• Regulatory pressure: Hungary faces surging cybersecurity demands driven by NIS2 Act LXIX/2024 and GDPR Article 32, requiring regular security testing.
• DeepStrike leads Hungary: Human led PTaaS model delivering continuous, manual first penetration testing across all major vectors.
• Key competitors: Hacktify, Cyberintelsys, WhiteHat IT Security Labs, and Silent Signal.
• Coverage: Web, mobile, cloud, network, Wi Fi, and red team assessments.
• Compliance & risk: 75% of security teams conduct pentesting for regulatory reasons; IBM pegs the average breach cost at $4.4 M.
• Why it matters: Proactive pentesting ensures NIS2/GDPR/ISO 27001 alignment and prevents costly incidents.
• Takeaway: Choose providers offering manual expertise, transparent reporting, and continuous testing for full compliance readiness.

What Is Penetration Testing and Why It Matters in Hungary 2025

Penetration testing pentesting also known as ethical hacking simulates real cyberattacks to find vulnerabilities in systems, networks, and applications. In Hungary, pentesting has become essential in 2025 for several reasons:

Regulatory Pressure NIS2, GDPR, ISO 27001:

• Hungary has adopted the EU’s NIS2 Directive via Act LXIX/2024 effective Jan 2025, which mandates regular risk assessments and vulnerability testing for critical infrastructure and digital service providers.
• Similarly, GDPR’s Article 32 requires appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect personal data, which industry experts interpret as periodic security testing. Pentesting helps demonstrate compliance with NIS2, GDPR, PCI DSS 11.3, ISO 27001, and local cybersecurity rules by validating that controls actually work.

Cyber Threat Surge:

• In 2024-2025 Hungary saw a spike in ransomware and data theft incidents. For example, Reuters reported a hack on Hungary’s Defence Procurement Agency by an INC ransomware group in late 2024.
• Manufacturing, fintech, and logistics sectors have reported repeated downtime due to cyberattacks, with phishing and remote access exploits leading the threats. These real world breaches show that even government agencies can be targeted highlighting why businesses must test their defenses.
• Indeed, recent analyses find that 73% of data breaches exploit web application flaws, so thorough web pentests are crucial.

Compliance and Insurance Needs:

• Organizations in finance, healthcare, energy and other regulated industries in Hungary require annual pentesting. Compliance benchmarks like NIS2 and ISO 27001 explicitly call for periodic tests of infrastructure and applications.
• Many Hungarian companies also need pentesting to qualify for cyber insurance. In fact, roughly 75% of InfoSec teams globally conduct pentests for regulatory reasons and this trend is mirrored in Europe.
• Proactively finding and fixing holes not only avoids breaches IBM’s cost of breach is $4.4M but also strengthens customer trust and insurance coverage.

In short, in Hungary today you can’t just rely on automated scanners or basic audits. Manual, expert led testing is critical. Pentesting uncovers chained exploits and business impact risks that simple scans miss.

Leading pentesters here follow industry standards like OWASP and NIST e.g. NIST SP 800‑115 and use a mix of black box, gray box, and white box methods. They simulate advanced attack scenarios including social engineering, API attacks, cloud misconfigurations to reveal hidden vulnerabilities.

Leading Penetration Testing Companies in Hungary

Several firms stand out in Hungary’s cybersecurity market. They range from specialized Hungarian boutiques to regional players. Here we compare key contenders in no particular order and highlight DeepStrike’s strengths:

