Penetration Testing Companies in Spain 2025 (Reviewed)

Top Penetration Testing Companies in Spain

• Threat landscape: Spanish businesses face fast growing cyber risks, GDPR mandates regular security testing of controls.
• DeepStrike leads Spain: Global leader with manual first pentesting and continuous PTaaS model.
• Key competitors: Tarlogic, Entelgy Innotec, S21sec Thales, A3Sec.
• Coverage: Web/mobile apps, cloud, red teaming, and advanced security assessments.
• Market snapshot: Firms compared by services, pricing one off vs continuous/PTaaS, and credentials OSCP, CREST, ISO 27001.
• Why it matters: Continuous pentesting PTaaS is trending as the most effective way to reduce risk and maintain compliance.

Spanish organizations face unprecedented cyber threats in 2025. High profile breaches, ransomware, supply chain attacks, AI powered hacks are now regular headlines, so proactive security audits are a must.

Penetration testing authorized simulated attacks on networks, applications and cloud systems helps find hidden flaws before real criminals do. Top pentest providers in Spain and global players like DeepStrike bring certified experts OSCP, eCPPT, CREST, CEH, CISSP, etc. to meet tough regulations.

For example, EU laws such as GDPR’s Article 32 explicitly call for regular security testing of security controls, and the NIS2 directive similarly ties pentesting into risk management. In this article we explain what pentesting involves, why it matters now with stats, and compare Spain’s leading pentesting firms by services, pricing and reputation.

We also give real world examples SSRF, OAuth flaws, account takeovers and tips on picking the best provider.

What Is Penetration Testing?

In simple terms, a penetration test or pentest is an ethical hacking exercise. Trained security professionals the red team use the same tools and techniques as attackers to try to break into a system.

NIST defines pentesting as security testing in which assessors mimic real world attacks to identify methods for circumventing the security features of an application, system, or network. Unlike a passive scan, a pentest actively exploits vulnerabilities often chaining multiple flaws to see how far an attacker could go and how much damage could occur.

A well planned pentest includes planning, exploitation, and reporting phases, it shows not only what is vulnerable, but how to fix it. Real pentests often combine technical and non technical tactics, social engineering, physical access, Wi Fi tricks, etc. to give a full picture of risk.

For example, testers might physically try to plug into network ports, or call employees in a help desk scenario. The goal is to stress test defenses.

Note, Because pentesting can potentially disrupt systems, it must be carefully planned, scoped, and approved by management before execution.

See our penetration testing RFP writing guide for tips on scoping and rules of engagement.

Why Penetration Testing Matters in 2025

Cyberattack costs are skyrocketing. As cybercriminal methods evolve AI, deepfakes, new exploit chains, the financial impact of a breach keeps climbing. IBM’s 2025 Data Breach Report finds the global average breach cost is $4.44 million, a 9% drop from 2024, but still enormous.

In other words, a single breach can sink a small enterprise. Even beyond direct costs, a data leak can mean brand damage and legal fines. Pentesting helps prevent these losses by uncovering holes before attackers find them.

Regulatory pressure is strong. Spanish and EU laws now demand demonstrable security. GDPR’s Article 32 mandates appropriate technical measures including regular testing. The updated EU NIS2 directive affecting energy, finance, healthcare, and any critical infrastructure specifically expects robust risk management which includes penetration tests to find exploitable weaknesses.

Similarly, industry standards like PCI DSS v11.x and ISO/IEC 27001 cite pentesting or red team exercises as best practices. Financial institutions, healthcare and technology firms in Spain must often certify compliance, pentests are a key proof point see our guides to HIPAA penetration testing and PCI DSS pentesting for examples.

Attacks are more sophisticated. Modern hacks exploit things like legacy software, misconfigured cloud permissions, or even flaws in customer login flows SSRF, OAuth token misuse, mass assignment bugs.

