SOC 2 Penetration Testing in 2025: Expectations, Scope & Audit-Ready Evidence

• Requirement clarity: SOC 2 doesn’t mandate penetration testing, but auditors expect it when security controls are claimed or listed.
• Audit context:
  • Type I: Pentesting optional focuses on design of controls.
  • Type II: Pentesting strongly recommended proves operating effectiveness over time.
• Scope coverage: Include all in-scope systems external/internal networks, web/mobile apps, APIs, and cloud environments.
• Testing methodology: Use a blend of automated scanning and manual testing aligned with OWASP and NIST SP 800-115.
• Deliverables: Provide an audit-ready report with:
  • CVSS scores
  • Exploit evidence screenshots, proof-of-concept
  • Mapping to SOC 2 controls e.g., CC4.1, CC7.1
• Timing: Conduct a full pentest annually or leverage a continuous PTaaS platform to keep findings fresh for Type II audits.
• Key takeaway: Pentesting strengthens your SOC 2 evidence set and demonstrates that your security controls work in practice not just on paper.

SOC 2 is a compliance framework for service organizations that focuses on security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy of customer data. A SOC 2 penetration test is an ethical hacking exercise that simulates real attackers against your systems to find vulnerabilities.

In practice, it proves your security controls work under attack conditions. Regular pentests help meet Trust Services Criteria like CC6.1 for vulnerability management and CC7.1 for system monitoring by providing tangible evidence that defenses hold up in the real world.

The stakes are high IBM reports an average data breach now costs roughly $4.88 million, so finding and fixing holes proactively can save millions.

In 2025’s fast moving threat landscape with AI driven attacks and zero day exploits on the rise SOC 2 penetration testing is more important than ever to validate your security posture, win customer trust, and stay audit ready.

What is SOC 2 Penetration Testing?

A penetration test pentest is a controlled, adversarial security assessment where experts actively try to break into your systems, networks, and applications. The goal is to identify exploitable vulnerabilities unpatched software, misconfigurations, logic flaws, etc. before attackers do.

When tied to SOC 2 compliance, a pen test specifically targets the systems in scope for your SOC 2 report. This can include internal networks, cloud infrastructure, web and mobile applications, APIs, and other points where data is processed or stored.

SOC 2 itself does not mandate penetration testing as a checkbox item. Instead, SOC 2 requires you to design effective controls to protect data Trust Services Criteria, and pentesting is one way to prove those controls work. In other words, pentests are a best practice and often an expectation from auditors they show you’re actively testing and validating security, not just talking about it.

Why does this matter now? Modern attacks are increasingly sophisticated, and compliance auditors want more than theoretical assurances. A hands on test helps you answer the key question. Can someone actually breach our defenses? It complements automated scans by adding human ingenuity.

By demonstrating proactive pentesting, you bolster your SOC 2 evidence and shore up weak spots before a real attacker finds them.

SOC 2 Pen Testing: Type I vs Type II Audits

SOC 2 comes in two flavors: Type I design only and Type II operational effectiveness. This distinction drives penetration test expectations:

• Type I SOC 2: Auditors review the design of your controls at a point in time. They ask Does your system description and policies look correct? In this case, you do not have to run a pentest to pass the audit.
• It is about design, not evidence of operation. In practice, organizations often forego testing until later, focusing on documentation first.
• Type II SOC 2: Auditors examine whether controls actually ran and were effective over a period usually 6-12 months. If you list regular penetration testing as one of your control activities, auditors will expect that you actually performed it during the audit window.
• In fact, every Type II report should include a recent pentest or note no events tested if you chose not to do one, which won’t fail you but is a red flag.

Type I is about design pen tests optional, Type II is about proof over time pen tests are highly recommended. Most companies plan at least one full pentest per year if not more frequently to ensure fresh results for their Type II audit.

Some modern orgs even adopt continuous pentesting platforms PTaaS so tests happen automatically after major releases.