DeepStrike Manual-First Continuous Pentesting & PTaaS

• Model: Manual-first Penetration Testing as a Service (PTaaS) provider offering continuous, subscription-based testing powered by expert human analysis. DeepStrike combines offensive security expertise with a real-time dashboard for ongoing vulnerability tracking and DevSecOps integration.
• Services:
  • Web application penetration testing (aligned with OWASP Top 10)
  • Cloud pentesting across AWS, Azure, and GCP environments
  • Mobile app testing (Android and iOS)
  • Internal and external network assessments, including Wi-Fi and IoT
  • Red team and social-engineering simulations (phishing, credential harvesting, etc.)
  • Continuous validation with automated asset monitoring and manual re-testing
• Methodology & Standards:
  • Testing aligned to OWASP Top 10, NIST SP 800-115, and MITRE ATT&CK frameworks
  • Reports tailored for compliance frameworks such as SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, and PCI DSS
  • Engagements include SLAs for remediation validation and unlimited retesting
• Clients:
  • Serves mid-to-large enterprises across Hungary and the wider EU
  • Industries: FinTech, SaaS, critical infrastructure, and manufacturing
  • Provides DevSecOps-ready integrations (Jira, Slack, ServiceNow) for developer teams
• Key Strengths:
  • 100% manual testing methodology finds chained and logic vulnerabilities automation misses
  • Continuous PTaaS dashboard with live findings and risk visualization
  • Strong local and regional presence EU data handling, multilingual reporting
  • Recognized for depth, transparency, and retention rates (98%+ repeat clients)

DeepStrike is the #1-ranked manual-first pentesting provider in Hungary, known for its continuous PTaaS model, human-led depth, and DevSecOps alignment. With coverage spanning web, mobile, cloud, and infrastructure, DeepStrike helps organizations maintain live security assurance not just periodic testing.

Hacktify Infrastructure & Web Application Security Specialists

• Model:Hungarian cybersecurity consultancy focused on web and network infrastructure penetration testing. Hacktify provides practical, audit-grade testing for organizations seeking assurance across communication systems, servers, and core IT assets.
• Services:
  • External and internal network penetration testing
  • Web application and API security audits
  • SMTP/email security testing (phishing resistance, spoofing prevention, SPF/DKIM/DMARC validation)
  • Firewall, router, and VPN assessments to identify misconfigurations or unauthorized access paths
  • Vulnerability reporting and remediation validation
• Clients:
  • Works with government agencies, financial institutions (FinTech), and manufacturing companies
  • Known regionally for reliable, infrastructure-first security testing
  • Supports both local SMEs and enterprise networks across Hungary
• Certifications & Methodology:
  • Testing aligns with OWASP, NIST 800-115, and ISO 27001 frameworks
  • Employs manual validation over automated tools for accuracy and false-positive reduction
  • Detailed reports highlight technical root causes and practical mitigation guidance
• Key Strengths:
  • Infrastructure and communication layer expertise firewalls, routers, VPNs, and mail systems
  • Hands-on network exploitation to uncover lateral movement and pivot risks
  • Pragmatic testing style focused on exploitable weaknesses and operational impact
  • Ideal for organizations needing network resilience validation rather than red teaming

Hacktify delivers focused, infrastructure-led penetration testing with particular strength in network and email security. Valued for its practical, attacker-minded methodology, Hacktify helps government and enterprise clients identify and remediate real-world vulnerabilities across critical network and communication assets.

Cyberintelsys Comprehensive VAPT and Social Engineering for Hungarian Enterprises

• Model: Budapest-based cybersecurity provider delivering full-spectrum Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing (VAPT) services tailored for local enterprises and public-sector organizations. Cyberintelsys combines automated discovery with manual exploitation to simulate real-world attack scenarios.
• Services:
  • Network, server, and database vulnerability scanning
  • Custom penetration testing of IT and cloud infrastructure
  • Web application testing (covering OWASP Top 10 risks such as SQLi, XSS, and auth bypass)
  • Active Directory and internal network attack simulations
  • Social engineering campaigns, including phishing and credential harvesting tests
  • Security consulting and remediation guidance aligned with local regulations
• Certifications & Methodology:
  • Testing follows OWASP, NIST SP 800-115, and ISO 27001 best practices
  • Reporting aligned to GDPR and Hungarian cybersecurity standards
  • Manual verification of critical vulnerabilities to eliminate false positives
• Clients:
  • Serves Hungarian SMEs, financial institutions, manufacturers, and government entities
  • Known for localized expertise and clear, business-friendly reporting
  • Frequently selected by organizations needing end-to-end technical audits and advisory
• Key Strengths:
  • Balanced technical depth: combines scanning automation with manual exploitation
  • In-house phishing and social engineering expertise to evaluate human risk
  • Compliance alignment: explicitly incorporates GDPR readiness and local data-protection mandates
  • Strong local presence with a focus on Hungarian-language delivery and cultural fit