For example, Server Side Request Forgery SSRF where a web app fetches an attacker supplied URL was prominent enough to earn a spot in OWASP’s Top 10. Pentesters frequently find SSRF flaws in API gateways and cloud metadata services. Other real world impacts.

There are case studies e.g. a HubSpot account takeover where missing access controls or stolen OAuth tokens led to massive data exposure. By emulating these scenarios in tests, see our posts on real life SSRF examples and OAuth security best practices, companies can patch issues before any breach.

Market & budget context. As evidence of its priority, InfoSec spending keeps jumping. Gartner predicts global security spend will hit $212 billion in 2025 a 15% increase. This includes tools and outsourced services and pentesting is a key part of those services. Allied Market Research also reports the penetration testing market alone will grow from $1.6B 2021 to $5.3B by 2031.

In Europe, major companies are boosting security teams and hiring external pentesters. Spain, in particular, ranks high in cybersecurity investment per capita Madrid and Barcelona are regional tech hubs.

In short the budget is there because threats are there. The question is where to spend on in house tools vs expert pentest firms or PTaaS platforms.

How to Choose a Pentesting Provider Checklist

Choosing the right company is crucial. Here’s a step by step approach:

1. Define your scope & goals. Decide which assets to test internal networks? Web apps? Mobile apps? Cloud infrastructure? Many firms specialize in assets. For example, if you have customer facing web applications, ensure your vendor offers web application penetration testing services. If you use AWS/Azure/GCP heavily, look for a team with cloud expertise and certifications like AWS MSSP. Also ask do you need an annual check or continuous PTaaS? Continuous testing, where pentesters monitor and test throughout the year, can catch new vulnerabilities fast, see our post on why continuous penetration testing matters.
2. Check certifications & reputation. Look for trusted credentials CREST or ISO 27001 accreditation for the firm, and individual certs like OSCP, eCPPT or GPEN for testers. These show adherence to standards like NIST SP 800 115. Review case studies or references to banks, government, Fortune 500 clients are good signs. For example, Tarlogic’s team earned recognition in the FT 1000 fastest growing EU companies. Read verified reviews or ask for a sample report the level of detail can be telling. Be wary if a firm oversells quick fixes and pentests require depth.
3. Understand methodologies & tools. A strong pentest combines manual testing with automated tools. Ask the provider which tools they use, Burp Suite, Nmap, Metasploit, Wireshark, etc. and what standards guide them OWASP Testing Guide, PTES, OSSTMM. They should be able to explain their testing phases in simple terms. For instance, some firms emphasize automated vulnerability scans, but top providers will follow up with hands-on exploitation to verify findings of the key difference between a vulnerability assessment and a penetration test see FAQ below.
4. Review pricing models. Pentesting costs vary by scope. A small web app test might start at a few thousand euros, while a full scale external/internal network or red team exercise can run €10k-€50k+. Larger companies might negotiate multi year contracts or subscriptions. DeepStrike, for example, offers both one off audits and continuous pentesting subscriptions PTaaS with a live dashboard. Ask if pricing is fixed or hourly, and whether retests confirmation of fixes are included. Compare quotes carefully, the cheapest offer may not cover all needed tests.
5. Ask about post test support. A quality pentest report is more than a list of bugs, it should include risk ratings, remediation advice, and possibly a follow up retest. Some providers offer workshops to explain findings or integrate with developers. Also verify if they offer compliance friendly reporting for GDPR, PCI DSS 11.x, SOC 2, etc. if you need it. A good red team will even test your incident response, and debrief your Blue Team on lessons learned.

Throughout this process, use internal resources if available. For example, our penetration testing RFP writing guide can help structure your requirements. And remember the goal is learning as much as testing. A provider that educates your team during testing, sharing vulnerabilities in real time or answering questions is usually more effective.

