Introduction
As technology grows, the increasing threat of cyberattacks has forced business owners and enterprises to include the most powerful option to avoid this mishap. This process can be completed with a simple initiative, such as conducting regular penetration tests seriously. So, if you also own a system or are looking to develop one, then you should focus on securing it in the competitive market. Go for penetration testers for hire who are experts in performing the required testing consistently.
Still, some businesses have a question: Why hire penetration testers, and what is the benefit of hiring them? How much does it cost to hire security testers, and what is the process for hiring them? The answer to these questions may vary according to the scope of your network. Hiring an expert for testing can provide businesses with the best security for the system that they are working on. There are some simple steps that you can follow to hire a good tester for your project, and the cost to hire, therefore, can differ, but an average cost can be as low as $25/hr and can be high as per the requirement.
In this blog, we will cover all the questions related to hiring penetration testers so that you do not have to search anywhere else for details. So, without wasting a single minute, let’s get started!
Who are Penetration Testers: An Overview
Starting with penetration testing is the process of making your project secure from cyber- attacks. The process consists of performing testing for the projects. Moreover, the process is very powerful and necessary to avoid any risk related to the app’s security. However, finding the best-fit penetration testing can be tiring at the same time; thus, go for a company where you can hire penetration testers. Now, what is the work of the penetration tester, and what do they do to make sure your app is working well?
Penetration testers are individuals who are skilled, especially in testing each and every element of the application, so that they can find any loophole related to security. The testers consistently test the app over a dedicated time period to ensure everything is properly working. Penetration testers work by using the same tools, methods, and technologies to attack the system the same way hackers can to determine all the possibilities covered in the testing.
Benefits of Hiring Penetration Testers for Businesses
Now that we know what penetration testing is and who penetration testers are, we can look at the benefits of hiring penetration testers for your business. In this section, we have tried to mention all the advantages, have a look.
Identify and Prioritize Security Risks
Organizations can prioritize and reduce security risks to strengthen their systems against assaults by using penetration testers to assess their capacity to secure their app networks, endpoints, and other potential security threats.
PS: Penetration testing can help you find security flaws that internal security teams and open-source, free tools frequently overlook.
Data Compliance
These days, almost every nation has its own set of data privacy regulations that companies must follow. Penetration testing can assist you with this. In order to avoid any financial or legal consequences, a penetration tester may assist you in strengthening security and securing data, which is essential for compliance.
Additionally, frequent third-party penetration testing demonstrates to the auditors that your company already follows the necessary security best practices.
Uphold Brand Reputation
The majority of companies still release their apps without testing despite the fact that they are aware of the significance of penetration testing. Eventually, this results in data breaches, which cause customer data to be lost and damage a brand’s reputation.
However, employing a penetration tester will help you avoid this. Before real hacker strikes, a pentester will extensively examine your application for flaws that you can address. By doing this, you can safeguard your application, lower the likelihood of data breaches, and preserve the reputation of your company.
Steps to Hire the Best Penetration Tester
Hiring a Penetration Tester for your company can be one of the most crucial steps to secure your systems and data. The right penetration tester can help identify vulnerabilities and strengthen your security posture. In this section, we have mentioned some simple steps to make it easy for you to hire the best penetration testers.
Define Your Requirements
Determine the extent of the penetration testing. This can include testing web applications, internal networks, external-facing systems, or mobile applications. Decide whether you need a one-time test or ongoing engagement. Specify the type of penetration testing you need.If your organization is required to meet specific standards (e.g., PCI-DSS, HIPAA, GDPR), ensure the testers are familiar with these regulations.
Look for Qualified Penetration Testers
While not mandatory, certifications demonstrate a solid foundation in ethical hacking. Look for certifications like:
- Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
- Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP)
- Certified Penetration Testing Engineer (CPTE)
- GIAC Penetration Tester (GPEN)
Look for testers with a proven track record in conducting penetration tests, particularly in the areas relevant to your needs. Ask for case studies, references, or reports from past engagements. Depending on your needs, you may require testers who specialize in specific domains, such as network security, web application security, cloud security, or mobile security. Research online reviews, testimonials, and feedback from previous clients. Check their reputation in the cybersecurity community or on platforms like LinkedIn, GitHub, or security forums.
Review Testers’ Approach and Methodology
Ensure the testers follow industry-standard methodologies. Verify that they use a structured approach, including:
- Information gathering (reconnaissance)
- Vulnerability analysis
- Exploitation
- Post-exploitation (e.g., pivoting, persistence)
- Reporting and remediation guidance
Ensure that they follow ethical hacking guidelines and avoid causing any damage to your systems or violating laws.
Check References and Past Work
Reach out to previous clients to ask about their experience with the penetration tester. This will help gauge their professionalism, reliability, and effectiveness in identifying and remediating vulnerabilities. Ask to see past reports to assess the quality and clarity of their findings.