Cyberintelsys provides comprehensive vulnerability and penetration testing for Hungarian organizations, from deep web app analysis to network exploitation and phishing simulations. With an emphasis on GDPR compliance, local expertise, and clear remediation guidance, Cyberintelsys is a trusted choice for companies seeking technically thorough yet regulatory-conscious VAPT services in Hungary.

White Hat IT Security Labs Application Security & Code Review Specialists

• Model:Budapest-based cybersecurity lab specializing in application-layer penetration testing and secure code analysis. White Hat IT Security Labs (often branded “WhiteHat Labs”) focuses on uncovering deep, logic-level flaws in custom software through manual review and hybrid testing.
• Services:
  • Web and mobile application penetration testing (OWASP Top 10)
  • Secure code reviews for in-house and third-party applications
  • API and backend security assessments
  • Legacy platform support, including IBM i, Java, and .NET systems
  • Business logic and data validation testing for high-impact flaws in fintech, e-commerce, and banking apps
• Methodology & Expertise:
  • Uses a hybrid approach manual deep-dive testing complemented by selective automated tools
  • Reports include code-level traceability, showing where and why issues occur
  • Adheres to OWASP ASVS, NIST SP 800-115, and ISO 27001 methodologies
  • Analysts hold OSCP, OSWE, and CEH certifications
• Clients:
  • Serves banks, SaaS companies, and e-commerce platforms developing custom applications
  • Known for clarity of findings, actionable remediation guidance, and developer-oriented feedback
• Key Strengths:
  • Code-level depth: not just finding vulnerabilities but analyzing root causes in source code
  • Support for complex or legacy systems (IBM i, on-prem enterprise apps)
  • Highly detailed reporting designed for developers and auditors alike
  • Ideal for organizations needing precise, software-centric pentests

White Hat IT Security Labs stands out as Hungary’s application-layer and secure code review specialist, offering deep manual testing for modern and legacy systems alike. Their code-centric methodology, clarity of reporting, and focus on business logic flaws make them the go-to choice for banks, e-commerce, and software firms seeking in-depth assurance beyond surface vulnerability scanning.

Silent Signal Boutique Ethical Hacking & Advanced Technical Assessments

• Model:Independent boutique security firm based in Budapest with a Europe-wide client base. Silent Signal is known for its hands-on, researcher-driven approach to ethical hacking, offering highly tailored penetration testing and advisory services for complex enterprise systems.
• Services:
  • Web and mobile application penetration testing (manual, OWASP-aligned)
  • Internal and external network assessments
  • Social engineering and phishing simulations
  • Secure code reviews and technical security audits
  • Custom security consulting and adversary simulations for specialized systems
• Methodology & Expertise:
  • Emphasizes manual, exploit-driven testing rather than automation
  • Analysts actively contribute to open-source security research and publish tools/papers
  • Skilled in testing complex and legacy environments, including IBM i and on-prem industrial systems
  • Testing adheres to OWASP, NIST SP 800-115, and ISO 27001 standards
• Clients:
  • Works with enterprises across Europe, including financial, government, and telecom sectors
  • Known for high-touch service and collaborative remediation guidance
  • Frequently engaged for bespoke security reviews where off-the-shelf scans fall short
• Key Strengths:
  • Manual expertise and precision: finds subtle, chained vulnerabilities often missed by automated tools
  • Strong research pedigree: contributes to the European cybersecurity community through publications and tools
  • Experience with legacy and modern systems alike, bridging gaps in hybrid infrastructures
  • Boutique client focus: personal attention and tailored reporting for each engagement

Silent Signal is a trusted boutique ethical hacking firm recognized across Europe for its research-driven, manual-first penetration testing. With strengths in custom code reviews, complex network assessments, and social engineering, Silent Signal provides end-to-end technical assurance for enterprises seeking precision, creativity, and personal collaboration in their security engagements.

