Penetration Testing — Certified Ethical Hackers, Not Scanners
Automated scanners find known CVEs but miss the attacks that actually breach organisations — chained exploits, business logic flaws, and cloud misconfigurations. Opsio's OSCP and CREST-certified ethical hackers simulate real adversary techniques to prove what is exploitable, not just what is theoretically vulnerable.
Trusted by 100+ organisations across 6 countries · 4.9/5 client rating
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Tests Delivered
OSCP
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Report Delivery
CREST
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What is Penetration Testing?
Penetration Testing is a controlled cybersecurity assessment where certified ethical hackers simulate real-world adversary techniques against applications, infrastructure, APIs, and cloud environments to prove which vulnerabilities are exploitable.
Why Your Business Needs Professional Penetration Testing
Automated vulnerability scanners find known CVEs in software versions and configurations, but sophisticated attackers do not use scanners. They chain together low-severity findings, exploit business logic flaws, abuse cloud IAM misconfigurations, and leverage trust relationships between systems that automated tools miss entirely. The average time from vulnerability disclosure to active exploitation has dropped to 15 days — and for critical vulnerabilities it is often hours. Your organisation needs penetration testing services that think and act like real adversaries.
Opsio's penetration testing goes far beyond scanning. Our certified ethical hackers — holding OSCP, CREST CRT, GPEN, and CEH certifications — manually test your systems using the same techniques, tools, and attack chains that real threat actors employ. We use Burp Suite Professional for web application testing, custom scripts for API fuzzing, cloud-specific tools like Pacu (AWS) and ScoutSuite (multi-cloud), and manual exploitation techniques for infrastructure and network pivoting.
Without regular penetration testing, organisations operate with a false sense of security. Vulnerability scanners report 'no critical findings' while business logic flaws allow unauthorised data access, API endpoints leak sensitive information, and cloud IAM roles provide paths to full account compromise. Compliance frameworks including PCI DSS, ISO 27001, NIS2, and SOC 2 require regular penetration testing precisely because scanning alone is insufficient.
Every Opsio penetration testing engagement includes detailed scoping and rules of engagement, OSINT reconnaissance and attack surface mapping, manual exploitation with proof-of-concept for every finding, business impact analysis per vulnerability, a prioritised remediation report delivered within 48 hours, and a post-remediation retest at no additional cost to verify fixes.
Common penetration testing challenges we solve: web applications with OWASP Top 10 vulnerabilities that scanners flag but cannot confirm as exploitable, APIs with broken object-level authorisation (BOLA) allowing cross-tenant data access, cloud environments with IAM privilege escalation paths from read-only to admin, internal networks with Active Directory misconfigurations enabling domain compromise, and social engineering weaknesses where phishing tests reveal credential submission rates above 20%.
Following penetration testing best practices, our scoping process defines clear objectives, test boundaries, and success criteria before any testing begins. We use proven pen testing methodologies — OWASP Testing Guide, PTES, NIST SP 800-115, and CREST standards — selected for your specific engagement type. Whether you are scheduling your first penetration test or running a continuous testing programme, Opsio delivers the offensive security expertise to identify and prove real-world risk. Wondering about penetration testing cost, pen test frequency, or whether to choose automated versus manual testing? Our free scoping call answers every question with a tailored engagement plan.
How We Compare
| Capability | DIY / Scanner Only | Generic MSSP | Opsio Pen Testing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Testing methodology | Automated scans only | Junior analysts + scanners | ✅ OSCP/CREST manual testing |
| Business logic testing | ❌ Not possible | Basic | ✅ Full business logic coverage |
| Cloud-specific testing | Generic cloud scans | Limited | ✅ AWS, Azure, GCP native attacks |
| Report quality | Scanner output dump | Template-based | ✅ Custom with PoC + remediation |
| Retest included | ❌ | Extra cost | ✅ Free retest included |
| Compliance mapping | None | Basic | ✅ PCI DSS, ISO, NIS2, SOC 2 |
| Typical cost per engagement | $1-3K (scanner license) | $5-15K (limited manual) | $5-40K (full manual + retest) |
What We Deliver
Web Application Penetration Testing
Manual testing of web applications against the OWASP Top 10 using Burp Suite Professional: SQL injection, XSS, CSRF, SSRF, insecure deserialization, broken authentication, and business logic flaws. We test authenticated and unauthenticated attack surfaces, including session management, file upload handling, and role-based access control bypass.
Infrastructure & Network Penetration Testing
External and internal network penetration testing using Nmap, Metasploit, BloodHound, and custom tooling. We test perimeter defences, attempt lateral movement, escalate privileges through Active Directory attack paths, and demonstrate the full impact of a breach on internal systems and sensitive data.
Cloud Penetration Testing
Cloud-specific testing for AWS, Azure, and GCP using Pacu, ScoutSuite, and cloud-native tools: IAM privilege escalation, S3/Blob/GCS misconfiguration, metadata service exploitation (IMDS), cross-account role chaining, serverless function injection, and cloud-native attack chains unique to each provider.