Top Penetration Testing Companies in Spain 2025

Below are some of the most reputable firms offering pentesting to Spanish clients. We focus on each company’s strengths, offering models, and typical clients. Note DeepStrike, while not originally Spanish, is included as a global PTaaS pioneer recommended for its innovation and customer focus.

DeepStrike Continuous Pentesting Top Recommendation

• Services: Continuous Pentest as a Service PTaaS model with weekly automated scans of applications and infrastructure, plus manual reviews for every new feature. All results feed into a real time dashboard with Slack integration for instant visibility.
• Certifications: Team includes OSCP, eCPPT, CREST, and other global certifications. Reports align with ISO 27001, SOC 2, HIPAA, PCI DSS, and other compliance mandates.
• Clients: 200+ organizations worldwide, ranging from tech startups to large enterprises with $50B+ in assets. Retention rate exceeds 98% due to transparency and repeat engagement.
• Pricing: Subscription based model with continuous testing packages tailored to client environments. Includes free retesting until fixes are fully validated.
• Key Strength: Founded by elite bug bounty hackers, DeepStrike emphasizes proactive, continuous testing instead of one off audits. Their PTaaS portal integrates seamlessly with DevOps workflows CI/CD, Slack, Jira, keeping security in lockstep with development.

DeepStrike stands out by putting transparency and client trust first. Their unique PTaaS model ensures vulnerabilities are found and fixed before attackers can exploit them. With detailed reporting, flexible subscription tiers, and proven accuracy 99%+ reliability in vulnerability validation, DeepStrike sets the benchmark for DevOps aligned penetration testing.

Explore our continuous pentesting platform to learn how ongoing security testing reduces risk and strengthens compliance.

Tarlogic R&D Driven Spanish Cybersecurity Leader

• Services: Full spectrum penetration testing including web, mobile, IoT, cloud, internal & external network audits, and social engineering. Offers specialized capabilities in AI security, cyber intelligence, and fraud detection. Their flagship BlackArrow platform delivers continuous red teaming and threat hunting.
• Certifications: Holds ISO 27001, ISO 9001, and ISO 14001 certifications. Backed by strong in house R&D and frequent EU funded cybersecurity grants.
• Clients: Primarily European enterprises across finance, government, and industry sectors, with a growing international presence.
• Pricing: Engagements are typically custom project based audits rather than fixed subscriptions, allowing flexible scoping tailored to complex enterprise needs.
• Key Strength: Founded in 2011, Tarlogic is one of Spain’s longest standing pentesting firms. Their 100+ experts include recognized researchers, building custom tools from their own research to uncover advanced vulnerabilities. Named to the Financial Times’ Europe’s 1000 Fastest Growing Companies list, reflecting rapid growth and sustained innovation.

Entelgy Innotec Security Enterprise & Cloud Focused

• Services: Penetration testing integrated within a broader portfolio of security offerings: vulnerability management, SOC/MDR operations, cloud security (certified AWS Advanced MSSP for Spain and Latin America), and incident response. Engagements often blend pentesting with secure design reviews, regulatory gap analyses, or managed detection.
• Certifications: Pentesters and consultants hold CISSP, CISM, OSCP, and other advanced credentials. The firm leverages extensive compliance expertise, particularly in GDPR and NIS2 requirements.
• Clients: Large banks, manufacturers, healthcare providers, and government agencies across Spain and Latin America. Trusted for high end, enterprise scale consulting projects.
• Pricing: Typically project based or via long term contracts, offering flexibility for enterprise engagements. Not structured as flat rate or subscription only services.
• Key Strength: Over 13 years of experience as the cybersecurity division of the Entelgy Group (Spanish owner of Everis). Known for tailored, enterprise grade solutions that integrate offensive testing with broader security and compliance consulting.

