Penetration Testing Companies in Italy 2025 (Reviewed)

Penetration Testing Companies Italy

• Threat landscape: Italy logged 573 serious cyber incidents in 2024 an 89% jump vs 2023, making proactive testing essential.
• DeepStrike leads Italy: Human powered, manual first pentesting with transparent PTaaS platform.
• Key competitors:
  • ISGroup ISO 27001 certified specialist
  • Swascan/Tinexta Cloud based pentest platform for SMEs
  • Pikered AI driven BAS automation
  • Telsy TIM Group Accredited national testing lab
  • Black Dog Solutions MSSP offering annual pentests
• Coverage: Web, mobile, cloud, and network pentesting.
• Compliance driver: PCI DSS 11.3 mandates regular pentests, ISO 27001 & GDPR reinforce the need.
• Why it matters: With global breach costs at $4.88M on average IBM, skilled penetration testers provide critical defense beyond compliance.

Penetration testing is the process of simulating hacker attacks on an organization’s systems to uncover security weaknesses. A penetration tester manually probes networks, web applications, and other assets internal and external to exploit vulnerabilities much like a real attacker.

In contrast to a simple vulnerability scan, a penetration test involves skilled analysts who verify whether and how an identified flaw can be exploited, tracing it back to its root cause.

This hands‑on approach often called ethical hacking is key for finding complex issues that automated tools miss. Tests can be black‑box no prior info, white‑box full access, or gray‑box partial knowledge each with different costs and thoroughness.

Why does pentesting matter for Italian businesses in 2025?

First, cyber incidents in Italy are rising sharply. The Italian National Cybersecurity Agency ACN reported 1,979 cyber events in 2024 vs 1,411 in 2023, including 573 serious breaches. SMEs and public bodies bore the brunt 75% of private‑sector breaches hit small/medium firms.

Ransomware is rampant 198 major attacks in 2024 +20% YoY mostly targeting manufacturing, healthcare and public services with groups like LockBit and Black Basta active. Globally, IBM warns that breaches are growing costlier 2024 average breach cost $4.88M, +10% over prior year.

In this high‑stakes context, regular penetration testing helps organizations anticipate attacks and plug gaps. It’s also increasingly a compliance must, regulations like GDPR, NIS2, and industry standards ISO/IEC 27001, PCI DSS 11.3, SOC 2, HIPAA, FedRAMP, etc. mandate periodic security testing. For example, PCI DSS 11.3 explicitly requires internal and external network/app testing at least annually and after major changes.

Who Are the Top Pentest Firms in Italy?

Italy’s market includes both homegrown specialists and international experts. Below are some of the leading penetration testing companies servicing Italian clients:

DeepStrike Global (USA/Italy) Manual-First Pentesting with International Reach

• Services: Specializes in fully manual penetration testing across web, mobile, APIs, cloud, and networks, as well as advanced red team exercises. Testers emulate real-world adversaries, uncovering complex vulnerabilities often missed by automated tools. Offers tiered engagement plans, including one-off pentests and a Premium subscription with ongoing scans and attack surface monitoring.
• Certifications & Compliance: Staff includes OSCP and CEH-certified experts. Reporting is tailored to meet compliance requirements for SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, and other frameworks.
• Clients: Serves global enterprises, including Italian organizations, from startups to multinational firms. Maintains a perfect 5.0/5 rating on Clutch, reflecting strong customer satisfaction.
• Pricing: Provides tiered pricing models from single pentests to continuous subscription-based packages with integrated monitoring.
• Key Strength: Renowned for manual thoroughness and adversary-style testing. Clients highlight detailed reporting, real-time dashboards, and seamless integrations with development and compliance workflows.

DeepStrike Global blends U.S. expertise with European presence, making it a trusted choice for multinational firms seeking high-skill manual testing combined with the efficiency of a continuous PTaaS model. Its perfect Clutch rating underscores a reputation for precision, transparency, and client trust.

ISGroup (Italy) Veteran Cybersecurity Boutique

• Services: Provides network, web, mobile, and code-review pentests, alongside vulnerability assessments, red teaming, and security training. Engagements are tailored to enterprise environments and often include bespoke methodologies.
• Certifications & Compliance: Certified under ISO 9001 and ISO 27001, ensuring mature processes and repeatable quality. Consultants frequently hold OSCP and CREST certifications, bringing hands-on technical expertise.
• Clients: Trusted by banks, insurers, and government agencies across Italy. Well-established reputation from hundreds of successful engagements over decades.
• Pricing: Engagements are custom-scoped, reflecting their bespoke, research-driven approach. Positioned for enterprises needing tailored solutions rather than standardized packages.
• Key Strength: With its longstanding experience and research background, ISGroup stands out as a trusted Italian specialist. Known for deep technical expertise, bespoke testing, and strong sector presence in finance and government.