API Security Testing
REST, GraphQL, and gRPC API testing for BOLA/IDOR vulnerabilities, authentication bypass, injection attacks, mass assignment, rate limiting gaps, and sensitive data exposure. We test against the OWASP API Security Top 10 with custom fuzzing scripts tailored to your API schema and business logic.
Social Engineering & Phishing Assessment
Targeted phishing campaigns, spear-phishing simulations, vishing (voice phishing), and pretexting assessments to evaluate your human firewall. We measure click rates, credential submission percentages, malware execution rates, and incident reporting behaviour with detailed metrics and awareness recommendations.
Remediation Verification & Retesting
After your team remediates findings, we retest every vulnerability to verify proper closure — no additional charge. Updated reports confirm remediation status with pass/fail evidence for each finding, providing compliance-ready documentation for auditors, customers, and regulatory bodies.
Ready to get started?
Get a Free Scoping CallWhat You Get
“Opsio has been a reliable partner in managing our cloud infrastructure. Their expertise in security and managed services gives us the confidence to focus on our core business while knowing our IT environment is in good hands.”
Magnus Norman
Head of IT, Löfbergs
Investment Overview
Transparent pricing. No hidden fees. Scope-based quotes.
Web Application Pen Test
$5,000–$15,000
Per application
Infrastructure + Cloud Test
$8,000–$25,000
Per environment
Full-Scope Engagement
$15,000–$40,000
App + infra + cloud + retest
Pricing varies based on scope, complexity, and environment size. Contact us for a tailored quote.
Questions about pricing? Let's discuss your specific requirements.
Get a Custom QuoteWhy Choose Opsio
OSCP and CREST certified testers
Every engagement staffed by OSCP, CREST CRT, or GPEN certified hackers — not junior analysts running automated scans.
Manual testing, not scanner output
We find business logic flaws, chained exploits, and cloud misconfigurations that no automated tool can detect.
Cloud-native attack expertise
Deep knowledge of AWS, Azure, and GCP attack surfaces — IAM escalation, metadata abuse, serverless injection.
Actionable remediation reports
Every finding includes severity, proof of concept, business impact assessment, and step-by-step fix guidance.
Compliance-ready documentation
Reports satisfy PCI DSS, ISO 27001, SOC 2, NIS2, and GDPR penetration testing requirements directly.
Free retest included
Post-remediation verification at no extra cost — confirming fixes are effective with updated evidence.
Not sure yet? Start with a pilot.
Begin with a focused 2-week assessment. See real results before committing to a full engagement. If you proceed, the pilot cost is credited toward your project.
Our Delivery Process
Scoping & Rules of Engagement
Define test targets, boundaries, testing windows, communication channels, and success criteria. Sign-off on scope and rules of engagement before any testing. Timeline: 2-3 days.
Reconnaissance & Attack Surface Mapping
OSINT gathering, subdomain enumeration, technology fingerprinting, and attack surface mapping. Identify all entry points and build an attack plan targeting the highest-risk areas. Timeline: 2-5 days.
Manual Exploitation & Testing
Certified testers manually exploit vulnerabilities, chain findings, escalate privileges, and demonstrate business impact with proof-of-concept evidence for every confirmed finding. Timeline: 5-15 days.
Reporting & Remediation Verification
Detailed technical report with executive summary delivered within 48 hours. Post-remediation retest verifies all fixes. Compliance evidence package for auditors. Timeline: 2-3 days + retest.
Key Takeaways
- Web Application Penetration Testing
- Infrastructure & Network Penetration Testing
- Cloud Penetration Testing
- API Security Testing
- Social Engineering & Phishing Assessment
Industries We Serve
Financial Services
PCI DSS and DORA-mandated penetration testing for banks and fintech platforms.
Healthcare
HIPAA security testing for healthcare applications handling protected health information.
SaaS & Technology
Continuous pen testing integrated with agile release cycles and CI/CD pipelines.
E-commerce & Retail
Payment system security and customer data protection validation testing.
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Penetration Testing — Certified Ethical Hackers, Not Scanners FAQ
What is penetration testing?
Penetration testing (pen testing) is a controlled cybersecurity assessment where certified ethical hackers simulate real-world attacks against your applications, infrastructure, APIs, and cloud environments. Unlike automated vulnerability scanning, pen testing involves manual exploitation — proving which vulnerabilities are actually exploitable and demonstrating business impact. It answers the question: 'If an attacker targeted us today, what could they actually achieve?' Compliance frameworks like PCI DSS, ISO 27001, NIS2, and SOC 2 all require regular penetration testing.
How much does penetration testing cost?
Penetration testing cost depends on scope and complexity. A standard web application pen test runs $5,000-$15,000 per application. Infrastructure testing ranges from $8,000-$25,000 depending on network size. Cloud environment testing is $8,000-$20,000 per provider. Full-scope engagements covering application, infrastructure, and cloud range from $15,000-$40,000. We provide fixed-price quotes after a free scoping call — no surprises. Retesting after remediation is included at no additional cost. Annual retainer clients receive discounted rates and priority scheduling, which is ideal for organisations needing quarterly or bi-annual testing cycles to meet compliance requirements.