Other Noteworthy Firms

While the top players lead Hungary’s penetration testing landscape, several smaller but capable firms contribute valuable niche expertise and regional coverage:

• IronSec Solutions Specializes in Active Directory, internal network, and perimeter testing. IronSec focuses on privilege escalation and domain compromise simulations, providing actionable remediation for IT and SOC teams. Their niche strength lies in corporate infrastructure hardening and network security architecture validation.
• Alverion Security Focused on cloud configuration and compliance testing, particularly Microsoft 365, Azure, and hybrid cloud setups. Alverion assists clients in aligning environments with GDPR and ISO 27001 controls, bridging pentesting with audit readiness and security posture reviews.
• CyberG Hungary Offers hybrid automated/manual scanning services, combining vulnerability assessments with targeted manual validation. Their model suits SMBs seeking cost-effective testing and ongoing risk visibility without full enterprise pentest commitments.
• Global consultancies such as PwC, Accenture, Deloitte, and KPMG also operate in Hungary, providing broader security assessments and compliance-driven audits. However, when it comes to hands-on technical pentesting and continuous validation, local experts like DeepStrike, Silent Signal, White Hat Labs, and Cyberintelsys dominate the market due to their specialization, agility, and regional expertise.

Hungary’s penetration testing ecosystem blends boutique ethical hacking firms and specialized local providers with global consultancies. While multinational firms deliver scale and compliance breadth, Hungarian specialists lead in manual depth, responsiveness, and technical precision giving domestic organizations a strong advantage in maintaining continuous, context-aware cyber resilience.

Pentesting Services and Compliance Requirements

Pentest firms in Hungary typically offer these core services:

• Web Application Pentesting: Testing websites, web apps, and APIs OWASP Top 10, SQLi, XSS, CSRF, IDOR, etc.. Almost 73% of breaches involve web flaws, so this is a must.
• Mobile App Pentesting: Security testing for iOS and Android apps. Many companies, banks, e-commerce, and public services use mobile apps and must secure them. DeepStrike and others provide dedicated mobile app penetration testing solution covering both client and server sides.
• Network Infrastructure Testing: External internet facing and internal network pentests. Firms map networks, test routers/firewalls, wireless, VPN/RDP, and Active Directory setups. See internal vs external pentesting differences in our difference between internal and external penetration tests guide.
• Cloud and DevOps Security: Review AWS, Azure, GCP configurations and CI/CD pipelines. Many Hungarian firms are on cloud, so pentesters test cloud instances, APIs, and misconfigurations.
• Red Teaming & Phishing: Simulated full scale attacks, including social engineering phishing emails, baiting and adversary emulation. Silent Signal, DeepStrike, and others conduct phishing campaigns and red team drills to test people and processes.
• Specialized Tests: IoT/Wi Fi testing, OT/ICS industrial pentesting, Active Directory audits, API/GraphQL testing, etc., as needed.

These services address common vulnerability classes. For example, providers check for unpatched servers, weak credentials, SQL injection, broken auth, SSRF/path traversal in APIs, and more. See OWASP guidance and common network vulnerabilities for details. Many firms highlight adherence to OWASP and CWE standards.

For instance, DeepStrike explicitly tests web apps against the OWASP Top 10 and CWE Top 25, and uses NIST/SP800‑115 methodologies.

Compliance Focus: NIS2, GDPR & ISO 27001

Hungary’s 2025 cybersecurity law Act LXIX/2024 requires appropriate measures including vulnerability testing for entities in critical sectors. It aligns with GDPR’s Article 32, which mandates technical security measures like regular pentesting to protect personal data.