S21sec Thales European Scale Offensive Security

• Services: Offensive security offerings include penetration testing, Red Team exercises, and attack surface management. Strong roots in SOC/MDR and managed security services, integrated with global Thales threat intelligence.
• Certifications: Operates under strict ISO processes, with proven expertise in ISO 27001, PCI DSS, and related compliance standards. Employs a mature purple team methodology bridging offensive and defensive operations.
• Clients: Major banks, government agencies, retail giants, and critical infrastructure providers across Europe, backed by Thales Group’s global presence.
• Pricing: Typically structured as long term service contracts or bundled assessments, aligning with enterprise scale support needs.
• Key Strength: With 400+ experts in Spain and Portugal, S21sec is one of Europe’s largest cybersecurity firms. Backed by Thales Group, it combines global intelligence feeds, enterprise scale resources, and compliance pedigree.

A3Sec SOC/MDR & Managed Security Leader

• Services: Primarily a Managed Detection & Response (MDR) provider with 24×7 operations centers. Pentesting is offered as part of a unified security service, including vulnerability testing, attack simulations, SIEM, and threat hunting. Known for their antifragile security model that blends managed services with periodic offensive testing.
• Certifications: Holds ISO 27001, ISO 20000, ISO 22301, ISO 9001, plus SOC 1/2/3 reports, reflecting maturity in both security and operational processes.
• Clients: Over 270 organizations, including major enterprises such as BBVA, Inditex, Telefónica, and Vodafone.
• Pricing: Typically delivered via subscription to their platform and MDR services, with pentesting added as an on top engagement for existing clients.
• Key Strength: Originating as a spin off from AlienVault, A3Sec is best known as a Spanish SOC/MDR leader. Their role in pentesting is a complementary ideal for enterprises already leveraging their monitoring and detection capabilities who want consistent, integrated testing.

Other Notable Players

• Qualysec (Barcelona): Specializes in web application security and managed testing services for SaaS and e-commerce platforms.
• Zerolynx (Madrid): Well known for its large Red Team staff and repeated recognition as “Best Security Company” in Spain.
• Indra / Minsait: A global consulting powerhouse, offering pentesting as part of its digital transformation and cybersecurity portfolio for enterprise and government clients.
• Telefónica Tech: Brings pentesting into its broad managed security and cloud services stack, serving some of Spain’s largest enterprises.
• Sandav & Black Box Security: Boutique firms occasionally cited for their IoT and industrial control system pentesting expertise, filling a niche in Spain’s Industry 4.0 ecosystem.

Comparison Snapshot

• Services: All major firms cover web/mobile/cloud and networks. DeepStrike and Tarlogic emphasize red teaming. Entelgy and S21sec include incident response and compliance audits. A3Sec bundles SOC/MDR.
• Pricing: DeepStrike offers both single tests and subscription PTaaS. Tarlogic and Entelgy usually do project quotes per assessment. S21sec and A3Sec prefer longer contracts. Small firms may do fixed fees per engagement.
• Certifications: Look for ISO 27001 information security standard Tarlogic, Entelgy, A3Sec all have it. DeepStrike’s team holds OSCP, eCPPT, etc. S21sec Thales follows corporate standards. Also consider CREST accreditation or GIAC certs.
• Clients: DeepStrike and Tarlogic target tech and mid to large businesses. Entelgy and S21sec serve big enterprises and governments. A3Sec focuses on large Spanish corporations. Industry focus often includes finance, telecommunications, healthcare, and critical infrastructure.

Common Pentesting Services & Examples

It may help to know what specific tests entail, since each company will tailor them