How long does a penetration test take?
A typical web application test takes 5-10 business days of active testing. Infrastructure testing takes 5-15 days depending on network size and complexity. Cloud assessments require 5-10 days. API testing takes 3-7 days per API surface. Reports are delivered within 48 hours of testing completion. End-to-end from scoping to final report delivery is typically 2-4 weeks. We accommodate urgent timelines for compliance deadlines with expedited scheduling. For large-scope engagements, we can deploy multiple testers in parallel to compress the timeline while maintaining thorough coverage across all target systems and attack surfaces.
What is the difference between penetration testing and vulnerability scanning?
Vulnerability scanning is automated — tools like Qualys or Nessus identify known CVEs in software versions and configurations. Penetration testing is manual — a certified human tester attempts to exploit vulnerabilities, chain low-severity findings into high-impact attack paths, and test business logic that scanners cannot understand. Scanning tells you what might be vulnerable; pen testing proves what is actually exploitable. Both are essential — scanning for breadth, pen testing for depth.
Do I need penetration testing for compliance?
PCI DSS requires annual pen testing and after significant changes. ISO 27001 Annex A.8.8 requires technical vulnerability management including testing. NIS2 requires 'testing and auditing' of security measures. SOC 2 expects regular security assessments. GDPR Article 32 requires 'regular testing, assessing and evaluating' security measures. HIPAA requires risk analysis including technical testing. In practice, nearly every compliance framework either requires or strongly recommends regular penetration testing. Our reports are specifically structured to provide the evidence auditors need, with findings mapped to the relevant framework controls so you can demonstrate compliance directly from the pen test deliverables.
What penetration testing tools does Opsio use?
Our toolkit includes Burp Suite Professional for web application testing, Nmap and Metasploit for infrastructure, BloodHound for Active Directory attack path analysis, Pacu for AWS-specific testing, ScoutSuite for multi-cloud assessment, custom Python scripts for API fuzzing, Gophish for phishing simulations, and cloud-native tools from each provider. We select tools based on the engagement type and target technology stack rather than relying on a single platform. Our testers also develop custom exploit code when off-the-shelf tools cannot adequately test complex business logic vulnerabilities or chained attack scenarios unique to your application architecture.
Can you test cloud environments (AWS, Azure, GCP)?
Yes — cloud penetration testing is a core specialty. We test AWS for IAM privilege escalation, S3 misconfigurations, Lambda injection, IMDS exploitation, and cross-account role chaining. Azure testing covers Entra ID attacks, storage account exposure, Function App vulnerabilities, and managed identity abuse. GCP testing includes IAM escalation, Cloud Function injection, and GCS misconfiguration. We follow each provider's cloud pen testing policies and pre-authorisation requirements. Our cloud testing methodology also examines container escape paths in EKS, AKS, and GKE clusters, serverless misconfigurations, and cross-service privilege escalation chains that traditional network pen tests would never uncover.
Will penetration testing disrupt our production systems?
We take extensive precautions to minimise disruption. Testing is performed during agreed windows, we avoid destructive techniques such as denial-of-service or data deletion, and we coordinate with your team in real-time via a dedicated Slack or Teams channel. For production-critical systems, we recommend testing in staging first, then performing targeted validation tests against production. In 500+ engagements, we have never caused an unplanned production outage. Before testing begins, we agree on explicit rules of engagement including in-scope systems, excluded targets, emergency stop procedures, and escalation contacts so your operations team feels fully informed and comfortable throughout the process.
How often should we conduct penetration testing?
Best practice is annual comprehensive testing at minimum, with additional tests after significant changes such as new applications, major releases, infrastructure changes, or cloud migrations. PCI DSS mandates annual testing plus after significant changes. High-maturity organisations run continuous pen testing programmes with quarterly assessments of different scopes. We recommend at least two engagements per year — one focused on external attack surface and one on internal network and cloud. This rotation ensures full coverage over time while keeping costs manageable. Organisations in regulated industries like finance and healthcare often test quarterly to satisfy both compliance requirements and board-level risk expectations.
What should I expect in a penetration testing report?
Our reports include: an executive summary with overall risk rating and key findings for leadership, detailed technical findings with severity rated using CVSS scoring, proof-of-concept screenshots and commands, business impact analysis, step-by-step remediation guidance for each vulnerability, OWASP and CIS benchmark mapping, and a compliance evidence appendix. Reports are delivered within 48 hours as PDF and optionally through a findings portal with remediation tracking and retest scheduling. We also include a findings walkthrough session where our testers explain each vulnerability to your development and operations teams, ensuring they understand the risk and can implement fixes effectively.
Still have questions? Our team is ready to help.
Get a Free Scoping CallReady to Test Your Defenses?
Scanners miss what hackers find. Get a free pen test scoping call and see what an OSCP-certified tester would discover in your environment.
Penetration Testing — Certified Ethical Hackers, Not Scanners
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