ISGroup is one of Italy’s most experienced pentesting boutiques, offering enterprises a mature, research-driven partner for high-assurance testing. Their combination of ISO certifications, veteran consultants, and bespoke methodology makes them a strong choice for organizations that value trust and technical depth.

Swascan (Tinexta Cyber, Italy) Cloud-Based Security Platform for SMEs

• Services: Offers an All-in-One cloud security platform where clients can run automated vulnerability scans for web apps, networks, and cloud environments. Provides on-demand manual pentests (white, gray, and black box), plus compliance tools such as GDPR assessments and ISO 27001 readiness.
• Certifications & Compliance: The platform is GDPR-compliant and benefits from being part of Tinexta Cyber, which enhances trust and credibility.
• Clients: Targeted primarily at SMEs and mid-market companies that need affordable, continuous security testing paired with compliance validation.
• Pricing: Operates on a subscription-based model for automated scanning, with additional costs for manual pentests and regulatory modules. Packages are structured for ease of adoption by smaller organizations.
• Key Strength: Known for making continuous security accessible through a cloud-first dashboard, while Tinexta’s backing ensures stability and credibility for clients.

Swascan represents Italy’s SME-friendly security solution, blending automation, manual pentesting, and compliance tools in a simple cloud-based model. With Tinexta’s support, it stands out as a credible, scalable option for mid-market firms balancing cost, compliance, and ongoing testing needs.

Pikered (Italy) AI-Driven Breach & Attack Simulation (BAS)

• Services: Combines ethical hacking expertise with AI automation. Its flagship platform ZAIUX Evo is a cloud-based BAS solution that continuously emulates attacks against networks with minimal setup. In addition to BAS, Pikered provides manual pentests and security audits.
• Certifications & Compliance: Certified under ISO 27001 and ISO 9001, ensuring process maturity and trust for regulated sectors.
• Clients: Works with fintech companies and critical infrastructure providers, as well as partners such as TIM/Telsy. Particularly valued by organizations seeking continuous validation of Active Directory/Entra ID environments.
• Pricing: Operates under a platform subscription model for ZAIUX Evo, with additional pricing for manual pentests and audits.
• Key Strength: Pikered’s unique niche lies in AI-driven BAS. ZAIUX Evo continuously orchestrates attacks mapped to the MITRE ATT&CK framework, surfacing vulnerabilities that a determined human attacker would exploit.

Pikered stands out in Italy for its innovative, AI-powered approach to offensive security. By blending continuous BAS with expert-led pentests, it provides organizations especially in fintech and critical infrastructure with ongoing, real-world attack simulation that goes beyond traditional one-off testing.

Telsy (TIM Group, Italy) Strategic Security Lab for Critical Infrastructure

• Services: Operates as TIM Group’s dedicated security and cryptography lab, specializing in penetration testing of software, hardware, and telecom/IoT products. Recently launched the Futuring Technology Center, accredited by Italy’s National Cybersecurity Agency (ACN) for critical infrastructure testing. Provides firmware analysis and advanced vulnerability discovery.
• Certifications & Compliance: ACN accreditation positions Telsy as a national-level trusted lab. Integrates into TIM Group’s compliance and telecom-grade security practices.
• Clients: Primarily serves national agencies, critical infrastructure providers, and large enterprises reliant on secure telecom, IoT, and hardware systems.
• Pricing: Engagements are typically custom project-based, reflecting the high-assurance, critical infrastructure focus of their work.
• Key Strength: Recognized for world-class technical expertise in telecom, IoT, and national security testing. As part of TIM Group, Telsy reinforces Italy’s cyber resilience at both the enterprise and strategic infrastructure level.

Telsy stands apart as Italy’s strategic security lab, combining world-class pentesting expertise with national accreditation. Best suited for critical infrastructure and government organizations, it reinforces TIM’s role as a leading force in Italian cybersecurity.

Black Dog Solutions (Italy) Managed Security with Pentesting Bundled

• Services: Provides a Security-as-a-Service model, enabling clients to outsource cybersecurity end-to-end. Core offerings include 24/7 SOC monitoring, vulnerability assessments, penetration testing, and GDPR compliance consulting all under a fixed annual subscription.
• Certifications & Compliance: Operates under ISO-aligned practices, with a strong emphasis on compliance and governance for regulated industries.
• Clients: Trusted by major industrial and enterprise clients, including Leonardo, TIM, banks, and public sector organizations.
• Pricing: Uses a subscription-based model rather than one-off engagements, bundling pentesting and VA with continuous SOC monitoring for predictable annual costs.
• Key Strength: Stands out for its bundled, managed approach. By integrating pentesting into a broader MSSP offering, BDS enables clients to focus on core business while delegating security operations and compliance.