Planning Your SOC 2 Pentest: Scope & Scheduling

Scoping: Define everything that’s in scope for your SOC 2 Trust Criteria and include it in the test. This typically means:

• External assets: All internet facing systems web/mobile apps, APIs, cloud services, corporate websites.
• Internal assets: Networks and servers inside your data centers or cloud VPCs that handle customer data.
• Applications and databases: Any app or DB where customer data is stored or processed including admin portals and internal tools.
• Cloud infrastructure: AWS/Azure/GCP accounts, containers, and cloud services that support your application.

Auditors expect a comprehensive scope. As Bluefire notes, All in scope systems, applications, APIs, and cloud environments should be tested.

For example, a SaaS company should pentest their multi-tenant app web and mobile, backend APIs, and any admin backends. Don’t forget internal networks once an external breach is simulated, auditors will look to see if you tried lateral moves inside the network.

Timing & Frequency: Schedule testing well before your audit to allow fixes and a retest.

• Plan at least one full pentest within the last 12 months of the audit report date.
• If your audit window runs January December, ideally test in Q2 or Q3 so you have time to remediate and document fixes.
• First time testers often pick a convenient date with ample lead time.
• Beyond annual tests, many organizations now opt for continuous testing PTaaS or quarterly scans, especially if using Agile/DevOps this ensures always fresh security data.
• Keep in mind peak loads, avoid testing during major business events or holidays.
• Also coordinate with auditors on scope and sched
• ule, as they may want to witness evidence especially for Type II.

SOC 2 Pentest Methodology: Conducting the Test

Credentials & Approach: Decide on black box vs gray box vs white box testing.

• In practice, gray box authenticated testing is very common for SOC 2 because it mimics an attacker who has stolen some user credentials or bypassed perimeter defenses. 
• The tester is given limited insider information like user login credentials and high level system docs so they can focus on deeper vulnerabilities.
• This approach saves time on recon while still testing internal logic.

However, experts often include both external black box and internal authenticated phases. An external test shows what an outsider can breach, an internal test with a foothold already inside assesses lateral movement and privilege escalation.

If you have solid internal defenses, auditors may expect that once an attacker has a beachhead, you still can detect or stop them.

Frameworks & Tools: Use industry standard methodologies to guide your test.

• Common frameworks include NIST SP 800 115 technical guide for pen testing, OWASP Top 10 for web apps, SANS/CIS Top 20, and PTES.
• For example, NIST SP 800 115 lays out planning, discovery, exploitation, and reporting phases a structure your testers should follow.
• Testers typically start with automated discovery port scans, vulnerability scans and then perform manual exploitation.
• Remember, SOC 2 auditors expect manual testing by a qualified human Bluefire notes Manual testing not just automated vulnerability scans is expected.
• Automated tools Nessus, Qualys, etc. can quickly find known issues, but skilled testers will chain multiple vulnerabilities and uncover business logic or zero day flaws.

Focus Areas:

• Web & Mobile Apps:
  • Test for OWASP Top 10 flaws injections, XSS, auth bypass, etc.. This aligns with CC6.1 you’re identifying vulnerabilities in your application code.
  • Include modern attacks too SSRF, API misconfig, mass assignment, etc..
  • See internal link on mobile app penetration testing solution for more on mobile specific threats.
• Networks & Systems: Test firewalls, VPNs, and internal subnets. Try phishing simulations or brute forcing weak credentials on internal services. This addresses CC7.1/CC6.1 showing you monitor and patch systems.
• Cloud Environments: Audit your cloud configuration. Misconfigured AWS S3 buckets, overly permissive IAM roles, or unpatched container images should be tested. 80% of breaches involve cloud misconfigs.
• APIs: Don’t forget API endpoints REST, GraphQL. Test authentication, input validation, and object level access to prevent broken auth or mass assignment issues.
• Social Engineering if in scope: While not always part of SOC 2, some organizations include email/phishing tests to validate security awareness helps CC3.2 risk mitigation procedures.

