How to Choose a Penetration Testing Provider: 10 Questions to Ask
Every provider says they find "critical vulnerabilities." Some deliver deep, verified testing. Others run a scanner and put their logo on the output. These questions help you tell the difference before you sign.
1. What exactly will you test?
A good provider asks about your application, roles, APIs and infrastructure, or discovers them, before quoting. If the quote comes back without understanding your product, the test probably will not either.
2. Is testing authenticated?
Ask whether testers will log in as multiple users and tenants. Access control flaws, the most common serious issue in SaaS, cannot be found without it.
3. Are findings verified?
Ask for a sample report. Look for proof of exploitation: requests, responses and a clear statement of impact. "Potentially vulnerable" findings without evidence are a red flag.
4. What methodology do you follow?
Credible answers reference established standards, such as OWASP Top 10, the OWASP API Security Top 10, the OWASP Web Security Testing Guide, or PTES, plus their own experience. Vague answers suggest an ad hoc process.
5. What does remediation guidance look like?
Generic advice like "validate input" does not help engineers. The best reports explain the specific fix for your code or configuration.
6. Is a retest included?
Retesting proves fixes work and produces clean evidence for auditors and customers. Find out whether it is included, how fast it is, and what it costs.
7. How long until I get results?
Ask about lead time to start, duration of testing, and time to report. If a deal or audit depends on the report, weeks of waiting can be costly.
8. Who designed the testing?
Experience matters. Ask about the people behind the methodology: their track record in bug bounty programmes, CVEs and real-world vulnerability research.
9. How do you handle our data and systems safely?
Ask about destructive testing, rate limits, data handling, and what happens if a critical issue is found mid-test.
10. Will the report work for our audit or customer?
Confirm the report includes scope, dates, methodology, severity, evidence and remediation status. Ask whether they can produce a customer-shareable summary or attestation letter.
Red flags
- A price quoted with no questions about your product.
- A sample report full of informational findings and missing headers.
- No authenticated testing.
- No retest option.
- Reluctance to explain methodology.
Scoring providers
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| Verified findings with evidence | High |
| Authenticated and API coverage | High |
| Specific remediation guidance | High |
| Speed to results | Medium to high |
| Retesting | Medium |
| Price | Medium |
| Report suitability for audits | Medium |
Where SecurityInfinity stands
SecurityInfinity verifies every finding, covers web apps, APIs and cloud, gives an exact fix per issue, supports unlimited retesting through on-demand runs, and delivers a first report in about ten minutes. The methodology was built by a researcher ranked in HackerOne's top 100 and a Bugcrowd MVP. See a sample by starting free or book a demo.
Frequently asked questions
Should I choose the cheapest provider?
Only if the depth, verification and reporting meet your needs. A cheap test that misses access control flaws can be more expensive in the long run.
Do certifications matter?
Certifications like OSCP or CREST indicate baseline skills. Real-world track record, such as CVEs and bug bounty results, is often a stronger signal.
How do I compare quotes fairly?
Normalise by scope, depth, authenticated coverage, retesting and deliverables, not just price.