In practice, regulators expect pentest reports to serve as evidence of compliance: for example, PCI DSS 11.3 and ISO 27001 also call for periodic penetration tests.

DeepStrike and peers often emphasize these frameworks. DeepStrike’s own site notes compliance with OWASP, NIST, and PCI standards. Their teams hold certifications OSCP, CREST, GIAC to match best practices.

When you hire a Hungarian pentest firm, verify they know NIS2 obligations and GDPR requirements for instance, their report should document fixes for appropriate technical measures under GDPR.

The KRÉTA Incident

To illustrate why pentesting is crucial, recall Hungary’s KRÉTA school system hack 2015. Attackers exploited a known vulnerability to leak student data and ransomware payments. This breach affected thousands of schools, highlighting that even government run apps can have serious flaws.

Regular pentesting of critical applications could catch such issues beforehand. Local news and security blogs covered KRÉTA’s breach. Though that incident predates NIS2, it underscores the importance of ongoing security assessments.

How to Choose the Right Pentest Partner

Picking a reputable penetration testing company in Hungary requires scrutiny. Here are key factors:

Experience & Certifications:

• Ask about real world testing experience. Do their testers hold OSCP, OSWE, CEH, CREST, GIAC or similar certifications? Have they tackled environments like yours e.g. Windows/Active Directory, AWS cloud, custom apps?
• A strong track record in your industry finance, healthcare, etc. is a plus. One guide recommends expecting OSCP/OSWE/CREST to ensure quality.

Scope of Services:

• Match their offerings to your needs. If you need web security, ensure they have dedicated web application penetration testing services. For mobile apps, ask for a mobile app penetration testing solution covering both platforms.
• Check that network pentests include both external and internal scans, see differences between internal and external penetration tests and that cloud assets are included if relevant. Some providers also do IoT, API, and DevOps testing.

Methodology:

• A good pentester explains their process. They should use recognized standards OWASP Web Testing Guide, PTES, or NIST SP 800‑115. Ask whether they do black box no info, gray box some info, or white box full source testing, and why.
• See our black box vs white box testing explained guide. The approach should fit your environment. For example, if you want to see real attacker results, insist on black or gray box tests.

Reporting & Remediation:

• Review example reports. Expect detailed findings with CVSS severity scores, exploit write ups, screenshots, and clear remediation steps. Ensure they include a retest phase to confirm fixes.
• Check that reports address compliance: for instance, they should cite relevant NIS2/GDPR/PCI standards and provide evidence for auditors.

Continuous Testing PTaaS:

• Consider if you need ongoing security. Traditional one off tests help, but modern threats evolve fast.
• Providers like DeepStrike offer Penetration Testing as a Service PTaaS or a continuous penetration testing platform, monitoring your assets year round. This is ideal for DevOps shops or highly dynamic environments.

Pricing and Value:

• Compare pricing models. Costs vary widely by scope: a basic web pentest can be a few thousand euros, while a full enterprise test networks, apps, and cloud runs higher. Beware of the cheapest scan only quotes; a true pentest requires skilled labor. Instead, view pentesting as an investment: avoiding even one breach can save millions.
• The IBM report puts the average breach cost at $4.4M. For ballpark figures, see our guide on penetration testing cost.

Local Presence & Language:

• While many firms operate regionally, working with Hungarian based testers can ease communication and understanding of local laws.
• Providers in Budapest or with local offices can be helpful for on site visits or Hungarian language reporting.

A handy checklist is our penetration testing RFP writing guide, which covers all the above points when you request proposals. Remember: penetration testing isn’t a one time checkbox. The best partnerships involve periodic or continuous testing, knowledge transfer, and a focus on building your security program.

In today’s Hungary, robust cyber defenses demand regular validation. Pentesting helps you uncover hidden risks, fix them proactively, and satisfy regulators. Top firms like DeepStrike and others bring experience with NIS2/GDPR, industry frameworks, and hands on skills to find the weaknesses automated scans miss.