Always follow rules of engagement, have permission in writing, set testing windows, and whitelist the testing IPs. Use high fidelity staging environments that mirror production to avoid downtime.

Audit Ready Reporting & Remediation

A SOC 2 pentest isn’t complete until you compile an auditor friendly report and fix the issues. Here’s what auditors expect in your deliverables:

• Executive Summary: High level findings and business impact. Even non technical stakeholders should grasp overall risk.
• Scope & Methodology: Clear description of what was tested, assets, IPs, apps and how tools, manual methods.
• Detailed Findings: For each vulnerability, include a CVSS severity, detailed description, steps to reproduce screenshots/logs of the exploit, and the potential impact.
• Mapping to SOC 2 Controls: Crucially, show how each finding relates to your SOC 2 criteria. For example, note which Trust Services Criterion e.g. CC6.1 or CC7.1 is addressed by this test or impacted by the finding. This directly ties pen test results to your audit evidence.
• Remediation Guidance: Provide clear, actionable fix recommendations for each issue. Prioritize by risk.
• Retest Results: After you fix critical vulnerabilities, have the testers verify those fixes and document that they’re closed. Auditors will want proof usually from retest logs or screenshots that you remediated the high severity issues before report finalization.

Avoid ambiguous or vague reports they can stall your audit. Bluefire warns that ambiguous findings or skipping retests often delay your audit or lead to findings you’ll need to resolve.

Instead, aim for a polished SOC 2 ready report structured, mapped to criteria, and complete with proof. This way, your auditor can verify controls quickly without needing extra interviews.

Common Mistakes & Myths

Being prepared for SOC 2 means avoiding these pitfalls:

• Just running a scan: A common mistake is submitting only an automated vulnerability scan. Auditors want human led penetration tests, not just tool reports. Scans are useful but not sufficient evidence on their own.
• Testing too late: Waiting until days before the audit to pentest is risky. If you find critical flaws then, there may be no time to fix and retest. Plan tests at least a month or two before auditor deadlines.
• Narrow scope: Omitting an entire in scope domain e.g. not testing your mobile app can be a red flag. Make sure all customer facing apps and networks are included.
• Poor documentation: Handwritten notes or uncategorized issue lists are no good. Deliver a formal report with clear metrics and references to controls.
• Skipping retests: If testers find a showstopper bug, fix it and prove it’s fixed. Auditors expect confirmation.

Also, don’t fall for the myth that a clean pentest no findings is required. In fact, SOC 2 is not looking for perfection, it's looking for a proper process. It’s perfectly acceptable and realistic to have findings in a pen test.

The key is that you address them via tickets and retesting. A flawed test is a good thing if it shows you found something and fixed it it proves your team is vigilant.

Comparing SOC 2 Penetration Test Vendors

Choosing a qualified provider is critical. Below are some representative providers known for SOC 2 focused penetration testing. We’ve included DeepStrike as one of the top penetration testing companies at the top as an example of a PTaaS/consulting hybrid that specializes in compliance ready pentesting. Each vendor emphasizes manual testing, compliance expertise, and audit friendly reporting.

Each of these providers emphasizes audit ready services experienced testers OSCP, GPEN, etc., thorough methodologies OWASP Top 10, PTES, NIST SP 800 115, and detailed reporting with proof of exploit and retesting support. Other boutique PTaaS vendors like Bugcrowd, Cobalt, and Secureframe’s partners can also be suitable if they demonstrate SOC 2 expertise.

How Much Does SOC 2 Penetration Testing Cost?

Budgeting is a frequent concern. Pentest costs vary widely based on scope, complexity, and methodology. As a rule of thumb, expect $5,000 to $50,000+ for a professional pentest.

The final quote depends on factors like how many assets are tested, web apps, APIs, networks, etc., how complex they are, and whether the test is black box or white box.