Black Dog Solutions is best suited for Italian organizations seeking comprehensive, managed coverage rather than isolated pentests. With strong enterprise and public sector clients, it delivers predictable, bundled security services combining MSSP operations with offensive testing and compliance expertise.

These firms represent Italy’s diverse landscape from Swascan’s SaaS‑style platform to ISGroup’s research‑driven boutique to DeepStrike’s global, developer‑friendly pentest approach. They each hold relevant credentials ISO certifications, OSCP, CREST personnel, etc. and cover core services web, mobile, cloud, network, social engineering. Pricing ranges widely, most quality pentests cost €5K-€50K+ depending on scope but transparency is improving with tiered quotes and continuous plans.

How to Choose a Penetration Testing Provider in Italy

1. Define Scope & Goals: List your assets, websites, APIs, apps, networks, IoT devices and compliance needs. Determine if you need just an annual check e.g., for PCI/SOC 2 or an ongoing program. Consider whether you want extra services like phishing tests.
2. Check Expertise & Certifications: Look for firms with proven experience in your industry. Are they ISO 27001 certified or hold CREST accreditation? Pentesters with OSCP/CEH/CISSP are a good sign. Read client reviews e.g. DeepStrike has 5.0/5 on Clutch. Ensure they follow recognized standards OWASP, NIST SP 800‑115.
3. Compare Services & Anchors: Verify they cover all required services web app testing see web application penetration testing services, mobile app pentesting see mobile app penetration testing solution, cloud/infra testing, and social engineering. Ask about black‑ vs white‑box methods see black box vs white box testing explained. If you have APIs or GraphQL, confirm API testing experience. Platforms like Swascan or Pikered offer automated/continuous continuous penetration testing if needed.
4. Request Proposals: Contact multiple providers for quotes. Provide your scope and ask about methodology. Compare costs per asset, daily rates vs fixed price. Our guide on penetration testing RFP writing can help structure your request. Expect professional reports, CVSS risk scoring, and retest options.
5. Evaluate Reports & Support: Look for clarity in findings and remediation guidance. Good vendors e.g. DeepStrike offers integration with issue trackers and free fix re-tests. A solid provider will also help validate fixes ensuring the issues are truly resolved.
6. Plan Ongoing Testing: Cyber threats evolve. The most resilient organizations use continuous or periodic retesting. Ask if the company offers subscription plans or automated scanning. DeepStrike, for instance, has a Premium tier with twice‑yearly pentests and weekly scans. Considering penetration testing for startups and SMBs is especially important, since 75% of Italy’s private breaches hit smaller firms.

Penetration Testing vs Vulnerability Assessment

It’s crucial to distinguish pentesting from a simple vulnerability scan. A vulnerability assessment is typically an automated scan of your systems to list known issues. A penetration test, by contrast, has experts actively exploit weaknesses. As SecurityMetrics explains, a vulnerability scan is automated, while a penetration test includes a live person actually digging into the complexities of your network. Scans alone can miss logic flaws or chained exploits. Ideally, use both, regular automated scans for baseline checks, and periodic full pentests for deep analysis. See our guide vulnerability assessment vs penetration testing for more on this.

Key Penetration Testing Services

Top pentest firms offer a range of assessments:

• Web Application Testing: Based on industry standards like the OWASP Top 10 and CWE Top 25. This finds SQLi, XSS, CSRF, SSRF see Real life SSRF attack examples, and other web flaws. Internal pages often use frameworks Laravel, etc. tests cover those too.
• APIs and GraphQL: As APIs proliferate, pentesters look for auth bypass, injection or GraphQL API vulnerabilities. E.g. mass‑assignment or improper rate‑limiting.
• Mobile Application Testing: Android/iOS apps client side and server API are audited. Common issues include insecure data storage, broken authentication, insecure API calls. See our mobile app penetration testing solution for details.
• Cloud & Infrastructure: Public cloud AWS, Azure, internal networks, and IoT devices. Look for misconfigurations, open S3 buckets, default creds and risky firewall rules. Many firms now combine pentests with cloud‑security tools or CASB/CSPM audits.
• Social Engineering: Phishing, vishing and physical entry tests. Good pentesters like those at DeepStrike simulate phishing or USB drop attacks to test human defenses.
• Continuous Testing Platforms: Instead of a one off project, some providers offer ongoing testing. For example, DeepStrike has a continuous penetration testing platform that runs weekly automated scans and provides a live dashboard of findings. Pikered’s ZAIUX is another form of continuous BAS. Continuous testing helps quickly catch new threats between major audits and learn more about why continuous penetration testing matters.