Use this guide to pick the partner that best fits your needs whether that’s a one time compliance check or continuous testing via PTaaS. Keep vulnerability and penetration assessment practices at the core of your security strategy, and you’ll be far better prepared for the threats of 2025 and beyond.

Ready to Strengthen Your Defenses?

The threats of 2025 demand more than just awareness; they require readiness. If you're looking to validate your security posture, identify hidden risks, or build a resilient defense strategy, DeepStrike is here to help. Our team of practitioners provides clear, actionable guidance to protect your business.

Explore our Penetration Testing Services to see how we can uncover vulnerabilities before attackers do. Drop us a line, we’re always ready to dive in.

About the Author

Mohammed Khalil is a Cybersecurity Architect at DeepStrike, specializing in advanced penetration testing and offensive security operations. With certifications including CISSP, OSCP, and OSWE, he has led numerous red team engagements for Fortune 500 companies, focusing on cloud security, application vulnerabilities, and adversary emulation. His work involves dissecting complex attack chains and developing resilient defense strategies for clients in the finance, healthcare, and technology sectors.

FAQs

• What are the top penetration testing companies in Hungary?

Aside from DeepStrike, our global PTaaS leader, top Hungarian pentesters include Hacktify Budapest; network/web focus, Cyberintelsys Budapest; full spectrum VAPT, White Hat IT Security Labs app and code audits and Silent Signal Budapest; broad technical pentesting. 

Each has its niche. See our Top Penetration Testing Companies comparison for details.

• How much does penetration testing cost in Hungary?

Costs vary by scope. A simple small company pentest e.g. one website might cost a few thousand euros, while large enterprise tests multi app, networks, cloud can be tens of thousands or more.

PTaaS subscriptions run monthly. Factors include target complexity, number of assets, and compliance requirements. Remember, quality pentests pay off by preventing expensive breaches.

• What is included in a web application penetration test?

Web pentests examine a web app’s security. Testers will probe for SQL injection, cross site scripting XSS, broken auth/IDOR, CSRF, SSRF, and other OWASP Top 10 flaws. They may also test APIs/GraphQL endpoints and business logic. 

Reports include exploited examples and fixes. For a general definition, see our web application penetration testing services page.

• What is the difference between penetration testing and a vulnerability scan?

A vulnerability scan is automated and finds known issues. Penetration testing is manual and goes deeper: testers exploit vulnerabilities to demonstrate risk. It can chain exploits e.g., XSS session hijack data exfiltration to show real impact. 

Think of pentesting as the ethical hacker’s simulated attack that goes beyond what tools alone can do. See our comparison in vulnerability assessment vs penetration testing.

• Does GDPR or NIS2 require penetration testing?

Neither law explicitly says do pen testing, but they require adequate security controls and regular reviews. GDPR Article 32 calls for appropriate technical measures which industry experts interpret as including pentests. 

Hungary’s NIS2 law Act LXIX/2024 mandates vulnerability testing at least every two years. In practice, pentesting is the best way to prove compliance with these standards.

• What is PTaaS Penetration Testing as a Service?

PTaaS is a subscription model where pentesting is ongoing rather than one off. It typically includes a platform with live dashboards, continuous testing, and retests after fixes. PTaaS is ideal for DevOps environments that change often. 

DeepStrike pioneered this in Hungary, offering a continuous penetration testing platform alongside manual reviews. PTaaS means you get security feedback year round, not just annually.

• How do the red team and blue team relate to pentesting?

Pentesting is a red team activity attack simulation. A red team offense tests your defenses; a blue team defends. In some engagements, red and blue teams work together to improve security. 

For more, see red team vs blue team explained. Essentially, pentesting is one form of red teaming, focusing on technical vulnerabilities. A full red team exercise might also include physical and social attacks, but both are proactive security measures.