Penetration Testing Companies in the Netherlands
- Penetration testing is critical for Dutch businesses in 2025 due to GDPR and the upcoming NIS2 directive.
- DeepStrike leads the market with its expert-led approach and continuous testing platform.
- Other top firms include WebSec CCV/ISO-certified, Secura Bureau Veritas Cyber, Fox-IT NCC Group, Northwave, Securify, and more.
- Basic tests start around €5K, while comprehensive assessments for large enterprises can exceed €20K.
Penetration testing in the Netherlands has never been more critical for organizational resilience and regulatory compliance. As the Dutch digital economy, which accounts for approximately 6% of the national GDP, navigates an increasingly complex landscape of cyber threats and stringent regulations, the demand for expert-led offensive security services is surging. The Netherlands' cybersecurity market is projected to grow from €2.16 billion in 2024 to €3.27 billion by 2029, a clear indicator of the rising investment in proactive defense measures.
This urgency is driven by a confluence of powerful factors. Dutch businesses must perform regular security testing to comply with two key EU regulations: GDPR General Data Protection Regulation, which mandates robust data protection under Article 32, and the NIS2 Directive, which requires essential and important entities to conduct regular cyber risk assessments starting in 2025. Non-compliance carries the risk of substantial fines and reputational damage.
Simultaneously, the threat landscape has evolved with unprecedented speed. The average global cost of a data breach has reached $4.44 million in 2025, according to a recent IBM report. This financial risk, compounded by a 1,265% surge in AI-driven phishing attacks, makes proactive
penetration testing a critical investment for Dutch organizations. In this environment, organizations from healthcare and finance to technology startups must engage qualified pentesting partners not only to satisfy legal obligations but to safeguard their operations, data, and customer trust.
This guide provides a comprehensive analysis of the top penetration testing providers in the Netherlands for 2025. It details their specializations, certifications, and service models to help you make an informed decision. Furthermore, it offers a strategic framework for selecting the right partner to navigate the challenges of the modern digital ecosystem.
Penetration testing or pentesting is a proactive security assessment where certified ethical hackers simulate real cyberattacks on your systems to uncover vulnerabilities. Rather than relying solely on automated scans, penetration tests involve manual inspection of networks, web and mobile applications, cloud environments, and even employee security practices. The goal is to find the security holes that an attacker could exploit. Top industry guides like the OWASP Web Security Testing Guide and NIST SP 800-115 outline best practices for planning and conducting pentests. In short, a pentest goes beyond automated tools to deliver a hands-on, adversarial perspective on your security testing firewalls, authentication, business logic, and more before a real hacker does.
The cyber threat landscape is evolving rapidly. Recent reports highlight that global cybercrime costs top $10.5 trillion annually and companies face on average $4.88M per breach. Attackers now use AI to craft realistic phishing campaigns and automated exploits, with phishing attacks up by 1,265% due to generative AI. At the same time, regulations impose strict duty-of-care on organizations. Under GDPR Article 32, companies must implement appropriate security measures including regular testing of technical defenses. While GDPR doesn’t explicitly spell out penetration test, regulators expect documented testing of security controls. Similarly, the EU’s NIS2 directive transposed into Dutch law in 2025 requires covered entities to perform risk assessments and report major incidents. Penetration tests are a proven way to satisfy these obligations and to demonstrate to auditors and customers that you take security seriously.
In short, Dutch businesses today face higher stakes and tighter rules. Outsourcing pentesting is often more cost-effective than maintaining large in-house red teams. For example, industry data shows basic web-app pentests often start around the €5,000 range, while extensive network or red-team engagements can exceed €20,000. The return on investment is clear, finding and fixing flaws now can prevent breach costs, fines, and damage to brand reputation. To put numbers on it, IBM estimates the average breach now takes 11 months to detect and costs $4.88M.
Below we compare the leading penetration testing providers in the Netherlands, highlighting their specializations, certifications, and clientele. Each of these firms is well-regarded for expertise and quality of service, though their focus and pricing models vary.
