How much does a penetration test cost? Everything you need to know about the cost of a penetration test

The security of IT systems is crucial for companies in an increasingly digital world. A penetration test, also called a pentest, helps to uncover vulnerabilities in networks, applications or IT infrastructure before cybercriminals can exploit them. But a common question that companies ask is: How much does a penetration test cost?

In this article, you will learn which factors influence the cost of a penetration test and why it is worth investing in the security of your systems.

Factors that influence the cost of a penetration test

The costs of a pentest vary greatly and depend on several factors:

1. Type of penetration test

There are different types of penetration testing that require different approaches and techniques:

• Network Pentest : Examines the security of internal or external networks.

• Web Application Pentest : Focus on the security of web applications and APIs.

• Mobile App Pentest : Analyzes vulnerabilities in mobile applications.

• Social Engineering : Tests the human element through phishing attacks or other manipulation attempts.

The type of test directly influences the effort and therefore the costs.

2. Scope of the test

A big factor is the scope of the pentest:

• Number of systems or applications to be tested

• complexity of the IT infrastructure

• Geographical distribution (e.g. international locations)

The more extensive the test, the higher the costs.

3. Depth of the test

A black-box test , in which testers are not given any prior information about the system, is often more laborious than a white-box test , in which detailed system information is provided. A gray-box test is somewhere in between in terms of effort and cost.

4. Experience and qualifications of the testers

The expertise of the pentest team plays a crucial role. Certified experts with qualifications such as OSCP, CEH or CISSP often charge higher fees, but also deliver more in-depth results.

5. Industry-specific requirements

In regulated industries such as healthcare or financial services, additional compliance checks are often required, which can increase costs.

Average cost of a penetration test

The price range for a penetration test is wide as it depends greatly on the scope and requirements. Here are some rough guidelines:

• Small companies : From €5,000 for basic tests.

• Medium-sized companies : Between €10,000 and €30,000, depending on complexity.

• Large companies : From €50,000 for extensive and industry-specific tests.

Please note that these are only estimates. A customized quote will provide more precise information.

Examples of concrete costs

To give you a more accurate idea, here are some examples of typical scenarios and their costs:

External infrastructure

• 150 client PCs, 50 servers, 5 public IPs

• Test type : Greybox Pentest

• Target : Domain Admin and access to backup

• Duration : approx. 7 days

• Costs : approx. 8,000 €

Internal infrastructure

• 70 client PCs, 30 servers

• Test type : Greybox Pentest

• Target : Domain Admin and access to backup

• Duration : approx. 5 days

• Costs : approx. 6,000 €

External Pentest

• 10 public IPs

• Test type : Blackbox Pentest

• Target : Access to customer data, access to the internal network

• Duration : approx. 4 days

• Costs : approx. 5,000 €

Microsoft365

• 150 users, E3 licenses

• Test type : Whitebox Pentest

• Goal : Check settings for security

• Duration : approx. 3 days

• Costs : approx. 3,500 €

Why a penetration test is a worthwhile investment

Although the cost of a penetration test may seem high at first glance, consider the potential consequences of a security incident:

• Financial losses due to data leaks or system failures.

• Reputational damage that undermines the trust of customers and partners.

• Legal consequences of non-compliance with data protection regulations such as the GDPR.

A penetration test helps to identify and mitigate risks early on before they lead to serious problems.

Conclusion: Costs of a penetration test

The cost of a penetration test depends on several factors, including the type, scope and depth of the test. For small companies, prices start at around €5,000, while more complex tests for large organizations can be significantly more expensive.

However, a customized penetration test offers invaluable added value as it significantly increases the security of your IT systems and minimizes potential risks.

If you would like to learn more about how penetration testing can help your business or need a quote, please contact us!