For example, a basic black box web app test might start around $5-10K, while a full scope test of multiple applications and networks with red teaming could reach $40K or more.

DeepStrike’s own benchmarking found that comprehensive SOC 2 pentests generally run in that $10K- $50K range including retests and compliance support lower for very small startups, higher for large enterprises.

Cheaper services <$4K usually rely mostly on automated scans and are not thorough enough for SOC 2 requirements. However, don’t cut corners: investing in a quality pentest can save costs later.

For reference, IBM found average breach costs near $5M, so avoiding even one incident pays for multiple tests.

When asking vendors for quotes, use the Trust Services Criteria to define scope. Clarify your key assets e.g. all production systems and apps handling customer data and whether you want just an external test or internal as well.

Consider PTaaS subscriptions for continuous testing, which may amortize costs over frequent scans rather than one large engagement.

A detailed quote should spell out what’s included tester credentials, manual vs automated steps, vulnerability scanning, social engineering if any, reporting deliverables, and retesting.

Penetration testing is a proactive way to prove your SOC 2 security controls are effective in practice.

By simulating real attacks, you find and fix hidden weaknesses demonstrating compliance under the hood, not just on paper.

Follow the best practices above to schedule thorough, well scoped tests, produce clear reports, and remediate quickly. This not only satisfies auditors, but also genuinely hardens your defenses against tomorrow’s threats.

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 expert 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.

FAQs

• Is penetration testing required for SOC 2 compliance?
  • No, SOC 2 does not explicitly require pentesting. The AICPA lets you choose how to meet its Trust Services Criteria, and pentesting is one option to test vulnerabilities.
  • However, auditors and customers strongly expect it. It’s considered a best practice especially for Type II reports because it provides clear proof that security controls work under attack conditions.

• How often should we conduct a SOC 2 penetration test?
  • Most organizations do a full pentest at least once per year, and often after any major change, new app rollout, major code push, significant infrastructure update.
  • Some perform quarterly or use continuous pentesting platforms. The key is to have a recent test within 12 months during your Type II audit period. Don’t wait until the last minute schedule with time for remediation.

• What’s the difference between a SOC 2 Type I and Type II pentest?
  • A Type I audit reviews your control design at a point in time. Penetration tests are optional here.
  • For Type II, you must demonstrate that controls ran over the year. If you claim pentesting as a control, you must have performed it during the period.
  • In practice, you would include at least one test and retesting of fixes in a Type II report to show evidence of effectiveness.

• What should be included in a SOC 2 penetration test scope?
  • Your pentest should cover all in scope assets that the SOC 2 report covers.
  • This usually means your public web/mobile applications and their APIs, any cloud environments AWS/Azure/GCP that store/process data, and your internal networks and servers. The goal is to test security under each Trust Criterion.
  • For example, test firewalls and VPNs Availability/Security, databases Integrity/Confidentiality, and data encryption Confidentiality/Privacy leaving no stone unturned.

• Vulnerability scanning vs penetration testing aren’t they the same thing?
  • No, they’re different stages of security testing. A vulnerability scan is an automated check against known issues quick and broad, but passive.
  • A penetration test is manual exploitation by a skilled tester. In a scan, the tool might list many potential flaws.
  • In a pentest, the tester tries to actually exploit those and find chained or hidden vulnerabilities that automated tools miss.
  • In short, scanning answers What might be wrong? pentesting answers Can someone break in and how far can they go?.

• How much does a SOC 2 penetration test cost?
  • Penetration test costs vary with scope and complexity. As a ballpark, expect $5,000- $50,000+ for a professional SOC 2 compliant engagement.
  • Smaller web apps may be in the low end, large networks or apps with high complexity will be in the mid/high range.
  • The final price depends on how many systems are tested, what methods black/white/gray box are used, and who does the testing.
  • Always compare vendor quotes carefully.