- Threat landscape: Latvia faces a sharp cyberattack surge in 2025 CERT reports 709 incidents in Q2 +28% YoY driving strong demand for expert penetration testing.
- DeepStrike leads Latvia:
- Offers continuous PTaaS with real-time dashboards, 48-hour onboarding, and unlimited retesting.
- Provides manual, compliance-ready testing aligned with ISO 27001, NIS2, and GDPR.
- Key competitors:
- Cyber Circle combines pentesting with local CSIRT-level incident response.
- CyberAudit affordable option targeting SMEs and compliance-driven clients.
- OptiCom integrates IT infrastructure and pentesting under one service umbrella.
- Service scope: Network, web, mobile, and cloud testing, plus social engineering and red team engagements.
- Selection criteria:
- Evaluate certifications OSCP, CEH, CREST.
- Align scope with compliance frameworks ISO 27001, NIS2, GDPR.
- Consider pricing model one-off vs. subscription PTaaS and retesting options.
- Key takeaway: In Latvia’s escalating cyber threat environment, DeepStrike’s PTaaS model delivers the best balance of depth, transparency, and continuous assurance for organizations of all sizes.
Why Penetration Testing Matters in 2025
Cyber threats are intensifying worldwide, and Latvia is no exception. ’s 2025 reports show an all time high in cyber incidents: 709 cases in Q2 2025 up 28% vs Q2 2024. Recent analysis notes Latvian threats have risen 40% since 2022, with state institutions hit hardest.
These attacks often exploit public facing systems and human error IBM’s 2025 report finds 30% of breaches target internet exposed apps, and phishing driven infostealer malware jumped 84% in 2024. The average cost of a data breach has hit $4.88M globally, so detecting vulnerabilities early is critical.
Penetration testing or pen testing plays a key role here. In NIST’s guidance, pentesting is the formal process of simulating attacks to find vulnerabilities in systems or networks and verify compliance with security policies.
Regular, independent pen tests are now recommended by standards like ISO/IEC 27001 2022 and even mandated under EU rules: the NIS2 Directive effective 2023 requires essential industries to adopt appropriate cybersecurity risk management measures, which include routine security testing.
In short, as threats and regulations grow, Latvian companies from fintech startups to government agencies must harden their defenses through expert pentesting. If you want to know more about how pentesting works, see What is Penetration Testing?.
What Is Penetration Testing?
Penetration testing is a technical security audit where ethical hackers actively try to breach your systems networks, web/mobile applications, APIs, or even physical premises using the same techniques as real attackers.
It goes beyond automated vulnerability scans by manually exploiting weaknesses, proving whether flaws really lead to compromise. For example, a pentester might chain SQL injection an OWASP Top 10 issue with privilege escalation to see if sensitive data can be exfiltrated.
After testing, the provider delivers a report showing confirmed vulnerabilities often prioritized by severity and root cause plus remediation advice. NIST SP800 115 calls penetration testing a way to find vulnerabilities in a system or network and verify compliance with a policy or other requirements.
Pentesting can be scoped and styled differently: black box testing means the tester starts with no internal knowledge mimicking an external hacker, while white box testing means the tester has full access like code or system architecture for maximum coverage.
Many firms also offer gray box testing partial access. Internal vs external testing refers to whether the test originates from inside your network or from the internet. For an in depth breakdown, see Difference Between Internal and External Penetration Tests and Black Box vs White Box Testing Explained.
Ultimately, pentesting is part of a broader risk management process it complements policies, architecture reviews, and continuous scanning to keep an organization resilient.
Top Pentesting Companies in Latvia
Below we profile some leading providers that serve Latvian clients, including both local firms and international specialists with a presence in Latvia.
DeepStrike PTaaS with Continuous Manual Testing
DeepStrike is a global penetration testing firm that prioritizes manual, real-world security assessments over simple automated scans. Its experts simulate actual attackers to uncover vulnerabilities across networks, applications, and cloud environments helping organizations strengthen resilience before real incidents occur.