Conduct a Pilot Test
If you’re unsure, consider asking for a small-scale pilot test on a limited portion of your infrastructure. This will give you insight into their skills and approach. Secondly, if you have other options as well you can compare all the candidates capabilities.
Evaluate Communication Skills
Penetration testers must not only be technically skilled but also able to explain complex issues clearly. Evaluate their ability to:
- Report vulnerabilities in a non-technical way (for non-technical stakeholders).
- Provide clear remediation guidance.
- Communicate during and after the test to ensure timely resolution of issues.
Conduct Interviews
Assess the candidate’s technical knowledge with questions or practical tests, such as:
- How would you perform a vulnerability assessment on a given system?
- How do you stay current with new hacking techniques and tools?
- Can you explain a recent security issue you discovered and how it was remediated?
Gauge their ability to work under pressure, adhere to ethical standards, and communicate effectively with your internal team.
Cost of Hiring Penetration Testers
When you are opting to hire dedicated development team of testers for security assessments, the cost can vary significantly depending on several factors. The cost of these services can depend on the geographical location, the experience of the pen testers, the type of testing required, and other hidden or unforeseen costs that may arise during the engagement. Understanding these factors can help businesses and organizations plan their budgets and make informed decisions.
Geographical Location
The geographical location of the pen tester plays an important role in determining the cost of the services. Penetration testers based in regions with a higher cost of living, such as the United States, Western Europe, or certain parts of Australia, typically charge more for their services compared to those in regions with a lower cost of living, such as Eastern Europe, India, or Southeast Asia. This price difference is influenced by factors like local wages, demand for cybersecurity services, and the cost of living in the region.
Here is a table summarizing the penetration testers’ hourly rates by region.
| Region | Hourly Rate Range |
|---|---|
| North America | $150 – $300+ |
| Western Europe | $150 – $300+ |
| Eastern Europe | $50 – $100 |
| India | $25- $50 |
Experience and Skill Level
The experience and expertise of the pen tester are crucial determinants of cost. A highly experienced penetration tester or a specialized team with certifications like Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP), or any other will command higher fees than a less experienced tester. Experienced pen testers are better equipped to find sophisticated vulnerabilities and provide more comprehensive recommendations to fix security gaps.
Furthermore, penetration testers who have worked on a variety of complex systems tend to charge higher rates due to their ability to handle challenging scenarios. Secondly going for hire remote developers can also differ the pricing of the overall project. So very carefully go for hiring a team or developer from a reputed organization.
Type of Testing
The type of penetration testing required can have a direct impact on the overall cost. Penetration testing can be broadly categorized into different types, each with varying levels of complexity and time commitment. These include:
- Network Penetration Testing: Focuses on assessing vulnerabilities in an organization’s network infrastructure, such as firewalls, routers, and network devices.
- Web Application Penetration Testing: Tests for vulnerabilities in web applications, identifying weaknesses in software code, authentication processes, and user inputs.
- Social Engineering: This method simulates phishing or other manipulation tactics to evaluate how well employees handle security breaches.
- Wireless Network Penetration Testing: This involves testing wireless networks to identify vulnerabilities related to wireless encryption protocols or unsecured Wi-Fi access points.
- Physical Penetration Testing: Tests how vulnerable physical security measures are, including access control systems and office security.
Hidden Costs of Penetration Testing
While the upfront costs for penetration testing are more transparent, hidden costs may arise. These include:
- Re-testing and Remediation: After vulnerabilities are identified, organizations often need to pay for retesting once issues are fixed.
- Time and Resource Allocation: Internal resources, including IT staff, may need to allocate time to assist testers, adding indirect costs.
- Consulting Fees: Some organizations may require further consulting services to interpret test results and provide remediation strategies, adding additional expenses.
- Post-Testing Support: Ongoing support to monitor and fix vulnerabilities found during testing can be an additional cost, especially if the organization needs to build or improve their security infrastructure.
How Can DHP Help in Hiring Penetration Testers
Developerperhour is one of the leading outsourcing companies. It has more than 250 developers from diverse fields who can help with multiple projects for different clients. When hiring penetration testers, there are a few steps that one needs to follow. Hiring Penetration testers from DPH, on the other hand, can be easier; you just need to focus on the four simple steps.
- Reach Us and Discuss your Requirements
- Sort the Appropriate Candidates
- Take Interviews
- Onboard and Start
If you are having any issues with this process, contact our team of experts today to clarify your doubts and get started with the testing.
Final Words
In the end, hiring penetration testers for your company can be different from one to another, but we have tried to mention all the necessary steps to make it easy. However, if you are still facing issues, you can contact our team of experts and hire dedicated developers. In addition to that, we also tried to cover the cost of hiring, benefits, and other things that are necessary for someone to know everything about penetration testers. Thus, it may also differ according to the organization’s requirements, so get your quote today from a reputed company like DPH.
