- What it is: DeepStrike delivers enterprise-grade, manual penetration testing through a modern PTaaS Pentest-as-a-Service platform.
- Human-led expertise: Tests are performed by OSCP/GXPN-certified experts, simulating real-world attacks to uncover vulnerabilities scanners miss.
- Scope & coverage: Web, mobile, cloud AWS/Azure/GCP, network, APIs, and social engineering assessments.
- Platform benefits:
- Unlimited retesting for 12 months
- 48-hour onboarding for rapid start
- Real-time dashboard with Slack/Jira integration for seamless collaboration
- Compliance ready: Reports align with SOC 2, PCI DSS, ISO 27001, and HIPAA frameworks simplifying audits and certifications.
- ROI insight: Average breach cost: $4.4M vs pentest cost: $25K yielding measurable risk reduction and financial return.
- Proven results: DeepStrike has identified critical flaws missed by competitors, from broken business logic to user phishing exposure.
- Key takeaway: Transparent pricing, elite expertise, and continuous validation make DeepStrike the top enterprise choice for modern penetration testing.
Penetration testing is no longer optional for enterprises; it's a core security practice. Attacks are getting smarter AI driven zero days, etc. and compliance mandates PCI DSS, SOC 2, HIPAA expect regular testing. A pentest mimics real hackers to validate your defenses, offering actionable results far beyond what automated scans can achieve.
In fact, the average breach now costs $4.4M, whereas a thorough pentest is just a fraction of that. DeepStrike’s enterprise penetration testing combines manual expertise with a modern PTaaS platform to maximize security and ROI.
Enterprises manage complex, high value assets: web portals, mobile apps, cloud infrastructure AWS/Azure/GCP , APIs, internal networks, and even people. Each is a potential entry point for attackers. Penetration testing proactively discovers where an attacker would strike, giving you a head start on defense.
By exploiting vulnerabilities in a controlled setting, pen tests prove which flaws lead to data exposure. For example, an automated scan may flag SQL injection possible, but a manual pentester will actually launch the injection to show what data can be stolen. This depth of testing ensures you prioritize fixes that stop real attacks, not just benign alerts.
Regulatory frameworks underline pentesting’s importance. PCI DSS, for example, explicitly mandates annual external and internal tests for cardholder systems. SOC 2 and HIPAA auditors expect evidence of ongoing security validation Control Criteria CC4.1 and CC7.1 .
In practice, enterprises typically schedule at least annual penetration tests and after any major system change. Yet a single annual test isn’t enough in fast moving DevOps cycles; new features can introduce holes overnight.
That’s why continuous testing often via PTaaS is increasingly adopted for mission critical SaaS and cloud environments. Gartner and Forrester note that modern cybersecurity programs now integrate PTaaS platforms for on demand testing with real time results.
Moreover, breaches are overwhelmingly costly. According to IBM, the global average breach loss hit $4.44M in 2025. Verizon reports 60% of breaches involve social engineering, while 34% exploit known vulnerabilities. CISA’s KEV database shows attackers actively weaponize disclosed bugs.
These stats underscore the need for expert pentesters who hunt beyond automated detections. A skilled pentest not only uncovers new flaws, broken authentication, business logic errors, etc. but also verifies existing patches. Think of a vulnerability scan as identifying a locked door; penetration testing is actually trying to open that door and see what’s inside.
Key Enterprise Pentesting Facts | Statistics |
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Average cost of a data breach global | $4.44 million |
% of breaches involving human/social factors | 60% |
Critical web app vulnerabilities 150% in 2024 YOY | Yes |
Growth of pentesting market 2024- 2029 | $1.7B- $3.9B CAGR 17.1% |
Required tests: PCI DSS annual , SOC 2 assessed | Yes |
DeepStrike specializes in Pentest as a Service PTaaS for enterprises. This means you get expert human testing plus a cloud based dashboard and service model. Key differentiators:
- Human Led, Manual Testing:
- DeepStrike’s team conducts 100% manual penetration testing, emulating real attackers.
- They bypass automated only approaches and chain exploits to uncover deep issues.
- The team holds leading certifications OSCP, GXPN, etc. and has Fortune 500 Hall of Fame accolades.
- Unlike consultants that rely on scripts, DeepStrike’s ethical hackers manually explore every angle, web logic flaws, API misuse, cloud misconfigurations, wireless access, etc. to ensure no vulnerability is missed.