DeepStrike provides the full spectrum of offensive security testing, including:
- External & Internal Network Pentests
- Web, Mobile, and API Testing aligned with OWASP Top 10
- Cloud Security Assessments AWS, Azure, GCP
- Red Team Operations & Social Engineering Simulations
Each engagement is tailored, blending human insight with automation for scale and accuracy.
What sets DeepStrike apart is its Continuous Penetration Testing as a Service PTaaS platform. Clients receive a real-time dashboard that updates as vulnerabilities are found, so security and DevOps teams can take action instantly.
- Every new release can be automatically tested, reducing security debt across CI/CD pipelines.
- Free unlimited retesting for 12 months ensures fixes are verified long after deployment.
- Integrations with Slack, Jira, and ServiceNow automate ticket creation findings appear directly in developer workflows.
This approach lets DeepStrike align seamlessly with agile and DevOps cycles, delivering continuous assurance rather than one-time snapshots.
Delivery Speed & Compliance
DeepStrike is known for its fast onboarding testing typically begins within 48 hours, compared to weeks with many vendors. Reports map findings to industry standards such as ISO 27001, PCI DSS, SOC 2, and HIPAA, streamlining compliance audits and remediation tracking.
DeepStrike’s consultants hold elite certifications OSCP, OSWE, OSCE, CISSP and have uncovered logic flaws and chained vulnerabilities often missed by others.Their demo portal [Key Web Components for Pentesters] showcases this technical depth.Client references from Carta, Klook, and Swimply consistently praise DeepStrike’s professionalism, speed, and ability to find issues others overlooked.
- Trusted by Carta, Klook, Swimply, and 700+ organizations worldwide across technology, finance, and SaaS sectors.
- Frequently praised for speed of engagement, testing can begin within 48 hours, aligning with agile DevOps sprints.
- Basic Plan: One-time, fixed-scope audit with full manual testing and free retesting.
- Premium Plan: Annual subscription with continuous scanning, live reporting, and unlimited follow-ups for ongoing assurance.
DeepStrike delivers the future of pentesting: continuous, manual, and transparent. With real-time dashboards, automated DevOps integration, and elite human testers, it’s the top PTaaS provider for organizations seeking continuous security validation and compliance-ready assurance.
Cyber Circle Latvia’s CSIRT-Accredited Pentesting & Incident Response Experts
Cyber Circle, headquartered in Riga, is a Latvian-owned cybersecurity firm recognized for its dual strength in penetration testing and incident response. As an accredited CSIRT Computer Security Incident Response Team under Trusted Introducer, Cyber Circle operates at the intersection of defensive operations and offensive security testing, giving clients real-world, intelligence-backed protection.
Services
- Penetration testing and red team engagements simulating realistic attack scenarios.
- Threat hunting and forensic analysis as part of ongoing incident response capabilities.
- Social engineering exercises including phishing and smishing simulations.
- IoT and infrastructure audits, plus security consulting for critical sectors.
- Incident response and digital forensics, enabling seamless escalation from testing to mitigation.
Pricing
- Project-based bespoke pricing, adjusted for scope, sector, and response readiness.
- Designed for enterprises and public-sector organizations needing tailored testing and rapid-response capabilities.
Clients
- Works closely with Latvian banks, telecommunications providers, government agencies, and critical infrastructure operators.
- Member of Latvia’s Defence Industries Federation, contributing to national cyber resilience initiatives.
Certifications
- Operates an accredited CSIRT recognized by Trusted Introducer, ensuring adherence to EU-level incident response standards.
- Staffed by certified professionals with expertise in forensics, red teaming, and threat intelligence.
Strengths
- Unique dual role as both a CSIRT and offensive testing team, offering unmatched situational awareness.
- Deep knowledge of local Latvian threat landscapes and sector-specific risks.
- Rapid on-site response capability in the event of breaches or security incidents.
