Penetration testing companies to consider in 2024

Selecting the right penetration testing company is crucial for safeguarding your organization’s systems and sensitive data.

This article aims to serve as an honest directory of penetration testing companies based on our experience in the past eight years and positive feedback from conversations with customers who use multiple pentest providers. These penetration testing companies are known for their track record of published security research, the skills of their staff and solid market reputation.

It’s important to note that this is not a ranking of the best penetration testing companies, and as such, a definitive list doesn’t exist – the existing lists out there are simply false. Instead, it highlights penetration testing companies and cybersecurity services providers recognized for their consistent quality and reliability in delivering pen testing services based on several criteria discussed below.

List of penetration testing companies

• Atredis Partners
  
• Bishop Fox
  
• Blaze Information Security
  
• Cure53
  
• Doyensec
  
• Elttam
  
• Include Security
  
• IOActive
  
• MDSec
  
• NVISO
  
• Praetorian
  
• Silent Signal
  
• Synacktiv
  
• RandoriSec
  
• Tanto Security
  
• Trail of Bits
  
• Radically Open Security
  
• Recurity Labs

The companies in this list were chosen based on signals such as a proven track record in manual penetration testing, positive industry feedback and reputation, and a team of skilled, certified professionals. We also examined their commitment to original security research through technical blogs, published vulnerabilities and tools, presentations at industry conferences, and public pentest reports. Emphasis was placed on firms prioritizing in-depth, manual penetration testing over automated tools. The list is presented alphabetically to ensure a neutral and unbiased selection.

We’ve divided the list into two categories: boutique penetration testing companies and large corporations offering penetration testing services. We didn’t include crowdsourced security testing firms and bug bounty providers on this list. Whether you prefer a boutique firm’s specialized services or a large corporation’s extensive resources and more robust solution portfolio, this guide offers valuable information on reputable security testing providers.

If your company is looking to hire a firm for pentest services, you are encouraged to use this resource to find the right penetration testing partner to enhance your organization’s cybersecurity posture.

All trademarks, logos, and brand names are the property of their respective owners. Company, product, and service names mentioned in this article are used solely for identification purposes.

A curated list of boutique penetration testing firms

Boutique penetration testing companies offer specialized services with a personalized approach. These firms are often more agile and innovative, focusing intensely on cybersecurity and tailoring their solutions to meet specific client needs. Boutique companies often provide highly customized penetration tests with a “white-glove” closer client relationship and greater flexibility than larger firms.

Here are some reputable boutique penetration testing companies to consider, in alphabetical order:

Boutique penetration testing providers offer specialized, high-quality services tailored to security needs. Choosing one of these reputable firms increases the chance of getting quality service to improve your organization’s cybersecurity posture.

List of large corporations offering penetration testing services

Large managed service providers offer a broad range of cybersecurity services, often on a global scale. They have the resources and capabilities to handle complex, enterprise-level security needs. These firms focus on solutions beyond penetration testing, integrating services like vulnerability assessment, managed security services, threat intelligence, SOC and continuous security monitoring.

While large providers may not offer the same flexibility and customization as boutique firms, they bring industry expertise, global reach, and the ability to handle large volume and high-demand environments. These providers are ideal for organizations needing large-scale testing with integrated risk management. Below are some leading providers catering to large enterprises.

Accenture

Accenture is a global IT and consulting firm offering a wide range of services, including cybersecurity solutions such as penetration testing, threat intelligence, managed security services and vulnerability assessments. Accenture’s clients span across multiple industry verticals, including financial services, healthcare, and manufacturing.

In recent years, Accenture acquired several cybersecurity companies such as Deja Vu Security, FusionX, Morphus, Sentor, iDefense, MNEMO, 6point6, and others, significantly growing their portfolio of solutions.

Key services:

• Vulnerability assessments and threat management
• Penetration testing and compliance audits
• Managed security services and incident response

Areas of specialization:

• Continuous security monitoring and risk management
• Security strategy and compliance services

Unique selling points:

• Global reach and extensive industry expertise
• Strong focus on compliance and governance

Coalfire

Coalfire is a leading cybersecurity advisory services firm based in the United States, offering services worldwide. Coalfire caters predominantly to highly regulated industries such as finance and healthcare, especially the public sector in the United States.

