Penetration Testing Services

Penetration testing costs depend heavily on scope — number of applications, IP ranges, test type, and engagement duration. A focused web application pentest (1–3 applications) typically runs $3,000–$8,000. A network infrastructure pentest for a mid-size environment runs $5,000–$15,000. Full red team exercises start at $25,000 and scale based on objectives and duration. Vista InfoSec provides fixed-price proposals after a free scoping call — no vague day-rate estimates that balloon in billing.

Black box testing simulates an external attacker with no prior knowledge — the tester starts from zero. Grey box testing provides partial information (credentials, architecture diagrams) to simulate an authenticated insider or a threat actor who has done initial reconnaissance. White box testing provides full access to source code, architecture, and credentials — simulating a knowledgeable insider threat or enabling thorough code-level review. For most clients, grey box provides the best balance of depth and realistic attack simulation for the investment.

Duration depends on scope and test type. A single web application assessment typically takes 3–5 days of active testing. A network infrastructure pentest for 50–200 IPs typically runs 5–8 days. Mobile app assessments take 3–5 days per platform. API testing depends on the number of endpoints — 50–100 endpoints takes 3–5 days. Red team exercises run 2–8 weeks. Add 3–5 business days for report writing and quality review. Vista InfoSec provides precise timelines in every proposal — no open-ended engagements.

Properly scoped and executed penetration testing should not disrupt production systems. Vista InfoSec agrees on testing windows with you before engagement — off-hours testing for sensitive systems, rate-limiting parameters for load-sensitive applications, and specific out-of-scope conditions (like DoS testing requiring explicit additional consent). We use professional-grade tools and experienced testers who calibrate exploit intensity to avoid service disruption. If you prefer, we can conduct testing in a staging environment mirroring production.

Several major frameworks mandate penetration testing: PCI DSS Requirement 11.4 requires external and internal penetration testing at least annually and after significant changes. SOC 2 CC7.1 requires testing of security controls including penetration testing. ISO 27001 Annex A 8.8 requires technical vulnerability management including penetration testing. CMMC Level 2 requires periodic security assessments. HIPAA Security Rule requires regular security assessments. DORA (EU financial services) requires threat-led penetration testing (TLPT) for significant institutions. Vista InfoSec scopes and reports penetration tests to satisfy the specific evidence requirements of each framework.

A quality penetration test report contains: an executive summary with overall risk rating, finding count by severity, and business impact summary for non-technical leadership; a detailed technical section with every finding including CVSS score, affected component, proof-of-concept evidence (screenshots, command output), step-by-step reproduction instructions, and specific remediation guidance (not generic "patch this"); and an appendix with scope, methodology, testing timeline, and tools used. Vista InfoSec reports are structured to satisfy both your development team and your external auditors — we've never had a report rejected for insufficient detail.