Top Penetration Testing Companies in the Netherlands 2025
The following is a comparative analysis of the leading penetration testing providers serving the Dutch market. Each firm is evaluated based on its specializations, certifications, and service delivery model.
DeepStrike is our #1 pick for Dutch organizations in 2025. Founded by Khaled Hassan 2016, their ethos is simple, Hack you before real hackers do. DeepStrike pioneered Pentest as a Service PTaaS in the region, offering on-demand and continuous testing via their cloud dashboard. Clients get real-time findings, Slack/Jira integrations, and unlimited free retesting for 12 months.
- Expertise: DeepStrike’s testers are OSCP, OSWE, CISSP, and OSEP certified, with proven records in finding zero-days and reporting Hall of Fame vulnerabilities to Microsoft, Adobe, and Oracle. They consistently earn 5.0 Clutch ratings. Notable clients like Carta, Klook, and Mural highlight their ability to catch flaws that larger vendors missed.
- Services: Coverage spans network, cloud AWS/Azure/GCP, web and mobile applications, APIs, and social engineering. DeepStrike blends automated scanning with deep manual analysis to uncover OWASP Top 10 flaws, chained exploits, and complex business logic bypasses. Their red team services emulate real attackers, while the DeepStrike Dashboard ensures continuous visibility.
- Compliance: Reports are mapped to GDPR Article 32, ISO 27001 Annex A.8.8, PCI DSS 11.3, SOC 2, and DORA/TLPT scenarios. Attestation letters are designed for Dutch regulators and auditors, making them ideal for SMEs, fintechs, and enterprises preparing for NIS2.
- Case Example: In 2025, DeepStrike publicly demonstrated a HubSpot account takeover exploit, showing how a minor input flaw could grant total control over SaaS environments. This offensive-minded approach illustrates their ability to think like real attackers.
- Pricing: Two tiers keep it simple. Basic, a one-time pentest with fast kickoff 48 hours and 12-month retesting guarantee. Continuous, adds biannual full tests, weekly automated scans, dark web monitoring, and attack surface management. Transparent pricing starts in the mid-thousands of euros, aligned with EU market norms.
With its manual-first expertise, transparent pricing, and compliance-ready reporting, DeepStrike stands out as the clear #1 penetration testing company in the Netherlands.
WebSec B.V.
- WebSec is a large, independent Dutch security consultancy known for flexibility and breadth. It offers standard pentests web, mobile, network as well as red teaming, cloud security, IoT testing, and managed vulnerability scanning.
- WebSec is CCV Pentest v2.0 certified the official Dutch quality mark for penetration testers and holds ISO 27001/9001 certifications. In practice, this means WebSec follows rigorous processes and delivers high-quality reports suitable for compliance purposes.
- The company serves a wide range of clients from SMEs to enterprises, often bundling pentesting with security advice and staffing solutions. WebSec advertises a flexible and fast approach with diverse expertise on staff. Pricing is typically project-based.
- Many customers report transparent daily rates often €1,000–€1,500/day and fixed quotes for scoped engagements. In summary, WebSec is a solid choice for businesses that need an established Dutch firm with official credentials and broad technical coverage.
Secura Bureau Veritas Cybersecurity
- Secura, now part of Bureau Veritas Cybersecurity, is a well-known Dutch player specializing in high-assurance testing. It was the first Dutch firm to earn the CCV pentest certification, and its global parent Bureau Veritas brings international scale.
- Secura/BV Cyber offers penetration tests across web, network, IoT, ICS/SCADA systems, and mobile, plus risk assessments and compliance consulting. Their strength is a deep technical skillset in critical infrastructure, embedded devices, and regulatory compliance.
- Many clients are in finance, healthcare, and public sector industries with tough standards. The company also provides ISO 27001 audits and often ties pentesting into NIS2/GDPR advisory work.
- While Secura is reputable for thoroughness, their breadth can mean higher costs than niche outfits. Their focus is more on depth and process than on startups or rapid dev cycles.