Key services:

• Compliance and risk assessments
• Penetration testing and vulnerability management
• Cloud and infrastructure security testing

Areas of specialization:

• Compliance-driven security testing (e.g., PCI DSS, HIPAA)
• Cloud security assessments

Unique selling points:

• Strong focus on compliance and regulatory requirements
• StateRAMP and FedRAMP 3PAO assessment services

Dell SecureWorks

Dell SecureWorks is a cybersecurity services provider known for its managed security services and vulnerability assessments. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, SecureWorks offers solutions tailored to industries such as retail, healthcare, and finance, focusing on threat detection and incident response.

Key services:

• Penetration testing and risk assessments
• Managed detection and response (MDR)
• Compliance and regulatory services

Areas of specialization:

• Threat intelligence and continuous security monitoring
• Compliance-focused security audits
• Incident response services

Unique selling points:

• Industry-leading threat intelligence capabilities
• Comprehensive managed security services

Eviden (formerly Atos)

Eviden, previously known as Atos, is a cybersecurity provider offering vulnerability assessments, penetration testing, and managed security solutions. With headquarters in France, Eviden provides services to industries such as defense, manufacturing, and finance. We have encountered Eviden more prominently in European customers.

Key services:

• Penetration testing and security audits
• Continuous security monitoring and threat intelligence
• Compliance services and regulatory support

Areas of specialization:

• Cloud and infrastructure security
• Compliance-driven security assessments
• Body leasing (staff augmentation) services

Unique selling points:

• Strong focus on compliance services for regulated industries and government clients
• Expertise in cloud security and infrastructure
• A large number of IT security professionals and a wide solutions portfolio

NetSPI

NetSPI is a leading cybersecurity company based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with offices in the UK and India. The company focuses on delivering scalable and continuous security testing solutions through their platform, offering services to industries such as finance, healthcare, and technology.

Key services:

• Application penetration testing for web, mobile, and API environments
• Cloud penetration testing for AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud environments
• Network penetration testing for internal and external infrastructure
• Breach and attack simulation and attack surface management

Areas of specialization:

• Continuous vulnerability management with live reporting via a web-based platform
• Red teaming and social engineering testing
• Secure code reviews and compliance assessments

Unique selling points:

• A Penetration Testing as a Service (PTaaS) platform with real-time reporting and remediation guidance
• Blue chip customers, including Microsoft and many Fortune 500
• A large team of cybersecurity experts

Optiv

Optiv is a leading cybersecurity solutions provider. It offers a full spectrum of security services, including managed security services, penetration testing, and security consulting. Based in Denver, Colorado, Optiv serves clients mainly in North America, focusing on security architecture, risk management, and compliance services. Its services cater to industries such as healthcare, finance, and government.

Key services:

• Vulnerability assessments and management
• Penetration testing and security audits
• Compliance services for regulatory requirements

Areas of specialization:

• Continuous security monitoring
• Managed detection and response

Unique selling points:

• Expertise in security consulting and managed services
• Compliance services for heavily regulated industries

NCC Group

NCC Group is a global cybersecurity player, providing penetration testing, managed security services, and vulnerability management. Headquartered in Manchester, UK, with offices across North America, Australia, Europe and Asia-Pacific, the company has a broad client base, including governments and large enterprises across finance, healthcare, tech, and transportation sectors.

Key services:

• Penetration testing and security assessments
• Managed detection and response
• Continuous security monitoring and threat intelligence

Areas of specialization:

• Application security assessments
• Cloud security testing
• MDR services and incident response

Unique selling points:

• Global footprint and trusted by leading enterprises, with numerous blue-chip customers

Orange Cyberdefense

Orange Cyberdefense is the cybersecurity division of Orange Group, offering a comprehensive range of services, including managed security services and vulnerability assessments. Headquartered in France, Orange Cyberdefense serves clients in sectors like telecom, energy, and finance. Orange Cyberdefense recently acquired several companies in the space, such as SensePost, SCRT and Telsys.

Key services:

• Ethical hacking services, penetration testing and vulnerability management
• Continuous security monitoring and threat intelligence
• Training, such as the ones provided by SensePost at Black Hat
• Compliance services and security audits

Areas of specialization:

• Security testing and assurance services
• Incident response
• Managed detection and response

Unique selling points:

• Strong presence in European markets

NTT Data

NTT Data is a global IT services provider offering cybersecurity solutions, including vulnerability assessments and penetration testing. Headquartered in Tokyo but with offices worldwide, NTT Data serves a wide range of industries, including finance, healthcare, and government, focusing on enterprise-level security solutions.