- Comprehensive Scope Web, Mobile, Cloud, API, Internal, Social, Red Team :
- Enterprises often have varied assets. DeepStrike tests them all.
- They offer web application pentesting, mobile app pentesting, API and cloud pentesting AWS, Azure, GCP , internal network tests, plus social engineering and full red team simulations.
- For each, DeepStrike maps assessments to frameworks like OWASP, NIST 800 115, and MITRE ATT&CK.
- For example, their Web App Pentesting ensures OWASP Top 10 coverage, while Cloud tests verify AWS/Azure/GCP configurations.
- This one stop shop approach means your enterprise can rely on one vendor for all pentesting needs, with reports tailored to each asset class.
- Real Time PTaaS Dashboard & Integrations:
- DeepStrike’s platform provides a live dashboard of results. As testers find issues, clients see them instantly, not just at the final report.
- There are integrations with Slack, Jira/ServiceNow, etc., enabling constant collaboration.
- Every customer gets a shared Slack channel with the pentest team.
- Developers can ask questions mid test and get quick responses, speeding remediation.
- Meanwhile, findings can be automatically sent to your issue tracker for follow up. This continuous feedback loop often cuts fix times dramatically.
- Unlimited Retesting 12 months :
- A major pain point for enterprises is verifying fixes.
- DeepStrike uniquely offers free unlimited retesting for one year after each test.
- If you patch a bug anytime in the following 12 months, DeepStrike will reassess that issue at no extra charge, updating your report and compliance status.
- This policy removes risky trade offs where teams rush or delay fixes.
- As one client noted, We fixed code on our own schedule and DeepStrike re-checked it with no extra invoices.
- In contrast, most vendors allow only one retest or charge hefty fees for additional validation.
- With DeepStrike, you get an annual pentest plus as many validation checks as needed for true ROI.
- Fast Onboarding & Pricing Transparency:
- DeepStrike understands enterprise timelines. They often schedule tests within 24- 72 hours of request especially for existing clients .
- The pricing is fully transparent: for example, a one off pentest starts around $5K, with clear tier options.
- The Basic plan kicks off in 48 hours and includes all key deliverables see below .
- The Premium plan adds continuous security testing testing new features/APIs as they deploy .
- Because pricing is public and tiered, enterprises can budget confidently.
- Importantly, annual subscription packages include benefits like unlimited retests and ongoing support, often costing less than piecemeal ad hoc tests elsewhere.
- Compliance Ready Reporting:
- DeepStrike’s deliverables align with industry standards.
- Every pentest report is formatted to satisfy auditors for SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, PCI DSS 11.3, FedRAMP, etc..
- They provide CVSS ranked findings with evidence screenshots, exploit details and custom remediation guidance.
- For SOC 2 and other audits, DeepStrike even supplies an attestation letter confirming completion.
- DeepStrike clients report that auditors trust these reports because they clearly map findings to control criteria.
- If you need specialized mapping e.g. PCI CDE, NIST CSF controls , the team can include those references.
- In short, DeepStrike removes the compliance guesswork: a pentest from them helps you prove your controls meet audit requirements.
- Support & Expertise:
- After the test, the team stays engaged. DeepStrike offers a technical debrief call to walk through findings.
- They validate patches via the unlimited retest and can provide snapshots of remediation progress.
- Clients often praise the above and beyond support: whether it’s answering a late night question or re testing ahead of a compliance deadline, DeepStrike acts as a partner, not just a report vendor.
