The top companies in the penetration testing industry are recognized for their expertise, experience, and quality of service. Some of the most notable penetration testing companies include:
- CrowdStrike
- Description: CrowdStrike is renowned for its Falcon platform, which delivers comprehensive endpoint protection and detects and responds to threats with advanced AI technology. Their cybersecurity services extend beyond traditional defenses, offering threat intelligence and incident response capabilities.
- Penetration Testing Service Link: CrowdStrike Services
- Secureworks
- Description: Secureworks offers various cybersecurity solutions, including managed detection and response (MDR), incident response, and threat intelligence. Their penetration testing services are designed to identify vulnerabilities across networks, applications, and systems.
- Penetration Testing Service Link: Secureworks Security & Penetration Testing
- Rapid7
- Description: Rapid7’s Insight platform provides vulnerability management, application security, and security automation and orchestration. Their penetration testing service, delivered by experts, aims to uncover critical vulnerabilities and provide actionable insights.
- Penetration Testing Service Link: Rapid7 Penetration Testing Services
- Acunetix
- Description: Acunetix leads in automated web application security software, offering a powerful scanner to detect and report various vulnerabilities. At the same time, primarily a tool provider, their solutions are integral to the penetration testing process.
- Penetration Testing Service Link: Acunetix Solutions
- Trellix
- Description: Trellix delivers advanced cybersecurity solutions for threat detection, response, and endpoint security. Their services are designed to provide comprehensive protection and rapid response to cyber incidents.
- Penetration Testing Service Link: Trellix Cybersecurity Services
- Invicti
- Description: Invicti specializes in web application security with tools like Netsparker and Acunetix, designed to automate identifying security flaws in web applications. Their solutions are crucial for security teams conducting penetration tests.
- Penetration Testing Service Link: Invicti Web Application Security
- Cobalt
- Description: Cobalt’s Penetration Testing as a Service (PTaaS) platform revolutionizes traditional pen-testing by connecting businesses with a global talent pool of cybersecurity experts to conduct on-demand, comprehensive security assessments.
- Penetration Testing Service Link: Cobalt Penetration Testing
- Intruder
- Description: Intruder provides a proactive security monitoring solution to find and highlight vulnerabilities before attackers can exploit them. Their cloud-based scanner checks for thousands of vulnerabilities and is essential for continuous security assessment.
- Penetration Testing Service Link: Intruder Vulnerability Scanning
- QA Mentor
- Description: QA Mentor offers a broad spectrum of quality assurance and testing services, including security testing. Their cybersecurity services aim to ensure applications are functional and secure from vulnerabilities and threats.
- Penetration Testing Service Link: QA Mentor Security Testing
- ScienceSoft
- Description: ScienceSoft provides IT consulting and cybersecurity services, helping organizations protect their IT infrastructure against cyber threats. Their penetration testing services cover networks, applications, and compliance with industry standards.
- Penetration Testing Service Link: ScienceSoft Penetration Testing
- ThreatSpike Labs
- Description: Offering a fully managed security service, ThreatSpike Labs provides comprehensive coverage from penetration testing to vulnerability scanning and threat detection, helping businesses safeguard their digital assets.
- Penetration Testing Service Link: ThreatSpike Cybersecurity Services
- Redbot Security
- Description: Redbot Security specializes in manual penetration testing services, employing expert techniques to uncover vulnerabilities in networks, applications, and IoT devices. Their approach is tailored to provide deep insights into security weaknesses.
- Penetration Testing Service Link: Redbot Security Penetration Testing
- Astra Pentest
- Description: Astra’s cybersecurity solutions include a comprehensive penetration testing service to identify website, web application, and network vulnerabilities. Their services also include compliance assessments and cybersecurity certifications.
- Penetration Testing Service Link: Astra Security Services
- MindfulQA
- Description: While primarily a software testing company, MindfulQA includes security testing as part of its services. They focus on identifying potential vulnerabilities in software applications to prevent security breaches.
