Question 1

How often do we need a penetration test?

Accepted Answer

Most regulated frameworks expect at least an annual penetration test, plus a retest after any significant change to the application or infrastructure. PCI DSS, SOC 2, and HIPAA assessors all look for a recent report, so most mid-market teams run one yearly and again after major releases or migrations.

Question 2

What is the difference between a vulnerability scan and a penetration test?

Accepted Answer

A vulnerability scan is automated and lists potential weaknesses without confirming whether they are exploitable. A penetration test adds skilled humans who chain findings, prove real impact, and rule out false positives. Auditors and cyber insurers usually want the tested, validated report, not just raw scanner output that nobody has triaged.

How much does a penetration test cost in 2026?