Fox-IT NCC Group
- Fox-IT has long been a stalwart of Dutch cybersecurity and is now part of global NCC Group. It brings world-class expertise, especially in malware forensics, encryption, and nation-state defense.
- Fox-IT offers standard and advanced pentesting, from application and network tests to industrial control system assessments. It can perform very sophisticated red team exercises if needed.
- Their approach often uses a mix of automated scanning, custom exploit development, and autonomous tools, but with expert oversight.
- Fox-IT maintains high security clearances for some customers including the government, so their pricing tends to be on the premium side. But for organizations needing top-tier security analysis and incident response backup as part of NCC, they are a go-to.
Northwave
- Northwave, recently rebranded as Resilience, is a Dutch firm that blends consulting with hands-on security services. Its penetration testing group offers internal, external, wireless, and cloud tests, often tied to incident response and continuous monitoring services.
- They pride themselves on understanding business context and compliance. A key selling point is that Northwave has in-house SOC and threat intel teams, so pentesting can flow directly into detection and response improvements.
- According to industry profiles, Northwave provides holistic testing plus mitigation advice. They hold various certifications and cater to both local companies and larger enterprises.
- Pricing is moderate. Like others, they typically quote based on scope, but Northwave positions itself as a pragmatic partner not just technical hackers which can be attractive for risk-averse organizations.
Securify Secwatch
- Securify formerly SecWatch is a Dutch agency entirely devoted to penetration testing and red teaming. They emphasize volume and specialization, claiming 1500+ pentests performed to date about 100+ per year in sectors like government, finance, and telecom. All Securify testers hold at least CEH certification, often OSCP/OSCE/ECSA.
- They market a nitpicker’s pentest creative and persistent. Their process includes hands-on hacks and a guarantee that the client will fully understand each finding. Securify is CCV-accredited for penetration testing, reflecting a standardized methodology.
- They were one of the first accredited firms. On the downside, they are smaller than some others and mostly focus on testing no broader security services.
- Their pricing tends to be competitive for the Dutch market, typically daily-rate or per-project quotes making them a good choice for SMEs or NGOs who want rigor but may not afford a big consultancy.
Computest Security
- Computest is a trusted Dutch security testing firm known for innovation in testing tools. They specialize in Web, network, mobile, and API pentests, as well as vulnerability assessments. Computest explicitly targets modern development processes DevSecOps and agile companies.
- They invest in research releasing tools for XSS, token abuse, etc., so their teams often find subtle, creative flaws.
- Computest holds ISO 9001 and 27001 certifications, ensuring quality and info security standards. Clients span from startups to financial institutions. Pricing can be mid-range. They offer both project-based and some subscription models.
- Overall, Computest is a smart pick for companies especially in fintech or IT that want deep application testing combined with process integration.
Tesorion
- Tesorion is a Dutch IT security company focused on managed security that also provides pentesting and red teaming. They run an SOC/T-CERT, threat hunting, and 24/7 monitoring, which they bundle with testing services.
- Tesorion’s pentest team handles web, network, wireless, and social-engineering tests. According to industry reports, Tesorion is known for a practical, innovation-minded approach and often works with SMEs and mid-market clients.
- They emphasize continuous security improvement, for example, they might repeatedly test new features as they develop. Certifications include Offensive Security.
- Their senior testers are OSCP, OSWE, etc. and ISO/IEC 27001. Pricing is generally in line with mid-market firms. The value of Tesorion is a blend of lab-tested expertise and ongoing SOC support.
Cyver.io
- Cyver.io formerly Cyver Security operates as a Penetration Testing as a Service PTaaS platform based in the Netherlands. Instead of just point-in-time pentests, Cyver offers a subscription model with continuous scanning and expert follow-up. Clients can launch on-demand tests on web apps, networks, or APIs via Cyver’s portal, and integrate results into DevOps tools.
- The company advertises automated but human-reviewed testing for faster feedback loops. They also provide managed pentest engagements and bug bounty-styled tests.