DeepStrike vs Major Pentest Vendors
Choosing the right pentest provider is critical. DeepStrike stands out by combining expert manual testing with a modern PTaaS model, unlimited retests, and transparent pricing. The table below summarizes how DeepStrike compares to other leading providers on key attributes:
Attribute | DeepStrike PTaaS | Rapid7 Insight | Synack PTaaS | Cobalt PTaaS |
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Approach & Scope | Human led manual pentests web, mobile, cloud, network, APIs, social . Fast onboarding often days . Certified testers. | Consulting firm + security platform. Broad services networks, apps, IoT, Red Team . Mix of on site and remote tests. | Crowd of vetted pentesters via platform. Focus on external apps/APIs. Continuous attack surface monitoring. | Platform plus vetted testers. Focus on apps & network. Quick launch of tests 24- 72h . |
Pricing Model | Transparent fixed packages one off vs annual . Entry level tests from $5K. Annual plans bundle unlimited retests. | Quote based. Typically $10K- $50K+ per engagement. Pricing details often custom. Bundle with other Rapid7 products available. | Subscription: platform + credits. Mid size programs $60K+/year credits for tests . | Subscription with credits 1 credit ≈ 1 hour . Basic pentest $8- 10K. Monthly plans $2.5K+. |
Retesting Support | Unlimited free retests for 12 months. Report is updated as fixes are verified. | Typically 1 free retest cycle. Additional retests usually require new engagement or contract. | As long as subscription/credits remain, tests including retests can be scheduled. No fixed limit subject to credits . | Standard: 6 month retest window unlimited iterations . Premium: up to 12 months retesting. |
Compliance Ready | Reports mapped to SOC 2, PCI DSS, HIPAA, ISO 27001, GDPR, etc. Free attestation letters included. | ISO 27001 & SOC2 certified services. Offers PCI specific pentests and attestations on request. | FedRAMP Moderate authorized infrastructure. Findings mapped to PCI, NIST, OWASP. Continuous testing aids ongoing compliance. | Alignment to standards OWASP, PCI checklists . Attestation letter with each test. Vulnerability disclosure programs available. |
Platform & Reporting | Real time dashboard + instant findings. Slack/Jira integration. Detailed PDF report with executive summary and custom remediation. | Insight platform for interactive results and dashboards. Formal report with CVSS scores. Strong recommendations. | Synack Portal provides live validated vulnerabilities. Final report consolidates findings. Communication primarily via platform. | PTaaS portal with live updates. Offers Slack integration and Jira/Ticketing support. Final report and remediation guidance. |
Each vendor has strengths, but DeepStrike’s combination of unlimited retesting, transparent pricing, audit ready reports, and fast delivery is unique. Enterprises value the predictability and ROI this brings you pay once for ongoing assurance.
Real World Enterprise Pentest Examples
- Web Application Test SaaS Platform
- A large enterprise SaaS provider engaged DeepStrike to test their multi-tenant web dashboard.
- DeepStrike’s team identified a critical access control flaw in the multi-tenancy logic: one customer could elevate privileges and view another’s data.
- This business logic issue was undetected by automated scans.
- With detailed exploit proof of concept in hand, the client immediately fixed the flaw across all deployments.
- The pentest report mapped to OWASP/CWE later served as compliance evidence for SOC 2.
- Internal Network Test Corporate LAN
- An international company asked DeepStrike to audit its internal network after a simulated phishing compromise. DeepStrike’s testers used the compromised account to pivot.
- They discovered a misconfigured Active Directory trust that allowed lateral movement to the finance network, along with weak service account passwords on key servers.
- These gaps could have led to massive data exfiltration. DeepStrike’s step by step findings including screenshots of escalation and evidence helped the IT team secure the AD trust and enforce stronger credentials, greatly reducing insider risk.
- Social Engineering & Red Team Exercise
- In one engagement, DeepStrike ran a targeted phishing campaign within an enterprise. About 30% of employees clicked a malicious link consistent with industry phishing stats .
- One incident responded to revealed an employee gave away VPN credentials. Simultaneously, the test included USB baiting and a physical access attempt all to validate human and physical defenses.
- The comprehensive red team report highlighted these social engineering findings along with technical exploits, giving leadership clear insight into training gaps and security control blind spots.
These examples show DeepStrike’s depth: web logic flaws, network misconfigurations, and human factors. Each report came with prioritized remediations and integration into the client’s issue trackers, ensuring the fixes were applied quickly. The result: immediate risk reduction and compliance documentation.
How to Plan Your Enterprise Pentest: A Checklist
- Define Objectives & Scope: Identify why you’re testing compliance, breach prevention, new feature release and what to test web apps, APIs, cloud configs, networks, social engineering, etc. . Align scope with upcoming audits e.g. SOC 2 trust criteria, PCI DSS requirements .
- Assemble Stakeholders: Get security, IT, legal, and developers aligned. Review any sensitive assets needing special care e.g. production data . Establish Rules of Engagement: test hours, tolerance for disruption, and point of contact.
- Gather Information: Provide the testers with necessary documentation: network diagrams, architecture docs, data flow diagrams, credentials or API tokens for authenticated testing if doing white/grey box . The more info shared, the more value testers deliver.