- Ideal for Latvian enterprises and government organizations seeking a trusted local partner that combines pentesting precision with real-world incident handling expertise.
CyberAudit Budget-Friendly Pentesting for SMEs and Startups
CyberAudit is a European boutique penetration testing firm serving clients across Latvia, Estonia, Spain, and beyond. The company positions itself as a low-cost, high-value pentesting provider, combining automated scanning with manual verification to deliver thorough, affordable assessments for SMEs and growing digital businesses.
Services
- External and internal network audits.
- Web application testing, with a focus on PHP vulnerabilities and OWASP Top 10 issues.
- Cloud security assessments and infrastructure hardening reviews.
- Compliance-oriented scans and PCI DSS penetration testing.
- Manual validation of automated findings for accuracy and actionable remediation advice.
Pricing
- Highly competitive and transparent pricing, targeted at startups and SMEs.
- Offers quick turnaround times and fixed-scope packages without hidden costs.
Clients
- Works with European SMEs and mid-sized enterprises, including clients in Latvia, Estonia, and Southern Europe.
- Popular among companies needing professional-grade pentesting on limited budgets.
Certifications
- Lead tester and founder hold CEH, PCIP, and CISA certifications, ensuring a blend of technical and audit expertise.
- Adheres to OWASP and PCI DSS methodologies for standardized testing quality.
Strengths
- Affordable and efficient, making certified pentesting accessible to smaller organizations.
- Personal oversight from a senior tester with 14+ years of experience.
- Delivers concise, high-quality reports that focus on key vulnerabilities and practical remediation.
- Ideal for startups, SaaS providers, and SMEs needing budget-conscious testing without sacrificing professional rigor.
OptiCom Established IT Integrator with Enterprise Security Services
OptiCom, founded in 1993 and based in Riga, is one of Latvia’s most established IT service providers, offering penetration testing as part of its broader cybersecurity and infrastructure solutions portfolio. With decades of experience in IT integration, OptiCom combines technical depth with operational stability, serving as a long-term technology partner for both public and private organizations.
Services
- Infrastructure and network penetration testing, including black-box, gray-box, and white-box engagements.
- Wireless and DDoS testing, vulnerability assessments, and SOC monitoring.
- Internal threat simulations replicating insider attacks and privilege misuse.
- ISO 27001-aligned security audits covering routers, servers, and firewall configurations.
- Bundled managed security services integrated into larger IT contracts.
Pricing
- Custom enterprise pricing, typically included as part of broader managed IT or security engagements.
- Tailored for mid-to-large organizations seeking ongoing support rather than one-off tests.
Clients
- Long-standing partnerships with Latvian enterprises, financial institutions, and government agencies.
- Trusted by clients already relying on OptiCom for IT infrastructure, hardware, and managed support services.
Certifications
- Pentesting and audit work performed by in-house Certified Ethical Hackers CEH.
- Methodology aligned with ISO 27001 controls and recognized information security frameworks.
Strengths
- Three decades of IT integration experience, providing technical reliability and enterprise-scale delivery.
- Comprehensive service portfolio pentesting offered alongside SOC, DDoS, and infrastructure security management.
- ISO-aligned methodology ensures testing supports compliance and operational resilience.
- Best suited for enterprises and government agencies seeking a trusted IT partner offering both security testing and infrastructure management under one roof.
Other Local and Global Providers in Latvia
In addition to the core Latvian firms, several regional and international cybersecurity providers operate actively in the Baltic market, offering a range of penetration testing, red teaming, and compliance assessment services.
Regional EU Consultancies
- TeamSecure and Secmentis EU-based consultancies with a growing presence in the Baltics, offering web, infrastructure, and red team testing.
- These firms are popular among cross-border organizations requiring EU-standard methodologies and multi-jurisdictional compliance coverage.
Global Enterprises
- International leaders such as Deloitte, EY, KPMG Latvia, TÜV Rheinland Latvia, and Bureau Veritas deliver security assessments, penetration testing, and audit-linked services as part of their global assurance portfolios.