• Network Penetration Tests: Assess internal on premises LAN or external internet facing networks. Testers try to break into servers, VPNs, Wi Fi, etc., usually using tools like Nmap, Nessus/OpenVAS and Metasploit. They look for open ports, outdated services, misconfigurations. See our post on common network vulnerabilities.
• Web Application Tests: Testers review web apps, APIs or portals login pages, e commerce flows. They check for OWASP Top 10 flaws, SQL injection, broken access control, CSRF, etc. For example, broken access control allowing privilege escalation was found in 94% of apps tested in a study. Many firms DeepStrike, Qualysec, Tarlogic, etc. emphasize web app pentesting. We have an API & GraphQL security guide for modern web services.
• Mobile App Tests: Testing native iOS/Android apps requires different tools MSTG, Frida, Burp. Spanish pentest companies offering this DeepStrike, Tarlogic, etc. check for insecure data storage, weak encryption, insecure API endpoints in apps. Internal links like mobile app penetration testing solutions discuss specifics.
• Cloud Infrastructure Tests: With many companies on AWS/Azure/GCP, pentesters examine cloud misconfigurations, open S3 buckets, overly permissive IAM roles, public Kubernetes dashboards, etc.. DeepStrike and Entelgy have specialist cloud teams, the latter as AWS MSSP. They use cloud focused scanning and manual checks.
• Red Team / Adversary Emulation: This is a simulated attack campaign often multi step testing people and processes. For example, pentesters might start with phishing or an insider threat scenario, then try lateral movement. Tarlogic’s BlackArrow and S21sec’s red teams provide these services. It’s like a realistic hackathon with defined objectives, not just a checklist test.
• Social Engineering: Phishing simulations and physical access tests. S21sec and Tarlogic do these and A3Sec’s partners. They might send mock phishing emails or try tailgating into a building.

Each of the companies above will clarify which of these are in scope for your engagement. Many will combine multiple categories e.g. a full security audit includes web, network, and social engineering. In a pentest report, expect detailed findings, vulns, proof of concept steps and remediation advice.

Example Case: Account Takeover

One real case involves a client’s cloud marketing portal. Pentesters at a Spanish firm found an insecure password reset API: by manipulating an email verification link IDOR attack, they could reset any user’s password. This allowed full account takeover, exposing personal data. That finding led to immediate fixes and showed why testing authorization logic is crucial. See our detailed Real world account takeover case study.

Example Attack: SSRF Vulnerability

Another example, an internal web app had an image processing feature that fetched remote files. Testers discovered they could submit an internal URL e.g. http://169.254.169.254/ the AWS metadata service. This Server Side Request Forgery SSRF lets them read environment metadata and attach privileges to their session, essentially breaking security boundaries. If left untested, an attacker could have escalated from a breached internal server to full cloud compromise. Pentesting companies catch SSRF by trying unusual inputs, and many provide SSRF specific guidance see our Real life SSRF attack examples article for more.

Pentesting vs Vulnerability Scans vs Bug Bounties

It’s worth clearing up common confusion:

• Vulnerability Assessment vs Pentest: A vulnerability scan is an automated check using tools to list potential security holes. A penetration test is more thorough: it often follows an automated scan but also includes manual exploitation to prove which findings are truly exploitable. In short, a pentest validates and prioritizes issues. See vulnerability assessment vs penetration testing for details.
• Penetration Test vs Bug Bounty: Bug bounty programs invite external hackers to find bugs often only on web apps/APIs and are usually ongoing programs. Pentesting is a commissioned, scoped project with a defined timeframe and deliverables. Both have their place, in fact, DeepStrike’s team members often come from bug bounty backgrounds. Bounties are great for continuous discovery, but pentests, especially red teams are better at simulating targeted attack campaigns and fulfilling compliance requirements.

Continuous Pentesting PTaaS vs One Off

Traditional pentests are one off, a company tests once a year or quarter. Continuous Pentesting often called PTaaS is a newer model. Here, pentesting providers like DeepStrike blend automated scanning and manual tests in a subscription service. Advantages: tests occur whenever new code is deployed, and the organization gets a real time view of risk. This model aligns well with DevOps practices. As one industry report notes, PTaaS is increasingly popular due to its speed and visibility. However, it can be more expensive. Smaller companies might stick to occasional audits to save cost. Some firms DeepStrike, A3Sec advertise PTaaS, others Tarlogic, Entelgy still do traditional engagements. In any case, the principle is the same: frequent testing pays off in prevention.