Cost Considerations in Italy

Penetration testing cost varies widely by scope. DeepStrike’s data shows professional pentests typically run €5K-€50K, with large enterprise projects exceeding €100K. Simple scans or small apps can start around €5K, while complex multi‑site engagements go higher.

Key cost drivers include the number of hosts/applications, test depth black vs white box and tester expertise. For context, typical benchmarks globally are web app tests €4K-€25K, network tests €4K-€35K, mobile €6K-€30K per platform.

Italian providers often quote in Euros and may adjust for VAT. Some offer package pricing or retainer models. Always get a formal quote and compare daily rate vs fixed price models.

Note very low cost pentests < €3K are usually automated scans only. Expert human led pentests with senior testers e.g. OSCP‑certified warrants a higher investment, but can uncover flaws that save millions in breach costs.

Compliance and Penetration Testing

Penetration testing isn’t just best practice, it's often required. In Italy, companies in the finance, healthcare, e‑commerce and public sectors must meet EU/National rules. For example:

• GDPR and NIS2: Both stress appropriate security measures. While not mandating pentests by name, supervisory authorities expect regular security audits including penetration tests as evidence of due diligence.
• ISO/IEC 27001: This standard for information security requires a risk assessment and controls. In practice, certified firms e.g. ISGroup include pentests as part of ISO27001 consultancy or SOC2 readiness see ISO 27001 consultancy Italy, SOC 2 penetration testing requirements.
• PCI DSS 11.3: For any organization handling payment cards, PCI mandates internal and external pentests of the Cardholder Data Environment at least annually and after major changes.
• HIPAA US healthcare: If serving US health data, HIPAA guidance strongly recommends annual penetration tests. Even if not legally required, a pentest is considered a key safeguard for patient data.
• FedRAMP US cloud: For US federal cloud services, FedRAMP requires periodic pentesting by accredited 3PAOs.
• Cyber Insurance: Many insurers now require recent pen tests to cover critical assets or offer premium discounts. Cyber insurance will increasingly reward regular testing in 2025-2030.

Even if not mandatory, pentesting often overlaps these frameworks. Providers in Italy will tailor reports to compliance e.g. highlighting evidence of meeting GDPR/NIS controls. Essentially, a quality pentest helps tick the boxes for regulations from GDPR to DORA to Italian privacy law.

Case Studies & Attack Examples

To illustrate the stakes, consider real incidents For example, a major account takeover occurred at a company details anonymized when attackers phished an admin user. A scenario a good pentest could have preempted see our account takeover case study.

Or take SSRF real‑world SSRF attack examples show how poorly configured APIs let hackers pivot into internal systems. We’ve also seen OAuth misconfigurations allow session hijacks to learn about OAuth security best practices. These cases underline that vulnerabilities often span tech stacks, something the top pentesters DeepStrike, Swascan, etc. hunt for.

On statistics globally, some shocking figures emerge. A recent IBM study found stolen credentials were the top initial breach vector 16%, and that breaches now take 280+ days to contain.

In Italy, malware and phishing remain huge threats, email is still a major entry point. The ACN reported 53,000 security alerts in 2024 a 157% increase, signaling how much faster attacks are evolving. Having a skilled pentesting team helps organizations stay one step ahead of these trends.

Common Mistakes and Myths

• Myth: Automated scans are enough. Reality: Scans find basic issues, but manual testers uncover logic flaws and chained exploits. As one review put it, forget automated pentesting human intelligence finds the hidden bugs.
• Myth: Only large companies need pentests. Reality: With 75% of Italy’s breaches hitting SMEs, small/medium businesses are very much targets. Affordable pentest services exist for SMBs penetration testing for startups and SMBs, and SMEs should consider at least annual testing.
• Myth: Pentest = compliance done. Reality: Passing a pentest is not a free pass forever. New code or threats pop up constantly. We recommend integrating testing into DevOps DevSecOps and retesting after major changes.
• Mistake: Ignoring remediation. A test isn’t useful if findings sit unaddressed. Good providers e.g. DeepStrike will offer retests. You should validate every critical fix promptly.
• Myth: All pentesters are the same. Experience, methodology, and communication vary. Look for testers with clear reporting and risk ratings. As reviews highlight, comprehensive and detailed reporting and developer friendly dashboards can make a big difference.