- Typically engaged for large-scale compliance audits ISO 27001, SOC 2, NIS2, or GDPR these firms bring brand credibility and regulatory expertise, though often at higher cost.
International PTaaS Vendors
- Synack, Cobalt, and other cloud-based Penetration Testing as a Service PTaaS platforms serve Latvian software and SaaS companies remotely, offering on-demand testing, real-time dashboards, and global researcher networks.
- These models appeal to startups and DevOps-driven teams seeking continuous testing with quick turnaround.
Market Trend
- Many Latvian organizations now complement traditional pentesting with bug bounty or vulnerability disclosure programs, encouraging ongoing testing and community reporting.
- While global firms offer scale and automation, local experts who speak Latvian and understand local laws including GDPR and the Data State Inspectorate’s guidelines remain highly valued for faster communication, contextual reporting, and regulatory alignment.
Comparison of Leading Latvian Pentest Firms
| Category | DeepStrike | Cyber Circle Latvia | CyberAudit EU | OptiCom Latvia |
|---|
| Services Offered | Network, web, mobile, API, cloud pentests; red teaming; social engineering; continuous PTaaS platform. Compliance PCI, SOC2, ISO 27001. | Proactive & reactive security: penetration tests, red team, threat hunting/intel, incident response CSIRT. Social engineering, DFIR. | Standard pentests: external/internal networks, web apps, cloud, PCI DSS. Emphasis on manual + automated analysis. | Infra/network pentests black/gray/white box; SOC monitoring; vulnerability scans; DDoS & Wi Fi tests; ISO aligned audits. |
| Pricing | Tiered: Basic one off vs Premium annual subscription with continuous testing. Focus on value add real time dashboard, 12 mo free retests over hourly rates. | Custom quotes consulting style. Likely competitive for public sector; not publicly listed. | Low cost model for SMBs. Advertising low cost pentesting by a certified tester. Quote based per test. | Standard enterprise rates project/hourly. Likely higher, reflecting full IT service packages. Pricing per engagement. |
| Typical Clients | Tech companies and startups fintech, SaaS, e commerce. Silicon Valley and EU clients Carta, Klook, Fourthwall, etc.. | Latvian government, finance, telecoms, defense FSDI member. National CSIRT often public sector or critical infra. | European SMEs e commerce, finance, IoT. Serves clients in Latvia, Estonia, Spain, etc. No names public; client confidentiality promised. | Large Latvian enterprises and agencies, utilities, state bodies. Existing OptiCom IT customers. No clients listed. |
| Certifications | Team of OSCP/OSWE/OSCE certified hackers. Platform SOC2. Compliance ready reports ISO27001, PCI, HIPAA, etc.. Clutch/award badges. | Cyber Circle CSIRT accredited by Trusted Introducer EU standard. Team has red team/IR veterans. Certs not publicly listed. | Lead tester is CEH, PCI Professional, CISA certified. Methodology based on OWASP and EC Council best practices. | Security team includes at least one CEH specialist. Follows ISO 27001 methodology. Company has ISO 27001:2022, ISO 9001:2015. |
| Special Strengths | Continuous Testing: 24/7 PTaaS with real time dashboard and unlimited retests. Manual, high touch approach client praise. Rapid engagement often 48h. DeepStrike Labs research. | Local CSIRT & IR: Can switch from pentest to full incident response. Deep local knowledge. Holistic services offense & defense. Strong on enterprise/government needs. | Affordability & Personal Service: Focus on SMEs needing certified, thorough testing at low price. Founder personally oversees projects. Balanced use of automated and manual tools. | One Stop Integration: Bundles pentesting into broader IT services data centers, networking, SOC. Established vendor with long history since 1993 and many state contracts. ISO driven approach. |
In summary
- DeepStrike shines with its modern PTaaS model, expert consultants, and focus on fast, actionable results.