- Cyver is CREST-accredited mostly for the international team and ISO 27001 certified, lending credibility to their automated approach. Costs are usage-based.
- They claim to scale from small businesses to larger firms. In short, Cyver appeals to tech companies comfortable with online platforms and needing ongoing testing rather than a one-off audit.
Zerocopter
- Zerocopter is a hybrid, a bug bounty platform based in Amsterdam with added pentesting services. They crowdsource security by tapping global freelance hackers, and also sell fixed-price test packages. For web and mobile apps.
- Zerocopter offers standard tests plus continuous security scanning. Clients like this for flexibility. However, it’s worth noting Zerocopter does not carry CCV certification, it uses an uncertified model relying on vetted researchers.
- This can raise consistency concerns for enterprises. Pricing is on the higher side, reports indicate about €175 per hour with no long-term contract, which can add up.
- Zerocopter’s strength is rapid deployment and a large talent pool. but organizations that need a formal engagement or local accountability may prefer more traditional firms.
Nixu DNV Cyber
- Nixu is a Finnish-origin security consultancy that merged into DNV Cyber in 2024. In the Netherlands it has a presence head office in Amsterdam, but its pentesting practice is relatively low-profile there.
- Nixu/DNV Cyber offers general services consulting, managed security, compliance and says it does penetration testing, but there is little public detail or Dutch-specific portfolio.
- Notably, Nixu does not hold the Dutch CCV pentest quality mark. Our research suggests Nixu’s Dutch branch is not focused on offensive R&D. it likely outsources to partners.
- We list it here mostly for completeness and because large international clients may request it, but companies in the Netherlands typically favor more specialized local firms or teams with demonstrable pentest track records.
A Strategic Framework for Choosing a Dutch Penetration Testing Partner
Selecting a penetration testing partner is a strategic decision that extends beyond a simple procurement process. The right partner acts as a trusted security advisor, delivering insights that strengthen your security posture, ensure compliance, and maximize your return on investment. Before evaluating specific vendors, it is crucial to understand the key criteria that differentiate a commoditized vulnerability scan from a high-value security assessment.
Decoding Certifications: Local vs Global Trust Marks
Certifications provide a baseline for quality and expertise. In the Dutch market, a combination of local and international credentials signals a well-rounded and credible provider.
- CCV Pentest Quality Mark: This is the official Dutch certification scheme managed by the Centre for Crime Prevention and Security (CCV) and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC). A CCV-certified firm has undergone a rigorous audit of its processes, tester qualifications, reporting standards, and data handling procedures. For organizations in the public sector or those needing to demonstrate compliance with Dutch regulatory standards, choosing a CCV-accredited partner like WebSec or Securify is often a prerequisite.
- CREST Accreditation: CREST is a globally recognized accreditation body that validates the capabilities of penetration testing companies. While less common in the Netherlands than the CCV mark, CREST accreditation is a strong indicator of adherence to international best practices in methodology, ethics, and security. It is particularly valuable for Dutch companies with a global presence or those reporting to international stakeholders.
- Individual Tester Certifications (OSCP, OSWE, OSEP): The value of a penetration test is ultimately determined by the skill of the individual tester. Certifications from Offensive Security, such as the Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP), are considered the gold standard for demonstrating practical, hands-on hacking abilities. Providers whose teams hold advanced credentials like OSWE (Web Expert) and OSEP (Exploitation Expert) are better equipped to find complex, chained vulnerabilities that automated tools miss. A high concentration of these certifications, as seen with firms like DeepStrike, is a direct proxy for technical excellence.
In 2025 and beyond, proactive pentesting is a must for Dutch organizations. The combination of strict regulations GDPR, NIS2 and sophisticated cyber threats means you cannot afford to overlook vulnerabilities. Choosing the right provider depends on your needs, DeepStrike leads with hands-on expertise and a continuous testing platform, while other top firms like WebSec, Secura BV Cyber, and Fox-IT bring scale and certifications. Smaller specialists like Securify or Computest may fit leaner budgets, and PTaaS options like Cyver.io suit DevOps-centric teams. Whichever you pick, ensure the testers have the right certifications OSCP, CREST, CCV, etc. and that the engagement covers all critical assets.