- Penetration Testing Service Link: MindfulQA Testing Services
- Bugespy
- Description: Bugespy offers penetration testing services to detect vulnerabilities in IT systems and networks. Their team of experts uses advanced techniques to simulate real-world attacks, helping to strengthen security postures.
- Penetration Testing Service Link: Bugespy Services
- FireEye Penetration Testing (Now part of Mandiant)
- Description: FireEye, known for its advanced cybersecurity and threat intelligence solutions, offers penetration testing services through Mandiant. These services are designed to identify vulnerabilities and provide strategic recommendations for security improvements.
- Penetration Testing Service Link: Mandiant Security Validation
- BreachLock
- Description: BreachLock offers a SaaS platform that provides Penetration Testing as a Service (PTaaS), combining automated scanning with manual expert analysis to uncover vulnerabilities across web, mobile, and network environments.
- Penetration Testing Service Link: BreachLock Penetration Testing
- RidgeBot
- Description: RidgeBot is a robotic automated penetration testing system that simulates hacking attacks to identify and prioritize security risks. Their technology enables continuous assessment and mitigation of vulnerabilities.
- Penetration Testing Service Link: RidgeBot Penetration Testing
- Pentest-Tools.com
- Description: Pentest-Tools.com offers an online suite of penetration testing and vulnerability assessment tools, enabling users to conduct comprehensive security audits of their networks, websites, and applications.
- Penetration Testing Service Link: Pentest-Tools.com
- IBM
- Description: IBM provides various cybersecurity services, including penetration testing and vulnerability management. Their extensive resources and expertise help organizations strengthen their defenses against sophisticated cyber threats.
- Penetration Testing Service Link: IBM Security Services
- Hacken
- Description: Specializing in blockchain and cryptocurrency security, Hacken offers penetration testing, smart contract audits, and other cybersecurity services to protect businesses in the rapidly evolving digital asset industry.
- Penetration Testing Service Link: Hacken Services
These companies represent a broad spectrum of cybersecurity expertise, offering tailored penetration testing and security assessment services to address the diverse security needs of businesses across industries. And represent the leading edge of the penetration testing industry, providing comprehensive services and expertise to help organizations strengthen their cybersecurity defenses.
| Company | Location | Services | Industries | Certifications |
| Crowdstrike | USA | Penetration testing, vulnerability assessment, red teaming, threat hunting, incident response, cloud security, endpoint protection | Government, healthcare, education, finance, retail, energy, manufacturing | CREST, PCI DSS, ISO 27001, SOC 2, FedRAMP, HIPAA, GDPR |
| Secureworks | USA | Penetration testing, vulnerability scanning, threat intelligence, incident response, managed detection and response, and security awareness training. | Government, healthcare, education, finance, retail, energy, manufacturing, media, hospitality | CREST, PCI DSS, ISO 27001, SOC 2, FedRAMP, HIPAA, GDPR |
| Rapid7 | USA | Penetration testing, vulnerability management, application security, cloud security, incident response, threat detection and response, security orchestration and automation | Government, healthcare, education, finance, retail, energy, manufacturing, media, technology | CREST, PCI DSS, ISO 27001, SOC 2, FedRAMP, HIPAA, GDPR |
| Acunetix | Malta | Web application security testing, network security scanning, API security testing, WordPress security testing, compliance reporting | Government, healthcare, education, finance, retail, energy, manufacturing, media, technology | PCI DSS, ISO 27001, SOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR |
| Trellix | USA | Penetration testing, vulnerability assessment, web application security testing, mobile application security testing, cloud security testing, social engineering testing, compliance testing | Government, healthcare, education, finance, retail, energy, manufacturing, media, technology | CREST, PCI DSS, ISO 27001, SOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR |
| Invicti | USA | Web application security testing, network security scanning, API security testing, WordPress security testing, compliance reporting | Government, healthcare, education, finance, retail, energy, manufacturing, media, technology | PCI DSS, ISO 27001, SOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR |
| Cobalt | USA | Penetration testing, vulnerability assessment, web application security testing, mobile application security testing, cloud security testing, API security testing, compliance testing | Government, healthcare, education, finance, retail, energy, manufacturing, media, technology | CREST, PCI DSS, ISO 27001, SOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR |
| Intruder | UK | Penetration testing, vulnerability scanning, web application security testing, cloud security testing, compliance testing | Government, healthcare, education, finance, retail, energy, manufacturing, media, technology | CREST, PCI DSS, ISO 27001, SOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR |
| QA Mentor | USA | Penetration testing, vulnerability assessment, web application security testing, mobile application security testing, cloud security testing, API security testing, compliance testing | Government, healthcare, education, finance, retail, energy, manufacturing, media, technology | CREST, PCI DSS, ISO 27001, SOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR |
| ScienceSoft | USA | Penetration testing, vulnerability assessment, web application security testing, mobile application security testing, cloud security testing, network security testing, compliance testing | Government, healthcare, education, finance, retail, energy, manufacturing, media, technology | CREST, PCI DSS, ISO 27001, SOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR |
| ThreatSpike Labs | UK | Penetration testing, vulnerability assessment, web application security testing, mobile application security testing, cloud security testing, network security testing, compliance testing | Government, healthcare, education, finance, retail, energy, manufacturing, media, technology | CREST, PCI DSS, ISO 27001, SOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR |
| Redbot Security | USA | Penetration testing, vulnerability assessment, web application security testing, mobile application security testing, cloud security testing, network security testing, compliance testing | Government, healthcare, education, finance, retail, energy, manufacturing, media, technology | CREST, PCI DSS, ISO 27001, SOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR |
| Astra Pentest | India | Penetration testing, vulnerability assessment, web application security testing, mobile application security testing, cloud security testing, API security testing, compliance testing | Government, healthcare, education, finance, retail, energy, manufacturing, media, technology | CREST, PCI DSS, ISO 27001, SOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR |
| MindfulQA | USA | Penetration testing, vulnerability assessment, web application security testing, mobile application security testing, cloud security testing, API security testing, compliance testing | Government, healthcare, education, finance, retail, energy, manufacturing, media, technology | CREST, PCI DSS, ISO 27001, SOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR |
| Bugespy | India | Penetration testing, vulnerability assessment, web application security testing, mobile application security testing, cloud security testing, API security testing, compliance testing | Government, healthcare, education, finance, retail, energy, manufacturing, media, technology | CREST, PCI DSS, ISO 27001, SOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR |
| FireEye Penetration Testing | USA | Penetration testing, vulnerability assessment, web application security testing, mobile application security testing, cloud security testing, network security testing, red teaming, purple teaming, compliance testing | Government, healthcare, education, finance, retail, energy, manufacturing, media, technology | CREST, PCI DSS, ISO 27001, SOC 2, FedRAMP, HIPAA, GDPR |
| BreachLock Penetration Testing as a Service | USA | Penetration testing, vulnerability assessment, web application security testing, mobile application security testing, cloud security testing, network security testing, API security testing, compliance testing | Government, healthcare, education, finance, retail, energy, manufacturing, media, technology | CREST, PCI DSS, ISO 27001, SOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR |
| RidgeBot | China | Penetration testing, vulnerability assessment, web application security testing, mobile application security testing, cloud security testing, network security testing, API security testing, compliance testing | Government, healthcare, education, finance, retail, energy, manufacturing, media, technology | CREST, PCI DSS, ISO 27001, SOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR |
| Pentest-Tools.com | Romania | Penetration testing, vulnerability scanning, web application security testing, network security testing, compliance testing | Government, healthcare, education, finance, retail, energy, manufacturing, media, technology | PCI DSS, ISO 27001, SOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR |
| IBM | USA | Penetration testing, vulnerability assessment, web application security testing, mobile application security testing, cloud security testing, network security testing, red teaming, threat intelligence, incident response, security orchestration and automation | Government, healthcare, education, finance, retail, energy, manufacturing, media, technology | CREST, PCI DSS, ISO 27001, SOC 2, FedRAMP, HIPAA, GDPR |
| Hacken | Ukraine | Penetration testing, vulnerability assessment, web application security testing, mobile application security testing, cloud security testing, network security testing, API security testing, blockchain protocol audit, smart contract audit, proof of reserves, dApp audit, bug bounty program, CCSS audit, tokenomics audit | Government, healthcare, education, finance, retail, energy, manufacturing, media, technology | CREST, PCI DSS, ISO 27001, SOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR |
Methodology for ranking penetration testing companies
To determine the ranking of penetration testing companies, a comprehensive methodology can be employed that takes into account various factors.