- Cyber Circle offers deep local experience and incident response prowess.
- CyberAudit is ideal for smaller firms on a budget, providing certified testing with personal attention.
- OptiCom serves enterprises needing IT outsourcing and security under one roof.
Each can uncover vulnerabilities, but the best fit depends on your needs: rapid ongoing testing DeepStrike, local/regulatory support Cyber Circle, cost efficient audits CyberAudit, or broad IT integration OptiCom.
How to Choose a Pentesting Provider in Latvia
Selecting the right penetration testing vendor involves matching your needs with a partner’s strengths:
- Scope & Services:
- Does the firm cover the assets you care about e.g. cloud infrastructure, mobile apps, IoT devices? The top Latvian firms offer a full suite: external/internal network tests, web and mobile app tests, API and cloud pentests, social engineering phishing, and even red teaming.
- For specifics, see resources like our Mobile App Pentesting Solution guide. Verify they test to known standards OWASP Top 10 for web, OWASP Mobile Top 10, NIST frameworks, PCI DSS for payment data, etc. and have experience in your industry e.g. finance, healthcare.
- Certifications & Expertise:
- Check the team’s qualifications. Look for OSCP/OSWE and CEH/CISA/CISSP certifications, CREST accreditation, or EC Council ties. Good testers often have industry badges.
- For example, DeepStrike’s engineers hold OSCP/OSWE Offensive Security and other top certs; CyberAudit’s founder is CEH, PCI Professional, CISA certified.
- Ask if the testers are actively involved in bug bounty programs or research a sign of cutting edge skills.
- Methodology & Reporting:
- Understand their process. A thorough provider will use both automated scanners and extensive manual testing.
- They should follow a clear methodology planning, reconnaissance, scanning, exploitation, reporting, retesting.
- DeepStrike’s public methodology shows a 6 step approach from planning to support. Reports should be detailed yet actionable: with evidence, proof of concept, and clear fixes.
- Also ask about retesting: some firms like DeepStrike include free retests of patched issues for a year.
- Platform & Integration:
- Modern pentesting often uses a PTaaS Penetration Testing as a Service model.
- Providers like DeepStrike offer a continuous testing platform with real time dashboards, Slack/issue tracker integrations, and 24/7 availability.
- This contrasts with traditional one off tests delivered as static PDF reports.
- A continuous platform means every new code release is auto tested and findings delivered immediately.
- If you have DevOps pipelines, look for support for integrating tools Jira, GitHub, ServiceNow, etc..
- See our continuous penetration testing platform page for more on PTaaS.
- Compliance & Retesting:
- For regulated industries, ensure the pentesters understand relevant standards.
- Will they frame findings in the context of ISO 27001, PCI DSS, HIPAA, NIS2, or GDPR requirements? For example, DeepStrike’s reports map vulnerabilities to standards like ISO 27001 and PCI.
- Also clarify costs and retest policies: pricing models range from fixed packages to hourly or per test quotes.
- We discuss Pentest Pricing and RFPs elsewhere as a rule, expect higher rates for true manual expert testing versus cheap automated scans.
- Budget & Size:
- Smaller vendors like CyberAudit pride themselves on low cost, personal service for SMEs, while larger integrators or consultancies OptiCom, global firms serve big enterprises.Decide if you need 24/7 local support or simply a scheduled audit.
- Our guide How to Choose Your Next Penetration Testing Vendor walks through key questions and Penetration Testing Cost Latvia covers pricing norms.
In short, evaluate a provider on technical depth tools, manual expertise, certifications, communication, how findings are shared, and fit for your team. It’s often useful to start with a smaller engagement or pilot, then expand to continuous testing if the partnership works.
Key Takeaways and Next Steps
- Penetration testing is no longer optional with cyber incidents rising in Latvia, testing should be part of your security routine. Remember, warns that simple misconfigurations cause over 80% of alerts.