Key services:

• Penetration testing and vulnerability management
• Managed security services and risk management
• Compliance and regulatory services

Areas of specialization:

• Large-scale enterprise security solutions
• Security monitoring and threat intelligence

Unique selling points:

• Global reach with a focus on enterprise security

How do you choose a reputable penetration testing company?

Choosing the right penetration testing firm is essential for ensuring a thorough and effective security assessment. A reputable penetration testing company brings expertise, reliability, and thoroughness to the process, ensuring risks are accurately identified and addressed. Here are key reasons to opt for a reputable pen testing provider:

• Proven track record: Pen testing companies with successful penetration tests against hard targets, original research and positive client feedback provide superior quality services. A solid track record demonstrates reliability and expertise.
• Specialization in cybersecurity: Opt for penetration testing firms specializing exclusively in cybersecurity services. These companies often have better-trained staff and provide superior pen testing compared to those with broader service portfolios. The truth is, no hacker-minded pentester ever dreamed of working for a large and bureaucratic consultancy firm.
• Defined scope and expertise: Ensure the penetration testing firm has experience relevant to your specific testing needs. A clear definition of scope helps choose a company with the necessary expertise and knowledge.
• Technical proficiency: Choose a provider that showcases its technical capabilities through blogs, research publications, public reports, etc. Evidence of original cybersecurity research is a strong indicator of staff competence.
• Skilled team and methodologies: Verify that the pen test company employs experienced penetration testers who use industry-standard tools and well-accepted methodologies, such as OWASP and the Penetration Testing Execution Standard (PTES). This ensures a comprehensive and effective assessment following industry best practices.
• Adequate insurance: Confirm that the penetration testing provider has liability insurance to cover any potential damages during testing. This provides an additional layer of protection and peace of mind.
• Accurate pricing: Obtain quotes from multiple pen testing companies to compare pricing. While getting a fair price is important, be cautious of significantly low prices, which may indicate lower quality services. In some cases, providers may bloat the pentest quote with additional services or add line items that are sometimes unnecessary, meaning reviewing the quote carefully is essential.
• Relevant certifications: Look for penetration testing firms with staff holding certifications like Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP), OSCE, OSWE, SANS GIAC, and other certifications that are practical, hands-on and have a solid reputation in the market. These credentials indicate the company’s expertise and commitment to high standards. Qualifications like the EC Council’s Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) aren’t well perceived among experienced practitioners.
• Full-time staff over freelancers: Prefer vendors with full-time, vetted employees over those relying heavily on freelancers or crowdsourced security testers. A penetration testing team comprised of full-time staff is often more reliable, consistent and more likely to follow the company’s methodologies and processes.
• Strong security procedures: Ensure the provider follows robust security practices and complies with standards and frameworks such as SOC 2 or ISO 27001. These standards indicate robust data security procedures.

By considering these factors, you can select a penetration testing company that provides thorough, reliable, and effective penetration tests to identify vulnerabilities tailored to your organization’s needs.

Final remarks

This directory aims to be a guide to help you understand what to look for when choosing a penetration testing company and a resource for finding reputable firms that deliver high-quality security assessments. This is not a list of top penetration testing companies – such lists are fake and written by marketing departments with no substance or value. However, you’re likely to get top-notch service from one of the providers in this directory.

The companies listed here – whether large corporations or boutique penetration testing companies – are recognized for providing comprehensive pentesting services and have built a solid reputation in the cybersecurity industry.

When evaluating a provider, it’s essential to focus on factors like their ability to deliver manual and comprehensive penetration testing services, their technical expertise, and the clarity of their penetration test reports. These reports should provide actionable insights into your organization’s security posture, helping you effectively mitigate security risks and cyber threats. Many companies offer advisory services and ongoing support, ensuring your defenses adapt to the threat landscape.

Whether you choose a large company offering penetration testing or a more specialized boutique penetration testing firm, selecting a leading provider is vital to safeguarding your systems and maintaining compliance. This directory provides a trustworthy starting point to help you find the right partner for your security needs.

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