- Schedule & Prepare: Pick a testing window avoid peak business periods or critical launches . Backup systems if needed. Whitelist tester IPs or coordinate with firewall admins in advance.
- Test Execution: Let the DeepStrike team perform reconnaissance, scanning, exploitation, and reporting using manual techniques and frameworks OWASP, NIST 800 115, etc. . Monitor their real time dashboard and communication channel Slack for quick clarifications.
- Review Findings: After the pentest, go through the report carefully. Confirm the critical findings are understood. Use the report’s evidence to replicate issues internally if needed.
- Remediate & Retest: Prioritize fixes by risk. As you patch each issue, DeepStrike will retest it under the unlimited retesting policy. Obtain updated proof and revised report for compliance audit evidence.
- Integrate Improvements: Incorporate learnings into development and operations. Update your secure SDLC processes, training, and detection tools based on what the pentest revealed e.g. strengthen incident response if testers quietly moved through systems .
Following this checklist ensures your enterprise gains maximum benefit from penetration testing not just a report, but a robust security improvement cycle.
Ready to Fortify Your Enterprise?DeepStrike’s expert team is on standby to launch your pentest in days. Enjoy unlimited free retesting and a PTaaS dashboard for continuous visibility.
Drop us a line today, and experience how DeepStrike delivers unmatched security and compliance assurance.
Author Bio
Mohammed Khalil is a Cybersecurity Architect at DeepStrike with over a decade of experience in offensive security and enterprise penetration testing. He leads DeepStrike’s technical strategy, holds certifications like OSCP and CISSP, and has presented at major InfoSec conferences. Mohammed specializes in compliance driven security programs SOC 2, PCI DSS, HIPAA and regularly publishes research on advanced pentesting methodologies.
- What’s the difference between a vulnerability assessment and a penetration test?
- A vulnerability assessment is an automated scan that identifies and lists potential issues, providing broad coverage.
- A penetration test is a deeper, manual process where experts actively exploit vulnerabilities to prove real risk and business impact.
- In short, assessments reveal weak doors; pentests try to walk through them and see what can be reached.
- How often should our enterprise perform penetration tests?
- At minimum, many standards require annual tests PCI DSS, for example, mandates yearly tests plus after major changes .
- SOC 2 and HIPAA audits expect regular testing as evidence of control effectiveness.
- Practically, large organizations often test after any significant system update and maintain continuous testing programs to reduce risk between audits.
- What are SOC 2 penetration testing requirements?
- SOC 2 Security Trust Criteria doesn’t explicitly mandate pentests, but it strongly expects them as proof of control monitoring.
- Pentests address SOC 2 CC4.1 Monitoring and CC7.1 Vulnerability Management by separately evaluating security controls and validating their effectiveness.
- In short, auditors assume you conduct pentests at least annually Type I and Type II audits and document remediation, even if SOC 2 rules don’t spell it out.
- DeepStrike’s SOC 2 guide shows how pentests support these criteria.
- What is PTaaS and how does it benefit enterprises?
- PTaaS stands for Penetration Testing as a Service. It means you get the thoroughness of manual pentesting delivered via a service platform.
- Benefits include continuous engagement tests on demand or as code changes , a collaborative dashboard real time results , and integrated workflows Slack/Jira .
- According to DeepStrike, PTaaS combines live results with expert analysis for the best of both worlds.
- For enterprises, PTaaS offers speed, transparency, and the ability to manage security testing like any other SaaS service.
- How much does an enterprise penetration test or red team cost?
- Costs vary by scope. A quality penetration test typically starts around $25,000 for an external network or app test.
- More complex engagements internal networks, wireless, multiple apps run higher.
- Red Team exercises, which simulate broad advanced attacks, start around $40,000 and go up with duration and scope. These figures are ballpark; DeepStrike’s transparent packages begin around $5K for basic one off tests, scaling up for full programs. The key is ROI: catching one critical flaw easily justifies the expense.
- Why do pentesters need certifications like OSCP?
- Certifications OSCP, GXPN, etc. demonstrate a pentester’s technical skill and commitment.
- For example, the OSCP Offensive Security Certified Professional requires demonstrating real hacking abilities under time constraints.
- DeepStrike recommends looking for teams with OSCP, CREST, GIAC, or similar qualifications.
- This helps ensure the testers know the latest techniques and can creatively exploit vulnerabilities, rather than just run automated tools.