated & manual pentest to create a one-of-a-kind pentest platform.
• Vetted scans ensure zero false positives.
• Our intelligent vulnerability scanner emulates hacker behavior & evolves with every pentest.
• Astra’s scanner helps you shift left by integrating with your CI/CD.
• Our platform helps you uncover, manage & fix vulnerabilities in one place.
• Trusted by the brands you trust like Agora, Spicejet, Muthoot, Dream11, etc.

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Common Misconceptions Associated With Pentesting Quotes

1. Penetration Testing Quotes are One-Size-Fits-All.

Pentesting is a customized service, and factors like the size and complexity of your systems, the desired scope of the test, and the expertise of the pentesters all influence the final quote. 

Thus, while some vendors have basic plans based on common needs, you can always request a penetration testing quote unique to your specific security needs.

2. The Cheapest or Most Expensive Pentest is Automatically the Best.

Don’t be fooled by the price tag! The cheapest pentesting quote might seem attractive but may not provide the thorough assessment you need, while the most expensive quote doesn’t guarantee the best results.

Thus, the key is finding a penetration testing provider with the expertise and experience to address your specific security needs.

3. Pentesting is Unreasonably Expensive and Only for Big Businesses

While cost varies depending on factors like scope and methodology, certain companies offer options to scale pentesting to fit most budgets. 

While the potential cost of a data breach far outweighs the investment in a pentest, a focused pentest on critical systems can immensely benefit smaller businesses with limited resources.

How can Astra help?

Built by security veterans with a collective experience of 50+ years, Astra provides a powerful PTaaS platform that seamlessly blends automation, AI, and human expertise. This translates to thorough security audits and VAPT solutions you can rely on.

Our intelligent scanner, armed with over 10,000+ tests, dissects web applications with pinpoint accuracy, identifying vulnerabilities with zero false positives in vetted scans. Going beyond the application, we also scan the API endpoints it consumes and its cloud infrastructure.

Capable of assessing individual APIs, cloud infrastructure, mobile apps, and network devices, our unique AI test cases are designed to find intricate business logic vulnerabilities, while our CXO-friendly dashboard and customizable reports streamline the remediation process.

If you want to know more, take a look at what our customers have to say!

Final Thoughts

To conclude, while a penetration testing quote might seem like a simple price tag, it actually offers a wealth of information about the security assessment you’ll receive. A high-quality average pentest quote usually ranges between $5000 to $15,000.

The final quote, though, considers the complexity of your systems, compliance requirements, and the expertise of the testers you hire. 

Moreover, don’t be fooled by the cheapest quote or assume the most expensive option is automatically the best. A well-crafted quote from a reputable provider should align with your specific security needs and provide a clear path toward improving your overall security posture. 

Astra Pentest is built by the team of experts that helped secure Microsoft, Adobe, Facebook, and Buffer

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