Industry Stats & Trends

• Growth of Pentesting: Global pentesting market is booming. Allied Market projects it will more than triple by 2031. Also note that 2025 sees cybersecurity budgets surging Gartner +15% to $212B pentesting is a slice of that.
• Rising Attacks: Cybercrime losses reached $10.5 trillion annually by 2025. Spanish firms are not immune, local news often report data leaks in healthcare, finance or govt. That urgency drives more companies to hire pentesters.
• Skills Gap: 45% of organizations report a security skills shortage. This is another reason to use third party pentesters rather than hiring or training staff in house.
• Regional Security: According to INCIBE Spain’s National Cybersecurity Institute, Spain is actively boosting CISO networks and Red Team capacity. Their recommendations echo global best practices including yearly pentests for critical sectors.

In 2025, the threat landscape requires Spanish organizations to be proactive not reactive. Penetration testing is the best way to validate security and maintain compliance in the EU. Companies like DeepStrike, our top pick, Tarlogic, Entelgy Innotec, S21sec, and A3Sec bring deep expertise and specialized offerings to protect businesses. As we’ve shown, each has its niche from continuous PTaaS to custom Red Team campaigns but all share a common goal, find vulnerabilities before attackers do.

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 or build a resilient defense, our team at DeepStrike can help uncover hidden risks. Explore our penetration testing services to see how we can uncover vulnerabilities before attackers do. Drop us a line anytime we’re always ready to dive in and secure your business.

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 is penetration testing, and why do businesses need it?

Penetration testing is a simulated cyberattack by ethical hackers to uncover vulnerabilities in networks, apps, or devices.

• Beyond scans uses real attacker tactics.
• Helps businesses fix weaknesses before criminals exploit them.
• In Spain, supports compliance with GDPR, NIS2, ISO 27001, PCI DSS.

How much does a penetration test cost in Spain?

Costs vary by scope and complexity:

• Basic web app test: from a few thousand euros.
• Full scope test: €10k-€50k+.
• Day rates: €1k-€2k per tester.
• PTaaS subscriptions: tiered by asset coverage e.g., DeepStrike.

See our penetration testing cost Spain guide.

What factors should I consider when choosing a pentesting company?

Look for:

• Expertise & certifications: OSCP, GPEN, CREST.
• Service scope: web, mobile, cloud, IoT, red teaming.
• Methodology: NIST, OWASP, PTES.
• Reputation: client case studies, testimonials.
• Model: one off vs PTaaS.
• Reporting: clear, actionable findings.

See our pentesting services guide.

What’s the difference between penetration testing and a vulnerability assessment?

• Vulnerability assessment: automated scan for known flaws.
• Penetration test: ethical hackers exploit weaknesses to prove real impact. Think: scan = diagnosis, pentest = stress test.

More in vulnerability assessment vs penetration testing.

Who are the top penetration testing companies in Spain?

Leading providers:

• DeepStrike PTaaS, manual first, continuous testing.
• Tarlogic Spanish offensive security R&D.
• Entelgy Innotec enterprise & cloud focus.
• S21sec Thales large European SOC/MDR + pentest.
• A3Sec MDR/SOC with pentests.

Also: Qualysec, Zerolynx, Telefónica Tech, Indra.

Are penetration tests required by GDPR, NIS2, or other regulations?

• GDPR: requires regular testing of controls and pentests fit best.
• NIS2: mandates risk management & continuous testing.
• ISO 27001, PCI DSS, SOC 2, HIPAA: explicitly require pentests.

Regulators expect regular pentesting even if not named word for word.

How often should penetration testing be done?

• Annually at minimum.
• After major changes: apps, migrations, acquisitions.
• Continuous / PTaaS: quarterly + ongoing validation.
• Finance/healthcare: multiple tests per year.

Best practice = align frequency with risk profile + development speed.