Ready to Strengthen Your Defenses? Don’t wait for an incident. Contact a qualified penetration testing firm today and demonstrate your commitment to cybersecurity.
About the Author
Mohammed Khalil is a Cybersecurity Architect at DeepStrike, specializing in advanced penetration testing and offensive security operations. He holds certifications including CISSP, OSCP, and OSWE, and has led red team engagements for Fortune 500 companies in finance, healthcare, and technology. Mohammed’s work focuses on cloud security, application vulnerabilities, and adversary emulation, helping organizations build resilient defenses against real-world threats.
The CCV pentest quality mark is a Dutch certification scheme run by the government CCV/NCSC. A CCV-certified pentesting company has demonstrated it follows strict rules on tester qualifications, reporting, data handling, and confidentiality. This ensures the test is done by qualified ethical hackers and the findings are reliable. For example, firms like WebSec and Secura are CCV-certified. Holding the CCV mark can be important if you want an official quality assurance on your pentesting.
Costs vary by scope. Small web-application tests often start around €5,000 for a basic automated scan plus manual review. A medium-scale internal or network test might be €10–15K. A full red team engagement for a large enterprise covering multiple apps, networks, endpoints, social engineering, etc. can easily exceed €20,000. Some firms like DeepStrike offer subscription models or agile pricing. Ultimately, pricing is driven by the number of systems, complexity, and methodology see next Q.
An external pentest simulates an outsider attacking your internet-facing assets e.g. website, firewall, VPN without any insider knowledge. In contrast, an internal pentest assumes the attacker already has some access inside your network like a trusted employee or breached desktop and then probes what they could do internally. Internal tests can reveal risks from insider threats or stolen credentials. In other words, external testing focuses on perimeter security, while internal testing focuses on internal network security.
CREST is a global accreditation body for penetration testing firms based in the UK but recognized internationally. A CREST-accredited company must pass rigorous audits and have testers with credentials like OSCP, OSCE, etc. In the Netherlands, CREST accreditation is less common, but it is a strong indicator of professionalism. Many Dutch pentesters are certified via the UK-based CREST or globally recognized eLearnSecurity/PwC courses. If a firm is CREST-accredited, it means they adhere to high technical and ethical standards similar in spirit to CCV in the Dutch market.
GDPR EU data protection law requires organizations to implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect personal data. Article 32 specifically calls for regular testing and evaluation of security measures. While GDPR doesn’t say you must pentest, doing penetration tests is the most thorough way to validate your security controls. By discovering and fixing flaws that automated scans miss, pentesting helps demonstrate data accountability. Companies should ideally pentest at least annually or after significant system changes. Regulators view regular pentesting as a sign that a company takes data protection seriously, which can mitigate fines in a breach.
- How often should we perform penetration testing?
Industry best practice is to conduct full penetration tests at least once a year, or whenever you launch a major new application or make big infrastructure changes. Many Dutch standards and private guidelines suggest annual testing for compliance for example, PCI DSS requires annual tests. Continuous testing models like DeepStrike’s Dashboard or bug-bounty programs are now popular, but even then, full manual reviews are often done biannually. In short, treat pentesting as an ongoing process, but ensure at least one deep, manual pentest annually.
- Which industries in the Netherlands need pentesting under NIS2?
NIS2 extends to many critical and digital sectors, think energy, transport, banking, healthcare, drinking water, ICT services, and even digital providers cloud services, online marketplaces, etc.. If you’re an important or essential entity, large company, or critical infrastructure in these areas, you’ll have a legal duty of care. In practice, this means you must perform risk assessments which include pentesting or vulnerability assessments to secure continuity of your services. Even smaller companies can be designated if they offer vital services. So in general, if you handle critical data or infrastructure in the Netherlands, assume that regular penetration tests will soon be mandatory under NIS2.