- Compare multiple providers don’t just pick the first name. Look at a firm’s service range, client testimonials, and how they handle follow ups e.g. retesting.
- Leverage internal resources combine pentests with code review and automated scanning. Bookmark internal guides like our Penetration Testing Methodology and Penetration Testing RFP Writing Guide.
- Plan for compliance if you’re subject to ISO 27001, GDPR or sector rules financial, healthcare, etc., ensure your pentest report aligns with audit requirements e.g. PCI DSS 11.3 or SOC2.
Remember, a good pentest partner does more than hand you a report they help you prioritize fixes and improve security practices. As one CTO put it, DeepStrike revealed major issues that previous assessments missed others report jaw dropping findings. With the right provider, you turn uncertainty into clear action.
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 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 anytime 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 finance, healthcare, and technology.
FAQs
- How do I choose a penetration testing company in Latvia?
- Focus on a provider’s scope, experience, and certifications. Ensure they test the assets you care about web, mobile, cloud, network and have real hands-on expertise look for OSCP, CEH, CREST, etc..
- Check if they follow standards ISO27001, OWASP and how they report and help fix issues.
- Compare pricing models one off vs continuous PTaaS and read client reviews.
- What services do Latvian penetration testing firms offer?
- Most top firms offer external and internal network tests, web and mobile app tests, API and cloud pentesting, and social engineering phishing.
- They can simulate real hackers attacking your network or your staff.
- Many also do red team exercises, IoT/embedded testing, and security consulting.
- Some provide continuous testing platforms PTaaS so your code is re-tested every time it changes.
- DeepStrike, for example, covers all these plus compliance driven audits.
- How much does penetration testing cost in Latvia?
- Costs vary by scope and provider. Small network or app tests might start around a few thousand euros, while full audits for large environments can be €10K €50K or more.
- Continuous PTaaS subscriptions might run monthly or annually with tiers. CyberAudit targets SMEs with low cost tests, while a full service firm may charge more. Always get detailed quotes. See Penetration Testing Cost Latvia for more on pricing factors.
- What is the difference between penetration testing and a vulnerability assessment?
- A vulnerability assessment is typically an automated scan to find known issues; it lists potential flaws.
- A penetration test goes further: ethical hackers exploit the discovered vulnerabilities and often look for additional ones to prove what an attacker could do.
- In other words, pentesting is like turning on the light in a house to see if a lock is truly secure, not just scanning that a lock exists.
- Both are useful many companies do an automated scan first, then hire pentesters to validate and prioritize the findings.
- See our vulnerability assessment vs penetration testing page for details.
- What certifications should I look for in a pentester?
- Look for industry respected certs such as OSCP OffSec, OSWE, CEH, CISA/CISSP, or CREST accreditation. These indicate formal training and adherence to ethical standards. For instance, DeepStrike’s team includes OSCP/OSWE holders.
- The provider’s organization might also hold ISO 27001 or SOC2 compliance badges, which shows they follow strict security processes.
- Don’t hesitate to ask about the testers’ experience and if they’ve worked on your industry’s tech stack.
- Why consider a continuous PTaaS platform?
- In DevOps/Agile environments, code changes rapidly. A continuous PTaaS Pentesting as a Service platform retests your applications and infrastructure every time you update them.
- This catches new vulnerabilities before they go to production. DeepStrike’s PTaaS platform, for example, offers real time dashboards and Slack/Jira integration, so you don’t have to wait months for your next security review.
- Continuous testing helps maintain security shifted left into the development cycle, rather than as a one time checkbox.
- Are global cybersecurity firms relevant in Latvia?
- Yes, global consultancies Deloitte, KPMG, PwC and big security vendors like NTT, NCC Group also serve Latvian clients, especially large enterprises needing audit support.
- They bring broad resources but can be costly. Meanwhile, local specialists Cyber Circle, OptiCom, etc. offer faster, personalized service and local knowledge.
- The best choice depends on your size, budget, and need for local language/regulatory expertise.