Creating a methodology for ranking penetration testing (pentest) companies involves several critical steps to ensure the evaluation is comprehensive, fair, and relevant to stakeholders’ needs. Here is a structured approach:
1. Define Evaluation Criteria
Establish clear, measurable criteria that reflect the qualities of top-notch pentest companies. These criteria may include:
- Expertise and Certification: Qualifications of the team, including certifications like OSCP (Offensive Security Certified Professional), CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker), etc.
- Experience: Years in the industry, variety and complexity of projects handled.
- Methodology: The thoroughness and appropriateness of their penetration testing methodology and adherence to recognized frameworks (such as OWASP, PTES, and NIST).
- Scope of Services: Range of services offered (e.g., web application, network, wireless, social engineering tests).
- Tools and Techniques: Use cutting-edge tools and techniques, including proprietary solutions.
- Reporting and Support: Quality of reporting, clarity of findings, recommendations, and post-testing support.
- Client Feedback: Reviews and testimonials from previous clients.
- Regulatory Compliance: Ability to test in compliance with relevant regulations (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA, PCI-DSS).
- Industry Recognition: Awards, certifications, and acknowledgments from reputable industry bodies.
2. Gather Data
Collect data on pentest companies that you intend to rank. This could involve:
- Reviewing company websites and marketing materials.
- Analyzing client testimonials and case studies.
- Conducting interviews or surveys with clients.
- Reviewing industry reports and awards.
3. Quantify and Score
Develop a scoring system for each of the evaluation criteria. This could be a numerical scale (e.g., 1-10) or a qualitative scale (e.g., poor, fair, reasonable, excellent). Assign weights to each criterion based on its importance to ensure the ranking reflects the most critical aspects of the pentest service.
4. Peer Review and Validation
To ensure fairness and accuracy, the methodology and initial rankings should be reviewed by experts not involved in the ranking development. This could include industry experts, cybersecurity professionals, or academic researchers.
5. Rank and Publish
Based on the scoring and weighting system, calculate the total scores for each company to establish the ranking. Publish the ranking along with detailed methodology, criteria, scoring system, and any disclaimers about the evaluation process.
6. Update Regularly
Cybersecurity is a fast-evolving field. Regularly review and update the ranking criteria, weights, and company scores to reflect changes in the industry, emerging threats, and new regulatory requirements.
7. Transparency and Objectivity
Maintain transparency about the methodology, sources of information, and any potential conflicts of interest. This builds trust in the ranking process and the results.
8. Feedback Mechanism
Implement a mechanism to receive feedback on the ranking from the companies evaluated and the broader cybersecurity community. Use this feedback to refine the methodology and ensure it remains relevant and valuable.
This methodology provides a structured framework for evaluating and ranking pentest companies, ensuring that the process is comprehensive, fair, and adaptable to changes in the cybersecurity landscape.
Disclaimer: The content on this site should not be considered investment advice. Investing is speculative. When investing, your capital is at risk.
