Penetration tests for companies of all sizes.

Penetration Testing for Companies of All Sizes

Penetration testing helps companies identify and fix security vulnerabilities. Certain aspects of penetration testing can also be automated thanks to technological advancements that enable continuous, automated vulnerability scanning. Below is a presentation of the offerings from six selected security companies.

Astra Security

Astra Security provides a range of penetration testing options to meet a wide variety of needs, including web applications, mobile applications, cloud security infrastructure, APIs, and networks. It also offers a vulnerability scanner with over 8,000 tests and can even scan behind login-protected pages. Smaller companies can purchase scanners and penetration tests à la carte according to clear pricing plans, while larger companies can opt for an enterprise package or request a custom quote for precise services.

Advantages:

    Artificial intelligence and machine learning help automate testing.
    The vulnerability scanner can run over 8,000 tests.
    Supports publicly verifiable penetration test certificates.

Pros:

    Transparent pricing compared to some competitors.
    Both à la carte pricing and packages are available.
    Many different types of penetration tests to choose from.

Cons:

    Trial version costs $1 per day.
    Upgrade to the Enterprise plan is required for Slack or Microsoft Teams support.

Intruder

In addition to continuous penetration testing services, Intruder leverages automation to offer both external and internal vulnerability scanning for 24/7 protection. This approach helps clients find and fix critical vulnerabilities even before the next scheduled penetration test.

Intruder offers a 14-day free trial and integrations with popular tools like Slack and GitHub.

Advantages:

    Add targets by IRL, IP address, or cloud integration.
    Compliance reports are always audit-ready.
    Schedule different scans and set parameters based on business priorities.
    Continuous penetration testing ensures quick response times.

Pros:

    14-day free trial available.
    Automatically generated compliance reports.
    The vulnerability scanner is easy to set up.

Cons:

    Continuous penetration tests can only be added to the Premium plan.
    Understanding what each plan or license includes can be challenging.

Cobalt.io

Cobalt uses a Pentest-as-a-Service approach, providing on-demand penetration testing when needed. Depending on the chosen plan and type of engagement, Cobalt can sometimes initiate penetration testing within just 1-3 business days. Its flexible credit-based model allows companies to allocate work based on business priorities or asset complexity.

Advantages:

    Tests align with various industry standards.
    A tailored team is selected from a pool of over 400 security experts to meet each client’s needs.
    Both preset and customizable reporting options are available.
    Free retesting is included in all plans.

Pros:

    Many types of penetration testing available, including cloud security.
    Quick start times for penetration testing.
    Responsive customer support.
    The interface is intuitive and easy to use.

Cons:

    Unconventional pricing model may be confusing at first.
    Standard plan includes only email support.

Acunetix

Acunetix is a web application security product targeted at small businesses that don’t need enterprise-grade penetration testing. Acunetix focuses on web applications, so it can’t be used for other infrastructure testing, such as networks and APIs. The Acunetix vulnerability scanner can detect over 7,000 network vulnerabilities and combines DAST and IAST scanning results for highly accurate reports.

Advantages:

    Vulnerability reports are categorized by priority.
    Tests over 7,000 types of network vulnerabilities.
    One-time or recurring scans can be scheduled.
    Can scan multiple environments simultaneously.

Pros:

    Unlimited users and scans.
    Combines DAST + IAST scanning results.
    Easy setup and deployment.
    Choose from various report types.

Cons:

    Limited to web applications only.
    Pricing isn’t transparent.
    No free trial version available.

Invicti

Invicti (formerly Netsparker) is similar to Acunetix but is geared toward large companies and enterprises. Its proof-based scanner leverages automation to quickly identify vulnerabilities and deliver actionable insights. Invicti’s automation and scalability allow enterprise cybersecurity teams to secure hundreds or even thousands of sites simultaneously.

Advantages:

    On-premises and on-demand deployment options available.
    Implementation assistance and training provided.
    Flexible support options.
    Advanced toolkit for manual scanning.

Pros:

    Unlimited users and scans.
    Combines DAST + IAST scanning results.
    Highly scalable and specifically designed for enterprises.
    Multiple customization options available.

Cons:

    Customer feedback indicates occasional false positives.
    Can be slow when scanning larger applications.

BreachLock

BreachLock offers three different penetration testing frequencies. Choose from one-time security validation, annual security validation, or continuous security validation depending on your needs. All three types of tests are conducted in-house by Breachlock's penetration testing team and include unlimited online remediation support as well as audit-ready reports.

Advantages:

    Free manual retesting included in each plan.
    Dedicated project manager for annual and continuous plans.
    “White glove” deployment support available.
    Unlimited online remediation support.

Pros:

    Multiple penetration testing frequencies available.
    Fast, helpful customer service.
    Offers both automated and manual testing.
    Unlimited online remediation support.

Cons:

    Upgrading to the Continuous plan is required to access all features.
    The one-time test does not include on-demand expert review sessions.

To choose the best penetration testing company for your needs, first determine the type of support you’re looking for. Do you want automated scanning, manual testing, or both? Then make a list of all the goals, applications, and asset types you wish to test. Also, consider the frequency of penetration testing you need: Do you require only a one-time test, or continuous monitoring of the entire infrastructure?

Source: TechRepublic, 2024