Step by Step: Running a Pentest Engagement

1. Plan: Define objectives e.g., PCI audit vs risk reduction and scope which systems, internal/external, etc.. Involve stakeholders and select a testing window.
2. Choose Company: Evaluate proposals. Verify the penetration testing RFP guide to ensure you ask the right questions methodologies, team experience, deliverables.
3. Kickoff: Meet the testers. Share necessary information business context, IP ranges, APIs. Decide on black/white/grey box approach.
4. Testing Phase: The provider conducts reconnaissance, scanning, and exploitation. They communicate regularly, some use Slack/Jira dashboards and follow frameworks like OWASP WSTG.
5. Reporting: After tests, receive a detailed report of findings with CVSS severity scores, screenshots and proof of concept exploits. Reports should include remediation steps.
6. Remediation & Retest: Fix the issues patch, config changes, code fixes. Engage the testers for a free or low cost retest of high severity findings to verify closure.
7. Learn & Plan Next: Incorporate lessons learned e.g. update security training, code reviews, or continuous scanning. Schedule the next pentest cycle.

By following a clear process and choosing a qualified partner, organizations can significantly improve their security posture.

Italian businesses face increasingly aggressive cyber threats with a record 89% jump in serious attacks in 2024. To stay secure and compliant, partnering with a skilled penetration testing company is essential. Whether you choose a global expert like DeepStrike rated 5★ on Clutch or a local specialist ISGroup, Swascan/Tinexta, Pikered, Telsy, BDS, the goal is the same, find and fix vulnerabilities before attackers exploit them. Rigorous pentesting helps meet GDPR/NIS2/PCI requirements, reduce breach risk, and ultimately save money by avoiding data theft or downtime.

Ready to Strengthen Your Defenses? The cyber threats of 2025 demand more than awareness, they require preparation. If you want to validate your security posture, uncover hidden risks, and build a resilient defense strategy, DeepStrike is here to help. Our team of 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.

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 does a penetration testing company do?

A pentest company conducts controlled cyberattacks on your systems websites, networks, apps to find and exploit security holes before real hackers do. They deliver a report of vulnerabilities and help you fix them. This proactive testing goes beyond automated scanning, adding human expertise to validate risks.

• How much does penetration testing cost in Italy?

Costs vary by scope and complexity. Expect professional tests for a single web app or small network to start around €5K, with larger or multi‑domain tests reaching €50K or more. Mobile apps and cloud assets have similar ranges. Key factors are the number of IPs/pages, technologies, and testing depth. Complex white‑box tests or multi‑site engagements drive costs up. Smaller companies should budget tens of thousands, but the ROI can be huge given that a single breach can cost millions.

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

A vulnerability assessment is an automated scan that lists known weaknesses in your systems. A penetration test is a live attack simulation performed by skilled testers who actually exploit weaknesses to see how deep they can go. In short, a vuln scan shows potential holes, a penetration test proves whether those holes can be breached and what an attacker could do. Both are important scans for routine checks, pentests for in depth assurance.

• How often should I have a penetration test?

At minimum, once a year, or after any major change new apps, network upgrades, mergers, etc.. Best practice and many regulations call for annual testing. If you add significant infrastructure or face new threats, schedule a new test. For high risk environments, continuous testing or biannual tests are ideal.

• Which certifications and standards matter for a pentest firm?

Look for companies with strong credentials. ISO/IEC 27001 certification is a plus and ISGroup is ISO 27001 certified. Check if testers have respected certs like OSCP, OSWE, CEH, CISSP. Accreditation like CREST less common in Italy or ANSI testing labs can also indicate quality. Reputable firms follow standards such as OWASP Top 10 and NIST SP 800‑115 in their methodology.

• What’s the difference between red team and penetration testing?

A typical penetration test focuses on specific systems or applications, a point in time attack. A red team engagement is broader, it simulates an advanced persistent threat over weeks, using social engineering, physical intrusion, and sophisticated attack chains to test the organization’s overall defense. For example, a red team might try phishing staff, then exploiting a simulated malware drop, whereas a pentest might just check your perimeter network and website. Both have value, pentests are more scoped and technical, red teams are holistic. For more on offensive security roles, see red team vs blue team explained.

• Is automated pentesting enough?

No. Automated tools can find simple bugs, but they miss complex logic flaws. Human testers provide real‑world attack simulations. Clutch reviewers emphasize that DeepStrike’s manual testing found critical vulnerabilities that were previously overlooked. Use automation for routine scans, but always pair it with expert manual analysis for real assurance.